Page 37 of Knot Like Other Girls

I snort, then quickly disguise it as a cough when I see Cole's head turn slightly in my direction. [You've been watching too many bad movies.]

[Hey, a girl can dream. Speaking of dreams... maybe you'll have some good ones tonight?]

I feel my cheeks burn. [Skye!]

[What? It's a valid question! You're surrounded by a pack of gorgeous alphas. It'd be weirder if you WEREN'T having some... interesting dreams. Especially after being trapped with Braxley all the time. And isn't he the one who asked you how you feel about "opening the relationship"??]

She sends a few puke emojis.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to will away the images her words conjure up. Strong hands, piercing eyes, the phantom sensation of lips on my skin... Nope. I can't go there. I'm engaged, for God's sake. Even if it's not official yet. Even if the thought of actually marrying Braxley makes me feel sick to my stomach.

Even if I do feel an unexplainable pull toward these alphas.

And she's right. He is the one who asked if I'd be okay with him sleeping around. Said one thing leads to another at enough parties that it would be unreasonable to expect him to never "make a mistake." I didn't even know what the hell to say to that.

So maybe I don't feel too bad about my mind going there.

My phone buzzes again, mercifully dragging me out of my spiraling thoughts.

[Girl, I can practically hear you overthinking from here. Get some sleep, okay? And if you happen to snap any candid pics of our hot bodyguard squad, you know where to send them~]

I roll my eyes, but can't help the small smile tugging at my lips.

[No pics, but I'll keep you updated if anything interesting happens.]

[It better! Sweet dreams, babe. Try not to drool on your pillow thinking about all that alpha goodness surrounding you.]

[GOODNIGHT, Skye.]

I shove my phone under my pillow, pointedly ignoring the quiet chuckle I swear I hear from Savva's direction.

I burrow deeper into my nest of blankets, trying to find a comfortable position on the couch. It's still better than sharing a bed with Braxley, but sleep feels impossibly far away. Every nerve in my body is hyper-aware of the two alphas in the room with me.

Savva's presence is oddly soothing, the quiet rustle of pages turning as he works on his Sudoku puzzle a comforting white noise. But Cole is a live wire, crackling with tension even in his stillness. I can feel the weight of his gaze on me, though every time I peek out from under my blanket, he's staring resolutely out the window.

What happened to him? The scars, the white hair… he can't be much older than me, but he carries himself like a man who's seen too much, lived through horrors I can't even imagine.

I want to reach out more, but I know it would be unwelcome. He's made it clear he wants nothing to do with me. And I still have no idea what I did wrong. Unless he thinks I'm a shallow asshole like Braxley.

I don't know why that stings so much.

This is ridiculous. I need to freaking sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day of Braxley preening for the camera while the pack installs security measures.

But every time I close my eyes, all I can see are them.

The alphas of the Vanguard Pack.

CHAPTER 13

BELLA

Iwake with a start, my heart racing and my skin flushed. The remnants of my dream cling to me like cobwebs, hazy images of the Vanguard Pack's hands all over me fading as consciousness takes hold. For a moment, I'm disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings sending a spike of panic through me.

Then reality comes crashing back.

The penthouse.

Braxley.

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