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Shaking my head, I find my clothes and dress as quickly as I can. The faster I get out of here, the better. Even knowing that, I can’t help pausing in the doorway to look back at them. They look so happy right now, but once they wake, they’ll be devastated.

Am I doing the right thing? Or am I just doing the only thing I know how to do?

No. I can’t worry about how they’ll feel when they wake up. I need to get away while I can.

I stumble into the seating area, my lungs constricting and pain coursing through me with every step I take away from them. I’m almost to the door when I see the pen and pad of paper on the table.

Without a thought, I change course. I scribble out a quick note, not knowing if it’s going to help or hurt things, but I can’t leave without saying something. I just can’t.

Audrey and Brenden,

I’m sorry. I never should’ve let this happen. Know it’s not either of you but me. I didn’t mean to hurt you, but I know I will. If I allow this to continue, it’ll just be worse. I’ll ask Wraith to reassign me to one of the other horsemen, so you never have to see me again.

Be happy.

Nex

It’s harder than it should be to force myself to stand up and walk away.

This is the best choice.

No. It’s the only choice.

I was meant to live a miserable life, but I wish I hadn’t dragged them down with me.

I should’ve stayed away.

Chapter Twenty-nine

Audrey

Iwakeupwithasmile on my face.

Holy shit.

It finally happened. I slept with my last mate—well, Brenden and I slept with him.

I wasn’t lying when I told him I wasn’t ready to forgive him—that he’d have to earn that—but I can’t bring myself to regret last night.

“Audrey, wake up.”

My eyes pop open at Brenden’s shaky voice. I sit up as he climbs across the bed and shoves a piece of paper in my face. I grab it from him but don’t bother looking at it yet. No, I’m too focused on the anger and tears on his face.

“What’s wrong? What happened? Where’s Nex?”

He shakes his head. “Just read it.”

Assuming he’s talking about the paper he shoved in my face, I glance down and immediately recognize Nex’s handwriting. My stomach drops, already knowing I’m not going to like what it says.

I read over it once, then again and again. The words don’t change, no matter how much I wish they would.

Lifting my gaze to Brenden’s, my eyes fill with tears. I can barely make him out as my mouth falls open and a wail springs free.

Brenden pulls me into his arms, and we hold one another as we fall apart.

I don’t know why I didn’t see this coming. I should’ve. The writing was already on the wall.

I should’ve listened when he said there would be no happy ending for us.