Cole's pov
“What the hell, Cole?! Did you have to use me, of all people? You know how much I hate that word, and you know how much I despise this kind of filth!” Matt’s voice erupted as soon as we got into the car. He slammed his fists against the steering wheel—once, then twice—as if that would somehow help him process what just happened.
I stayed silent, letting him vent. I didn’t blame him. Matt wasn’t just anyone—he was a man of principles. Someone who had no tolerance for infidelity or anything that strayed outside the mate bond. And I had dragged his name into it like it meant nothing.
“Matt, I know. I know. I’m sorry, really,” I said, my voice low, trying to keep the guilt from bleeding too much into my tone. “I just… I lost my cool, okay? I wanted her to—”
“To suffer in the be
