"That's what I'm afraid of."
He reaches across and takes my hand. "I can handle the Council. I can handle Chase. What I need to know is if you canhandle this." He gestures between us. "Being claimed publicly. Being mine. Everyone knowing."
I think about what that means. Walking around campus with his claiming bite visible. Students staring. Faculty whispering. Sera Whitlock's inevitable fury. Chase Valemont's increased scrutiny.
His Dominion brothers will have opinions too. The same males who tormented me for weeks, who watched Caspian treat me like prey, who probably bet on how long I'd last before breaking. Now I'm their Alpha's mate. The shift feels surreal.
Not that long ago I despised every single one of them. Hated Caspian most of all. And now I'm sitting in his quarters wearing his shirt and his claiming bite, talking about our future like it's inevitable.
And underneath it all, Julian. My secret mate who will have to watch me wear another male's mark and pretend it doesn't tear him apart.
"I can handle it," I say, and I mean it. "Can you handle knowing I'm not only yours?"
Jealousy flares through the bond before he locks it down, sharp and hot. "You're Silverpelt. Four mates. I knew that going in." He leans closer. "But I'm the one everyone will see. My mark. My public claim. And that has to be enough."
The possessiveness in his voice should bother me. Should feel like too much. Instead it sends warmth spreading through me.
"Yours first," I agree. "But not only yours."
"I know." He kisses my knuckles. "Doesn't mean I have to like sharing."
We finish breakfast and I reluctantly admit I need to go back to my dorm. I can't wear his shirt around campus without everyone knowing exactly where I've been.
He walks me to the door and kisses me one more time. His mouth is hot and demanding against mine, tongue sliding deep while his hands grip my hips hard enough to bruise. When he finally releases me we're both breathing hard.
"Come back tonight," he says against my mouth.
"Caspian..."
"I know you have Julian. I know you're not just mine." His hands grip my hips. "But I just claimed you and I'm not ready to let you go yet. One more night. Please."
The please breaks me. This dominant Alpha male asking instead of demanding.
"Maybe," I say. "We'll see."
His eyes flash with frustration but also understanding. "I'll take maybe."
His smile is worth it.
I leave his quarters and step into the hallway. It's nearly noon now and students are between classes. The moment I emerge from the Alpha wing, conversations stop and everyone turns to stare.
I can feel their eyes on me. On the claiming bite that's visible above the collar of my borrowed shirt. On my disheveled hair and how I'm walking, slightly sore from last night.
They all know exactly what I've been doing and who I've been doing it with.
I'm halfway down the corridor when Sera Whitlock "accidentally" bumps into me. Hard enough to make me stumble.
"Oh, sorry," she says, voice dripping false sweetness. Her eyes immediately lock onto the claiming bite on my neck. "Didn't see you there."
Two of her friends flank her, blocking my path. They're all staring at the mark.
"That's quite the... accessory," Sera continues. Her smile is venomous. "Though you should know, you're not the first girl Caspian's brought back to his room. Won't be the last either."
"Is there a point to this, Sera?"
"Just friendly advice." She steps closer. "Claiming bites can be broken. Bonds can be rejected. All it takes is the right pressure in the right places and that permanent mark isn't so permanent anymore."
One of her friends laughs. "She thinks she's special because he bit her. How cute."
