Chapter 17
blair
On the way to the dean’s office, I keep touching my new mating bonds without thinking, my fingertips brushing the sensitive skin, a little shiver running down my spine each time.
People are already staring as we walk across campus toward the admin building.
Whispers follow us like a wave. I catch snippets—“Is that Reyes?” “Wait, are those bites?” “Holy shit, he’s mated to both of them?
”—and instead of shrinking I feel a stupid, possessive grin spread across my face.
I love it.
No one has ever wanted me enough to say mine in a way the whole world could see. And now I’m walking around with two claiming bites like a walking neon sign that says taken by the two scariest, hottest Alphas on campus. I tilt my head a little on purpose, letting the bites show off a little more.
Sol slips her hand into mine without a word and I grin, shuffling a little closer, my shoulder brushing hers.
Roxie throws an arm around my shoulders from the other side and presses a kiss to my jaw, right above the bite she left last night.
Her lips linger there, before dipping lower to graze the edge of the mark just enough to make me shiver.
“Mine,” she murmurs against my skin, low enough that only we hear it.
“Both of yours,” I answer, voice a little rough. The bond flares between us, my own giddy disbelief mixing with their happiness until I feel drunk on it.
We’re maybe halfway to the admin building when we bump into a laughing trio coming the other way.
Parker Ellis lights up like she just won the lottery.
She’s flanked by Arlo and Fox, her two massive Alphas looking every bit as mated and smug as I feel right now.
Parker squeals loud enough to turn heads and throws her arms around me in a crushing hug before Roxie can even react.
“Blair!” she squeals, squeezing me tight.
“I haven’t seen you since you saved the baseball team.
How’s the... wrestling going, right?” Her eyes dart to Roxie, her smile widening.
“I knew something was going to happen after you dropped twenty grand on—” She pulls back, her eyes landing on the two very obvious, very fresh claiming bites.
Her mouth falls open as she notices not just Roxie, but Sol also. “Wait… isn’t that your coach?”
I shrug, still grinning like an idiot, and tug my collar down a little further so she can get the full view. “So?”
Parker stares. Arlo lets out a low whistle.
Fox just raises an eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching like he’s trying not to laugh.
Parker snorts. “Blair. Seriously? That’s not even the same league.
Even Milo—I don’t know if you met him—but he at least mated the coach’s daughter. But the coach?”
I laugh, my grin taking up my whole face. “There’s no rules here at Knotlocke, Parker. Besides, it’s too late to go back now. And I wouldn’t want to anyway.”
Roxie’s arm tightens around my shoulders, a tiny possessive growl rumbling in her chest. I glare at my Alpha, her growl turning into a soft purr that runs right down my spine.
Parker’s eyes flick between the three of us, taking in Sol’s hand still linked with mine, Roxie’s arm around me, the matching bites on my throat. Her grin turns wicked. “Where are you three off to looking like you just got claimed in the middle of the night?”
Sol’s voice is dry as she answers. “The dean is growing a conscience. Excuse us.”
Parker bursts out laughing as we keep walking. She calls after us, “Good luck! And congrats—you look stupidly happy, Reyes!”
I flip her off without looking back, but I’m still smiling. Though, by the time we get to the dean’s office at the end of a long hallway, the smile has waned a bit.
The dean is already waiting when we walk in.
He’s red-faced, the way he always gets when he thinks he has the upper hand.
Two other administrators sit beside him, looking equally uncomfortable.
The second we sit down, his eyes lock on my throat.
He pinches the bridge of his nose like we personally ruined his morning.
“There were reports,” he starts, “about a heat spike on the mats yesterday. During a dual meet. That is unacceptable, Coach Vega.”
Sol lets out a little sigh. “I can keep it under wraps. We’ll remain professional on the mats. My personal life stays out of the program.”
The dean’s face gets redder. “You know damn well this creates optics issues. Power imbalances. More complaints have been filed since I talked to you last time!”
I lean forward before I can stop myself. “Who is actually sending in the reports? Is it my dad?”
The dean sighs, looking suddenly tired. “We had a mention from your father when you first transferred, yes. But no—the last two complaints came from a faculty member at another school. Apparently, word travels fast.”
Roxie’s voice cuts in. “How is that even relevant? We’re all consenting adults. Blair is bonded to us. End of story.”
The dean looks at her like she’s a problem he can’t solve.
Then his eyes slide to Sol. “Now that he’s bonded to you, he’s your problem.
Keep him in line. No public heats. Nothing that ends up on my desk again.
” He turns his glare on me directly. “If you’re nearing your heat, you sit out of the next meet.
I will not have the gym turned into a madhouse, even if you’ve paid for half the mats in it. ”
I nod, plastering on my sweetest, most sarcastic smile, and give him a lazy little salute. “Yes, sir.”
Roxie grabs my hand under the table and squeezes hard enough to warn me.
I feel her growl through the bond to behave which just makes me want to do the opposite.
Sol’s lips twitch like she’s fighting a laugh.
Keeping me in line is going to be like trying to keep a fire in a paper bag, and we all know it.
Sol speaks again. “We’ll handle it but maybe stop letting other schools dictate how you handle these.
.. issues.” The dean opens his mouth but she just shakes her head.
“I happen to know of several public stunts over the last several months, none of which you’ve seemed to have a problem with or disrupt student life for. ”
The dean waves a hand like he’s done with us. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.”
Roxie stands, smoothing her hands down her shirt before pulling me to my feet. I’m still grinning when we step back into the hallway.
“Think he’s going to have an aneurysm before the end of the semester?” I ask cheerfully.
“Let him try,” Roxie mutters.
I lean into both of them as we walk back out into the courtyard, Sol gently wrapping a hand around the back of my neck and twisting me to look up at her.
“No public heats, Blair.” My eyes widen a fraction as I find a retort, her lips meeting mine for a brief moment.
“I mean it. Even with the suppressants, I know you’re trying to think of a way to fall apart in public. ”
I shake my head. “Not really my kink, coach. However, if you give me the opportunity...”
She squeezes my neck a little tighter as Roxie starts laughing. “No. Absolutely not.” She pauses. “Not until after you graduate.”
I can hold her to that.