Page 76 of Knot Like Other Girls

No matter how much I might want to.

"It's even helped with my horrible scar," Braxley continues, setting down the jar with exaggerated care. "As you can see, this cream has restored my face to its former glory."

He bats his eyelashes and I swear I physically feel my blood pressure spike. Judging from the way Cole's lip is curled more than usual, he feels the same way.

As Braxley saunters toward the adjoining bathroom, I notice he's left his phone on the makeup table, screen lit up and unlocked.

I normally wouldn't snoop, but something about the way the notifications are pinging rapid-fire makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. And it is my job to know what the hell is going on with this guy. Before I can talk myself out of it, I'm moving toward the table, eyes scanning the screen.

What I see makes my blood run cold.

It's a dating app. One I recognize from some of our seedier protection gigs. And there, clear as day, is an active conversation with a woman on an app called AlphaBabes. The latest message pops up as I watch.

["Hey stud, we still on for tonight?"]

Kiss emoji and all.

The roaring in my ears drowns out everything else. All I can see is red. All I can think about is Bella. Sweet, beautiful Bella, who deserves so much better than this cheating piece of shit.

Before I can stop myself, before I can even think about the consequences, I'm moving. The bathroom door slams open under my hand, the wood splintering around the lock.

Braxley yelps, spinning around with a jade face roller still pressed to his cheek. "What the fu?—"

I don't let him finish. My hand closes around his throat, slamming him back against the tiled wall hard enough to rattle the expensive artwork hanging there. He squeaks in terror, eyeswide as saucers as I lean in close, a growl rumbling deep in my chest.

"You fucking bastard," I snarl, my voice barely recognizable even to my own ears. "How could you do this to her?"

Braxley's hands scrabble uselessly at my arm, his designer nails leaving red welts on my skin. But I barely feel it. All I can focus on is the pathetic excuse for an alpha in front of me, the one who dared to betray our omega.

Our omega.

The thought only fuels my rage. Bella isn't even mine—isn't ours—to defend. But at this moment, that distinction means nothing.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about!" Braxley chokes out, his voice high and reedy with fear.

I lean in closer, close enough that I can smell the expensive skincare products oozing from his pores. "Don't. Lie. To. Me." Each word is punctuated by a tightening of my grip. "I saw your fucking app. You're cheating on Bella."

Something flickers in Braxley's eyes.

Guilt? Shame?

No.

It's relief.

Like he's glad the charade is finally over.

"It's not a big deal!" he gasps, still struggling for air.

For a moment, I can't breathe. Can't think. Can't do anything but stare at this pathetic excuse for an alpha who's treating the omega who's trapped in a relationship with him like she's nothing more than a prop in his perfect life.

My vision goes red around the edges. The alpha instincts I usually keep carefully leashed roar to the surface.

I want to hurt him.

Want to make him suffer for every moment of pain he's caused Bella.

Want to?—

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