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He nods. “Of course not. I want to offer you another option. You can complete the mate bond with him without forgiving him. It might be hard to live with being bonded to someone you can’t trust, but it’s better than the alternatives. I’m not saying you need to make a decision now, but I wanted to make sure you had all the options available to you.”

“Please tell me we can cook something,” Wren begs as she rushes over to join us. “I’m starving, and I have to cook in this kitchen. And don’t tell me it sits here and is never used, or you’ll break my heart.”

Lucifer chuckles. “I enjoy cooking from time to time, and my chef uses it when I’m not. I promise I didn’t add it just to look good. Why don’t we cook something together?”

When his questioning gaze lands on me, Wren laughs. “Yeah, it’s probably better if Audrey just watches. She doesn’t have the patience to cook.”

“It’s true.” I shrug. It’s not like I have a problem admitting to my faults. Or at least some of them.

I don’t mind waiting for someone else to cook me a delicious meal, but I hate having to be patient while being the one doing the cooking. I can pop something pre-made into the oven and warm it up with no problems, but if I have to stand in the kitchen waiting for something to sauté?

Yeah, it’s probably going to end up burned because I bumped up the heat and scorched it.

“Well, that’s just fine. You can sit at the island, and we can chat while Wren and I do the cooking.”

And that’s exactly what we do. The two of them have a blast, and I can see the two of them growing closer in front of my eyes. Part of me is jealous, but as with every other emotionbeyond the despair of the rejected bond, it doesn’t last long.

They put together a garlicky pasta that’s divine, and at least my appetite isn’t affected by the damn rejected mate syndrome.

Once we’re done eating, Lucifer glances at the time and groans. “I guess I should get you back to the academy. I’m surprised your mates haven’t come crashing through my front door yet.”

I try to cover up my yawn as I nod. “That sounds good. I think I need some sleep, anyway.”

“Then, off we go.”

Shadows wrap around me, and a moment later, I’m standing in my living room with my glaring mates. Not that they’re glaring at me but at Lucifer.

“Thank you for showing us your home and cooking with me,” Wren says as she wraps her arms around Lucifer, who looks shocked before he hugs her close.

His eyes meet mine over her shoulder. I can see he knows I won’t be giving him a hug, which is good. I don’t know how differently I would react to getting to know him if I was myself, and I wish things could be different.

Just because I don’t need a dad doesn’t mean I don’t want one.

I just can’t right now. Something I think he understands.

“I brought my daughters back in one piece.” Lucifer smirks as his eyes rove over my mates—including Nex.

Ugh. Why is he still here? Can’t he get a hint?

“I appreciate you not breaking down my front door to find her,” he continues.

Wraith nods. “If you’d kept her much longer, I don’t think I could’ve held them back. You’ll let us know when you’ll be meeting with the others?”

“I will. Good night.”

Just like that, he’s gone.

I turn to Wren with a tired sigh. “Do you want me to shadow walk you back to your dorm?”

“No, I could use the fresh air.” She starts for the door, hesitating. “I guess I won’t be staying in the dorms anymore since I graduated.”

Wraith’s smile is tight. “Usually, you’d be given a week off and moved into one of the reaper buildings. I’m not sure how we’re going to handle everything, but for now, stay in your dorm. We’ll worry about that tomorrow or the day after. There are a lot of changes coming, and Ineed to figure out how to make it work before worrying about where graduates are going to stay.”

“Perfect. Thank you, Wraith. I’ll see all of you tomorrow.”

Then it’s just me and my mates—including the unwanted one.

Fuck. I really just want to go to bed.