Felton’s fingers dig in harder, a last desperate show of dominance. And I can’t keep in the gasp of pain. “She was mine first. By contract, by right?—”
“I don’t give a fuck about your contract.” Beau’s voice drops even lower, into a bark laced with so much dominance that it makes me want to bear my neck, and the menace in it makes my Omega whimper.
He doesn’t stand down—his posture is still aggressive, still coiled tight with violence—but he does release me, shoving me away from him hard enough that I stumble.
I run.
Straight into the outstretched arms of Jake, who catches me against his chest like he was made to hold me. His scent wraps around me immediately—chocolate and warm spices trying to cover the wrongness Felton left behind—and I cling to him like he’s the only solid thing in a tilting world.
And then Charlie is there too, like Prince Charming riding in to slay the dragon. He stands next to Beau.
“I’ve got you, baby,” Jake murmurs against my hair. “I’ve got you.”
Over Jake’s shoulder, I see Beau take another step toward Felton, and the look on his face is beyond fury. It’s cold. Calculated. Deadly.
“If you ever touch her again—if you so much as look at her again—I will kill you. Do you understand me? I will end you.”
It’s not a threat. It’s a promise.
These men would kill for me.
The realization settles into my bones with a weight that’s both terrifying and comforting. I’ve never had anyone willing to stand between me and danger. Never had anyone look at my attacker with the kind of lethal intent that’s radiating off all three of them right now.
Felton’s hand points in my direction, looking straight at me, and the look he gives me is pure poison. “This isn’t over.”
“Yes,” Beau says through a growl. “It is.”
For a moment, I think Felton might actually throw a punch. His whole body is coiled tight, his scent sharp with aggression and humiliation. But he’s one Alpha against three, and even in his rage, he knows those aren’t odds he can win.
“You’ll regret this,” he spits, backing away. “All of you.”
Then he’s gone, disappearing into the crowd, and suddenly my knees give out.
Jake catches me before I hit the ground, sweeping me up into his arms. “I’ve got you, sweet girl. I’ve got you.”
The pack circles around me immediately—a wall of protection, of safety, of home. Beau’s hand cups my face where Felton grabbed me, his touch infinitely gentle despite the fury still burning in his eyes.
“Did he hurt you?” His voice shakes. “Willa, baby, did he?—”
“I’m okay.” But I’m trembling, my Omega in full distress now that the adrenaline is fading. “I’m okay, I just?—”
“Shh.” Charlie presses close, adding his scent to the mix. “You’re safe now. We’ve got you.”
“She needs to get out of here,” Jake says to the others, his voice tight with barely controlled rage.
I try to protest, pushing weakly against his chest. “No— You have— You need to stay. Pictures and interviews—” My voice cracks. “I don’t want you in any more trouble than you already are. Because of me.”
“Willa—” Charlie starts.
“No, listen.” I force myself to look at them, even though my vision is blurred with tears I can’t stem. “You have obligations. Sponsors. Media. You can’t just— You can’t throw everything away because?—”
“Because some asshole put his hands on our Omega?” Beau’s voice is deadly quiet. “Watch us.”
“Please.” The word breaks on a sob. “Please don’t make this worse. You need to be here for pictures and interviews. You can’t—” I look at Jake, pleading. “You can’t afford to cause a scene. Not now. Not when you’re this close.”
“We’re not leaving you alone again,” Jake says firmly, carrying me toward the back corridors where it’s quieter. “Not for a second.”
“Jake, you have— People are—” I try to protest, but my voice is weak.
