Page 68 of Knot Like Other Girls

As I walk back to the guest wing, my mind reels with new information. The blackmail, Heather's obsessive behavior, the shooting in Spain—how do they connect? And how can we use this to free Bella from this sham of an engagement?

Because at the end of the day, other than keeping her physically safe, that's what matters most to me. To all of us.

I'll do whatever it takes to give Bella the life she deserves. The freedom to choose her own path, to find her own happiness.

Even if that path doesn't lead to us.

The thought sends a sharp pain through my chest, but I push it aside. There's work to be done. Mysteries to unravel. An omega to protect.

And time, as our mysterious blackmailer so helpfully pointed out, is running out.

CHAPTER 21

BELLA

I'm curled up on the couch, trying to lose myself in a book, but the words keep blurring together. My mind is a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Exhilaration from my training sessions with Liam, confusion over my growing feelings for the Vanguard Pack, and guilt every time I think about Braxley.

He's off with Savva right now. I'm tempted to eavesdrop, but I don't give in. It's kind of nice to have some time to myself to just decompress anyway. Time away from Braxley bugging me about needing a trim even though it's only been a week since I saw the stylist.

"You wouldn't go a week without a shower," he'd said. As if a stylist and a shower are remotely comparable.

Guess in his world, they are.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulls me from my book, but when I look up to see Roman, his golden-hazel eyes intense as always, I'm hardly disappointed. The rest of the pack follows behind him. Even Cole is lurking in the shadows at the back.

"Bella," Roman says, his deep voice sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. "We need to talk to you. It's important."

Well, that doesn't sound good.

I set my book aside, sitting up straighter. "Of course. What's going on?"

They arrange themselves around me, their sheer presence almost overwhelming. Roman takes a deep breath. "We've uncovered some information about a potential threat. To both you and Braxley."

My heart rate picks up. "What kind of threat?"

Savva steps forward, tablet in hand. "There's a woman named Heather who's been leaving concerning comments on Braxley's social media. We believe she may be involved in the assassination attempt in Spain."

My stomach drops as I take in Roman's words. The reality of our situation comes crashing back, shattering the fragile sense of peace I've been cultivating over the past few days.

"What... what kind of comments?" I ask, hating how small my voice sounds. I clear my throat and try again, stronger this time. "What has she been saying?"

Savva's fingers fly over his tablet, pulling up screenshots. "At first glance, they appear to be standard fan comments. Lots of heart emojis, gushing praise. But there's an underlying current of possessiveness that's concerning."

He turns the tablet so I can see, and I lean in, scanning the comments. My eyes widen as I take in the increasingly aggressive tone.

My soulmate <3

Why are you ignoring me? haha

That omega doesn't deserve you. She'll never love you like I do.

I swallow hard, a chill running down my spine. The last comment hits a little too close to home, though not for the reasons this Heather probably thinks.

"Has she... has she said anything about me specifically?" I ask, not sure I want to know the answer.

Troy clears his throat. "There was one comment on a photo of you and Braxley at some charity event. She, uh... she called you a slut. And used a knife emoji."

I flinch at the words, even as a part of me wants to laugh hysterically. If only she knew how far from the truth that was. How I've been doing everything in my power to avoid being intimate with Braxley.

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