Page 43 of Knot What I Expected

So is he.

Some kind of Shifter, though I don’t immediately give enough of a shit to figure out what kind.

He’s weak.

That much is obvious.

Submissive enough that my natural dominance hits him like a fucking freight train the second I stop holding it back.

The air around us changes. Power rolls off me in a silent wave. Not something I consciously summon.

It’s simply there.

True Alpha.

Monster rises inside me, massive and merciless, and for once I don’t shove him down.

Because this male made Gabriella uncomfortable. Because he looked at her like she was something on the fucking menu. And because now he’s standing between me and the female every instinct I possess is screaming at me to protect.

His pupils dilate. His shoulders drop. His gaze averts.

The hand he’d been stupid enough to raise lowers slowly.

I watch his throat work as he tries to swallow.

Good.

“Y-you’re⁠—”

My eyes burn hotter.

He shuts the fuck up.

Smartest thing he’s done all night.

I lean closer.

“You don’t talk to her. Ever.”

Behind me, Gabriella sucks in a breath.

Maybe I shouldn’t have said that.

Actually, I definitely shouldn’t have said that. I have no right to tell another male who can and can’t speak to her.

But Monster is too close to the surface, my dominance is riding me too fucking hard, and all I can think about is the discomfort I saw in her eyes.

“O-okay,” he whimpers.

The male reaches for his jacket.

Then he leaves.

Just fucking leaves.

Skedaddles, actually.

I watch him go, Monster practically preening inside me.