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Oh gods.

Fern tried to pull me away, and I jerked out of her hold.

He didn’t want me.

He was wrong.He was lying.We were mates, I knew we were.He just didn’twant me.

Mymatedidn’t want me.

I forced a smile, because that’s what I did.I smiled through the pain, it was how I survived.“I’m sorry,” I said.“I don’t know what I was…sorry,” I said again.“I was confused.I think I…I need to go now.”I stumbled back, my heart pounding hard, so hard I felt dizzy.I looked around me through a red haze.My face was still demon, my eyes, my veins, that’s why everyone was looking at me.Several wolf shifters were holding up their cameras, filming me and laughing.

“Put those fucking phones down,” I heard Relic say.

The crowd closed in, and I lost sight of Jagger.I spun away, running for the door, and tripped in my stupid fucking heels, hitting the ground hard.My bag went flying, all my things, my clothes and toothbrush and all the other crap I’d brought went scattering all over the floor.Boo exploded from under my coat, chirping and flapping above me, terrified.

“Oh, honey,” Fern said, crouching beside me and yanking down my dress that had flown up.There was pain, pity in my best friend’s voice.

The alpha’s mate, Willow, rushed over to help Fern gather my things, as I frantically stuffed everything back in.

I tasted blood.My lip had to be split, and I guessed a couple layers of skin had come off my knee from the old rug.My face burned with humiliation as I scrambled to my feet, calling Boo back to me.He was fragile.Gods, I could have crushed him.He could be hurt.

“You’re bleeding.Come with me,” Willow said.

I shook my head and held my hand out for Boo, and finally, he came to me.I held him close while he trembled against me.I needed to check if he was okay.

Those females, they were still filming, following me, laughing, cringing at the way I looked.I had to get out of there right the hell now.“No, I—I’m fine.Thank you, though,” I said and forced another smile, then spun and ran for the exit, ignoring Fern calling my name as I shoved through the crowd, finally bursting through the door and out to the parking lot.

“You change your mind, babe?”Brick said, walking toward the main doors that I’d just fled through.

I ignored him calling after me as I rushed past and ran to my car.As I started the engine, I tried to catch my breath, dangerously close to hyperventilating.I slid my hand over Boo’s little body, and he chirped softly.If he was in pain, I’d feel it.He’d calmed and, thank the goddess, seemed okay.I dragged in another steadying breath, and when I was sure I wouldn’t pass out, I looked up.A massive hound was outlined in the doorway.

Jagger.

He was watching me.

I stared back, fighting the tears stinging the backs of my eyes.Oh gods, he didn’t want me.Stuff it down.Do not cry.Not again.The tears spilled over.Shit.I was such a damned idiot.I would never, ever allow myself to be that vulnerable again, not for anyone.

Jagger started toward me, striding across the lot.

I threw my car into drive—the engine stalled.

Fuck.I tried to start it again, and nothing happened.I spun back to Jagger and his hand was lifted, aimed at me.He’d used his powers to stop my freaking car.I tried again, but the engine was completely dead.

He strode up to my window, and crooked his finger at me to get out.I didn’t move, I couldn’t.“Sutton, get out of the car.”

I shook my head.

The window came down, all on its own.

I gripped the steering wheel.“I want to leave.”

His big hands gripped the door through the open window.“What the fuck was that?”He sounded pissed off.

I spun to him, my heart in my throat.“I told you, I was confused.Now can you let me leave?”

He jerked back.“Are you fucking crying?”He thrust his fingers through his hair.“Told you I hate that shit, female.”

“I’m not crying because of you,” I lied even though it was humiliatingly obvious.