Page 47 of Knot Like Other Girls

We grapple in the narrow alley, trading blows and snarls. Some distant part of me knows this is wrong, that Troy's my packmate, my brother. But I can't stop. I need this. Need to feel something, anything, other than the crushing weight of my own existence.

"Cole! Troy! Fucking stop it!"

Savva's voice cuts through the chaos, sharp and commanding. I freeze, my fist pulled back for another strike.

And that's when I smell it.

Caramel coffee.

Rich and warm and...

Bella.

I turn slowly, my chest heaving, to find her standing behind Savva. Her green eyes are wide with shock, her hand covering her mouth.

She's seen me.

The real me.

The monster I try so hard to keep caged.

Shame washes over me, dousing the flames of my rage. I stumble back, my back hitting the brick wall.

"I..." My voice is rough, barely recognizable. "I'm sorry. I didn't..."

But what can I say? That I didn't mean to attack my packmate? That I'm not the violent, scarred freak they all see?

It would be a lie.

And I'm so fucking tired of lies.

Bella takes a step forward, her hand reaching out. "Cole, are you okay?"

Her scent washes over me, stronger now. Caramel coffee, yes, but also something else. Something that calls to the deepest, most primal part of me.

Mate.

My scent match.

What I've been desperately trying to ignore.

I press myself against the wall, trying to put as much distance between us as possible. "Stay back," I growl, but it comes out more like a plea.

No. No, no, no.

This can't be happening.

Not again.

Not another fucking omega.

Bella hesitates, hurt flashing in her eyes. "I just want to help."

"I don't need your help," I snarl, even as every cell in my body screams for her touch. "I don't need anyone's help."

Savva steps forward, too, his eyes hard. "Cole, we're going back to the penthouse. Now."

I want to argue, to run, to do anything but go back to that gilded cage with its artificial scents and fake smiles. But I'm outnumbered.

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