Page 232 of Knot What I Expected

Monster fucking explodes.

Kill.

The word slams through my skull.

My claws threaten beneath my fingertips.

I force them back.

Not because those motherfuckers don't deserve them. Because Gabby's sitting on my lap. Because she needs Rowan right now. Not Havoc. Not Monster.

Me.

My arms tighten around her.

“Did they hurt you?”

Her silence is enough. Red bleeds across my vision.

Kill them all.

Yeah. We're gonna come back to that.

“I-I suppose some would say I was lucky because I got matched to their Alpha. Their King.”

My stomach turns.

“His name?”

Her whole body jerks.

“It’s Ethan,” she tells me after a beat.

I tuck that bit of info away.

“He's Matteo's father.”

It isn't a question, and Gabby nods in response.

Monster's growl gets so loud it vibrates through my chest.

She feels it and stiffens. Immediately, I press my lips to her temple.

“That’s not aimed at you, Honey Girl.”

Her breath leaves her.

“Rowan?”

“I swear. Never at you, Gabby. Please, keep talking to me.”

“Well, he—he was sweet at first,” she whispers. “Or I thought he was.”

My hand moves slowly up and down her back.

“Then he wasn't.”

Of course he fucking wasn't.