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I don’t know if I can survive this.

“I’ve got you, pretty girl. Whatever happened, we’ll fix it. Lean on me. You don’t always have to be the strong one. Let me help you.”

What choice do I really have but to accept his help? I can’t do this on my own, and I don’t want to.

I bury my face in his chest, soaking his shirt, but my hellhound mate doesn’t seem to notice or care as he carries me to the bed. When he sets me down, I let out a cry and reach for him, but he’s already shushing me and crawling up beside me. He wraps me up in his arms, soothing me the best he can as I lose it.

Eventually, the tears stop falling, and I feel empty—oh, so empty. I can’t think, I can’t feel—all I can do is lie here until sleep drags me into her warm embrace.

Chapter Twenty

Cassian

Iflapmywings,eyeslocked on my mate down below. She has no idea that I’m stalking her from the sky.

Why would she?

No one ever thinks to look to the sky for danger.

It’s been nearly two weeks since Donovan called me to let me know Audrey wasn’t in any condition to go on a date with me. He’d had no details to give me, just that she came home early and fell apart in his arms. I wanted nothing more than to rush over there, but he asked me not to.

It had taken all of my willpower to grant his request. Every part of me wanted to be with my mate—especially because we aren’t bonded.

It was days later when Donovan called again. Audrey hadn’t spoken to any of them or gotten out of bed since he last called. It was Wren who told them what happened in Nex’s classroom that day.

As he relayed the story, I could tell how tight of a leash he was holding on to his hellhound. Something I completely understood because as soon as he finished telling me what happened, all I wanted to do was hunt down the demon and tear him to shreds. The only thing that held me back was Donovan reminding me that Audrey couldn’t have me without also having him.

It’s a bunch of bullshit. Why the hell does my fate rely on a man who seems intent on self-destruction?

I’ve messaged her multiple times, but she hasn’t responded. To say I’m not happy is putting it mildly.

When Donovan texted me yesterday to let me know Audrey had finally left the house—it had taken her a full week to get out of the bed—I knew I needed to see her. She might not want to answer my texts, but she can’t ignore me if I am standing right in front of her, now can she?

Which is how I ended up stalking her as she heads back to the home she shares with three of her mates. A home I want nothing more than to share with her, but that’s not going to happen until Wraith hears me out. Until I can get him to forgive me for my idiotic choices.

I smile when Audrey veers off the path and into the woods.

Perfect.

I follow her progress deep into the woods, wondering what she’s doing when she comes to a stop. She throws her head back and lets out a hoarse scream. The sound dies away before she does it again and again.

My heart feels like it will shatter from the pain and anger in that one sound.

Deciding I can’t wait any longer, I dive through the trees. I land quietly behind my mate as her scream falls silent once again.

Audrey stands there panting and has no idea I’m there.

“Oh, little mate,” I murmur, grinning when her head whips around in surprise.

Hellfire flies toward me before she realizes it’s me. It’s coming too quickly, I won’t be able to dodge it—although I’m going to try my damnedest.

Only it stops inches from me before she pulls it back into herself. Her eyes flash purple, almost as if the hellfire takes their place before it’s gone.

“Damn it, Cassian. You shouldn’t sneak up on people like that.” Audrey’s voice is flat, and I’m not a fan. “I need to get home.”

When she takes a step away from me, I rush over to grab her arm and turn her to face me. “Oh, no, little mate. You don’t get to run away from me.”

Her head falls back as she meets my gaze, and all I can see there is the agony she’s fighting to not feel. “I tried to make a clean cut. I’m sorry, but there’s no point in doing this anymore. It’s clear that I will only have three mates. There’s no reason to torture us both by getting closer and then having it ripped away from us.”