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CHAPTER 24

Christina's POV

Graham didn't come back that night, and I can't say that I minded. I really needed the space and time to think.

"Christina? Can I come in?" 

My eyes flew open and I groaned, nearly being blinded by the light flooding into the room from the window. 

"Christina?" 

The door slowly opened, revealing-

Cole. 

Yay. 

"Hey, um, I was wondering if you..." Cole trailed off, rubbing his neck nervously. 

"You were wondering what?" I asked, sitting up from the bed. 

"If you, uh... Do you want to do something tonight?" He asked, looking up hopefully.

This surprised me. A lot. 

I was mad at Cole, but with this mate bond and all, I knew I couldn't stay mad at him forever. And sure, I can avoid him, but I am trapped in his house- I really can't avoid him for that much longer. 

"Uh, sure..." I said awkwardly. 

"Really?!" Cole asked excitedly

I laughed, "Yeah, sure."

Cole grinned, then blushed a little, and left.

Hmmm.... I wonder what that was about...

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Cole's POV

Emma was right!

I know I have messed up many times and Christina deserves much better, but I didn't want to give up  on her.

I couldn't give up. 

1 hour ago

"Ian, what am I going to do?" I asked, pacing back and forth in my office.

"Man, you have messed up-"

"I know!" I groaned frustratedly, collapsing into my chair with my head in my hands. 

A couple minutes of silence passed

"Why are you like that to her?" Ian asked

I didn't answer, just looked at the ground. I don't feel comfortable telling Ian the reason why, but he is my beta. I need to. 

"It's because of my mom." I whispered, tearing up a bit. 

"Oh... Cole I-"

"It's fine."

"I'm a little confused though." He stated, shifting a little.

I looked up at Ian and sighed, "Remember when my mom was killed? What my father did? Killing all the rogues helped mask the hurt he felt, but I know how much it hurt him and I don't think I could make it through all that if something happened to Christina." 

Silence.

"So... you're acting like a totally ass to Christina, because you're scared to get hurt?" Ian asked, annoyed. 

I glared at him, "It's not like that-"

"Oh, I'm sorry, you just don't want to go through what your dad went through. Did you ever even think about what you're putting Christina through?" 

I froze. 

"Of course you didn't." Ian snarled, turning to the door. 

"Wait! Ian please!" 

The door slammed in my face. 

"Cole?" 

The door slowly opened. 

"Hey Emma." I said, collapsing back into my chair. 

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," I groaned, "But I think I have a solution." 

My head snapped up and I quickly stood. 

"What is it?" I asked eagerly. 

"Listen, you have messed up many times, no doubt about it, but there is still hope." She paused. 

I nodded, encouraging her to continue. 

"You need to start from the beginning- show her you're a good person. This is like any relationship, you need to start slowly." She told me. 

"So, how should I start?" I asked

"Ask her out, nothing too fancy, just something casual." She explained. 

I nodded my head, showing her I understood. 

"Well, I need to go, but Cole," She said smiling, "good luck. You and Christina will be together." 

I smiled, "Thanks Emma, it means a lot." 

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Christina's POV

I watched Julia and Mandy carefully, waiting for their reactions. 

Silence. 

"This is perfect!" Mandy shrieked, hopping up and down. 

"Are you sure about this?" Julia asked worriedly.

I had just finished explaining to them what happened, and in all truth I was thrown off by Julia's question. 

Could I even trust Cole?

"Of course she is sure about this! Cole and Christina are mates, this is supposed to happen." Mandy stated

"No, I'm not sure about this." I paused, "But I'm willing to take the risk. I can't help but have hope- hope that Cole will change." 

Julia and Mandy gave me sympathetic looks. 

"So what time are you guys going out?" Julia asked, now excited.

"Uh, sometime tonight-" 

"6:30." Cole said, walking by my room, stopping by the doorway.

I blushed and looked down, I bet he heard every word. Mandy and Julia laughed at my embarrassment, and exchanged looks.

"Oh and Christina, pack your bags, you're moving back into my room before tonight." Cole said, smiling and walking off. 

"Oh my god!" Mandy whispered excitedly, bouncing on the bed happily. 

Then I noticed something on Mandy's neck. Weird- Julia has the same mark. 

"Mandy, Julia, what happened to your necks?"

They both exchanged glances.

"Remember when I told you about mates?" Mandy asked 

"Yeah..." 

"Well when your mate claims you, they mark you, and the mark kind of binds you two together." She explained, pointing to the crescent shaped scar on her neck. 

"So Tyler and Ian bit you both?" I joked. 

Biting your mate? Ha. 

"Yeah, that's basically it." Julia said, shrugging. 

"What?!" I asked, shocked. 

"Calm down Christina," Mandy sighed

"But- but, that's just..." I was lost for words. 

Was Cole going to bite me? 

No way in hell. 

"Girl, you should be more worried about what you're going to wear tonight." Julia stated

Holy crap. 

What am I going to wear?!

"Yeah, well first you need to pack." Mandy stated, standing up with Julia.

Ugh, this is going to be a while.

45 minutes

I was back in Cole's room, having fully moved in. Needless to say it was a little awkward seeing Brittany while I moved back in, but at least she was going to Graham's room.

"Hey Christina?"

"Yeah?" I asked, a little shock that she was talking to me.

"Have fun on your date tonight." She said, giving me a genuine smile before shutting the door.

I smiled, and then collapsed on the bed. You would think that Mandy and Julia would have helped me, but no- that would be too hard.

-__- great friends.

3 hours later

"Christina!"

"Ahhh!" I woke with a start

Mandy and Julia stood by the doorway, shocked looks on their faces.

"Your date is in four hours!" Julia shrieked, rushing over to me, pulling me to my feet.  

Four hours?!

"Why arm you waking me up?!" I screamed, struggling to get back to the warm, comfortable bed.

Mandy and Julia exchanged shocked looks, making me feel confused and slightly annoyed. Why did they always exchange these looks?

"Christina, you need to do your hair and makeup, and you need to get ready!" Mandy exclaimed, as if it was completely reasonable to take four hours to get ready.

2 hours later

I had quickly showered and they had straightened my hair, because you know- I can't do that by myself.

Yeah, I was basically a rag doll, incapable of doing anything by myself.

"Okay, almost done with your makeup." Julia told me.

I made sure that she didn't go all out with the makeup, I never really wear any and it would annoy the hell out of me if I had a lot on.

"Okay! Take a look!"

I cautiously looked at the mirror- afraid of what I might see.

"Oh my god..." I breathed out.

I looked amazing!

Julia had used minimum concealer, little lip gloss, but what stood out the most was the brown eyeliner. She made my eyes look more dark, and entrancing. 

Okay, it's official. Julia is my new makeup artist!

"Julia! I freaking love it!" I shrieked, clapping my hands together. 

She smiled, "Good, now time to get changed."

I nodded and looked at the bed, where Caroline had been placing out clothes.

"Now, Christina, if you mess up your makeup while changing..." Julia said, crossing her arms threateningly.

"Okay, okay!" I said, holding out my hands in surrender.  

2 hours later

Yeah... It took that long to pick out what to wear. 

In the end, after being threatened multiple times, I was forced to wear a dress. 

(Picture on the side >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>)

"God, Cole won't be able to take his hands off you!" Mandy giggled, looking me up and down.

"Guys, he wanted to know if I wanted to do something tonight! It's something casual! Please let me change." I begged

Mandy and Julia both gave me stern looks, and I let out a sigh of defeat.

"Christina, are you ready?" Cole asked through the closed door.

"She will meet you by the front door!" Julia called out before I could respond.

Cole didn't respond, I could only hear his retreating  footsteps. 

"Okay Christina," Mandy said, checking my make up. 

"Here." Julia said, holding out my shoes- black pumps. 

I inwardly groaned. 

These girls are really trying to kill me. 

I slipped on the pumps and slowly walked to the top of the stairs, cautiously grabbing onto the railing. 

I made my way down to the front door, eyes on a quiet Cole. Oh god, he probably doesn't want to go out with me! I told Mandy and Julia, this was too much. 

"You look absolutely gorgeous." Cole said, eyes twinkling. 

I blushed and played with the hem of my dress, "Thanks." 

"Let's go," Cole said, holding out his hand, which I gently took, intertwining my fingers with his. 

25 minutes later

We parked in front of the- club?

"Cole, I'm only seventeen." I said

"And?" He asked, eyes twinkling mischievously. 

Oh gosh. 

4 hours later

"Coleeee babyyy!!!! Let's dance some more!!" I sang, grinding my hips against his. 

As you can see, I am drunk as hell- and so is Cole. 

His eyes darkened with- lust.

He wrapped his arms around my waist and crashed his lips to mine. Instantly I gave into him and slipped my hands under his shirt, caressing his toned chest. I felt his hand slip into the side of my dress, feeling me up and down. 

Damn, I am getting so hot right now. 

Cole pulled away, leaving us breathing heavily and staring into each other's eyes. 

"Let's go back home." He murmured grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the club. 

15 minutes later

Cole seriously floored it all the way back to his house, not that a single cop would stop him. He's Cole Mathews- Alpha boy. 

The second we got out of the car, Cole lifted me up, wrapping my legs around him and began kissing me again. Expertly, he carried me all the way to his room, bringing me onto the bed, without breaking the kiss once. 

I pushed him aways slightly, then pulled off my dress, leaving me in my bra and underwear. Like I said before, I am extremely drunk. 

Cole let out a low growl and ripped off his shirt before kissing me again, running his hands all over my body. He pulled away again, but this time, started leaving hot, wet kisses down my body, and back to my neck, where he stopped and stayed. 

He was sucking and nibbling at my neck, making me moan in pleasure. One hand was on my thigh, while the other cupped my breast. 

Oh god, I was getting so hot, I was really about to just rip everything off and fuck him right there. Once again, I remind you, I am really drunk. 

Then I felt it. 

A piercing pain went through my neck, only to be replaced by an overwhelming sensation. I let out a moan and wrapped my arms around Cole's neck, bringing his face to mine before kissing him like no other. 

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Cole's POV

I woke up with a raging headache. 

What happened last night?

I rolled over to my side, then froze.

There was a sleeping Christina, in only her bra and underwear- with a mark on her neck.

My mark.

Oh fuck. 

So much for taking it slow.

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