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“What’s wrong, Ree?” Wren’s at my side, squeezing my hand.

“Holy shit,” I murmur, trying to wrap my head around all of it.

Wren nudges me. “Audrey, you need to share with the class. You’re kind of freaking us out.”

I shake my head, glancing around at the others. “I want all of you to think back on the fights Wraith and Cassian have had.”

“I’d rather not,” Wraith grumbles, and I glare at him. He just holds up his hands in surrender.

“What about them?” Cassian is trying to be patient, but he doesn’t understand. None of them do.

I sigh, running a hand through my mussed hair. I really should’ve brushed it before meeting with everyone.

Hell, I probably should’ve showered first. It’s too late now.

“Every fight—except maybe the first one—was preceded by some confrontation between me and Nex. Another time, he rejected me or told me he didn’t want me. When he was an asshole or we fought.” I shake my head, hating that I hadn’t seen it sooner. “This is what they were talking about. Something is influencing the two of you every time Nex pulls away and causes you to fight with each other.”

“That can’t be true,” Wraith says with a frown, but I can already see his brain working through it.

Cassian has collapsed back in his seat, face filled with disbelief.

Wren is shaking her head—not because she doesn’t believe me but because she does.

Donovan and Brenden are both silent on the couch, their eyes never leaving me—although Donovan grasps one of Wraith’s hands.

“Damn it.” Still seated, Wraith grabs the lamp on the side table and launches it across the room, where it hits the wall and shatters.

Wren and I both jump at the sound, turning to stare at my mate, who’s buried his face in his hands.

“If this is true,” Cassian begins, “which I think it is—I can see the pattern just as clearly as you can, little mate—how do we combat that? How do we literally fight the Fates? I can’t believe my mom and her sisters are doing this to me. Why are they doing this, and how? They’re sleeping with the other gods.”

Wren hums. “Just because they’re sleeping doesn’t mean their powers aren’t active. If they were awake and coherent, maybe they’d be able to do something about it. But they can’t while they’re sleeping. Or at least, that’s what makes the most sense.”

“I think you’re onto something there, Wren,” Wraith says as he pushes to his feet. “As for how we combat it? I think it’ll be easier now that we know it’s happening. We’re conscious of something altering how we respond to the situation. We might not be able to stop it, even if we know it’s happening, but that doesn’t mean we have to give up.”

I tense when he goes to sit on the coffee table in front of Cassian. I really don’t think I can deal with them fighting right now.

“Okay,” Cassian agrees. “We won’t give up. But what do we do?”

Wraith makes a face before shaking his head. “Yeah, we’re definitely not going to be able to stop it from happening, but we can try to mitigate the damage we cause one another. I think the first step is going to be for me to hear you out finally.”

“Seriously?” Donovan snorts. “You think now is the time to have him come clean? You’re already clenching your fists. You’re never going to be able to listen to what he has to say.”

Frustration rolls through me. Wraith is making a concerted effort with Cassian right now, but is it enough? Or is Donovan right? Will Cassian spill the story just for Wraith to lose his shit on him?

Wraith nods. “Yes, I am clenching my fists because it’s helping me stay grounded. There’s so much anger boiling inside of me right now, but now I know it isn’t of my own making. Yes, I’ve been angry for a long time, but if our lives weren’t being meddled with, would I have already listened and forgiven Cassian?”

Cassian is already nodding along with him. “I can feel the frustration, too. It’s so out of proportion to how I’m feeling. I think Wraith’s onto something here.”

“It’s not going to be just that simple,” Brenden admits. “The two of you can’t be left alone. If one of you snaps, it’ll likely set the other off.”

“This is such bullshit.” I grind my teeth as Wren pulls me into her arms, hugging me close.

She giggles, nuzzling her cheek against mine. “Don’t you remember what Mom always says? Nothing easy is worth having.”

“I always hated that saying,” I grumble with a smile. “She did always say that, didn’t she? So fucking annoying.”

“You said you’d fight for your mates, pretty girl.” Donovan offers me a ruthless smile. “It looks like you’re going to have to do just that.”