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Deciding I don’t want anything to do with him right now either, I take a step toward the stairs, intending to follow my mate. His head snaps up, his eyes imploring me, and I fucking hate it.

“Please, Brenden,” he begs. “If you listen to me, then she will. I know I fucked up. I know I have a lot to make up for, but if she won’t even allow me to be around her, then I can’t do that. Help me, please. Let me make it up to you and to her.”

I shake my head. “Begging the other person you broke to help you is a little desperate, Nex. Until Audrey says otherwise, you’re to stay away from her. Beseeching me to help you will not go the way you think it will. Audrey’s the only person who matters in this situation. What she says goes. Whatever decision she comes to, I’ll stand behind. I won’t jeopardize my relationshipwith her for anything or anyone. That’s something you never understood.

“Without Audrey, there was never going to be anything between the two of us. When I still thought you were redeemable, I allowed things to grow between us, but I don’t care that we’re fated mates. I don’t care that you rejected me. I care that you hurt her—that you broke her. If she never forgives you, then neither will I. Maybe try begging one of her other mates for help, but I don’t think you’ll find a warmer welcome with them.”

Tears stream down Nex’s face, and I tilt my head as I watch him. I don’t think he’s faking, which is interesting but changes nothing.

“Please, Brenden…”

“No.” I march over to him, jerking his head up by the chin until he meets my eyes. “You will stay away from Audrey and me. You won’t be given another chance to hurt her. If she decides she wants you back, then and only then will I consider it. She is my world, and you tried to break her. There’s no world in which I can be okay with that.”

Releasing him, I step back as he collapses to the floor, sobs wracking his body.

It’s kind of pathetic if you ask me.

I glance over my shoulder to find Cassian, Donovan, and Wraith watching me warily.

“I’m joining Audrey. I’ll run us a bath so she can relax, and then we’re going to sleep. Make sure he’s gone before you join us. I don’t trust him in the house while we’re sleeping.”

Wraith nods. “I’ll make sure it’s done.”

“Good.”

I don’t bother glancing at the sobbing incubus again as I stalk across the floor toward the stairs. The sounds follow me up the stairs, and I know I should care that I caused him pain, but I can’t.

Not only can’t I feel anything, but after the way he’s hurt Audrey, he deserves to hurt. He’ll be lucky if he makes it out of this alive if he continues to bother my firecracker with his presence.

She might not want him dead now, but that could change at any moment. I’ll gladly take care of him for her—fated mate or not, Audrey will always be my number one priority.

I might have told Nex that I would stand behind whatever decision she makes—and I will—if she chooses to forgive him, I don’t know if I can.

But that’s a worry for another day.

Now, I want to help my firecracker relax and unwind before bed. Everything else can wait until morning.

Chapter Nine

Audrey

“Nothing here either,” Cassian says with a huff before another book hits the table.

I snort, rolling my eyes. “Lucifer already told us that there were only three ways to remedy rejected mate syndrome. I don’t know why you keep looking through books that are just going to tell you the same damn thing.”

“Lucifer doesn’t know everything,” Donovan argues, and I shrug.

That might be true. I have no idea. I’ve met my father once and spent a few hours with him. I’m definitely not the best judge of what he might or might not know. But it feels like he was telling the truth.

Brenden’s arms tighten around me, and I bury my face in his neck.

Neither of us are doing well.

It’s been over two days since we last saw Nex. I don’t know if the others said something to him after I left or if he’s just taking me at my word, but he hasn’t shown his face since then. I also know that’s going to change.

Lucifer called this morning to let us know the first war council was being held tonight. I wish he would’ve given us a few more details before hanging up on my mate, but I get the feeling he does nothing he doesn’t want to do.

I run my nose along Brenden’s neck before nipping at his skin. I’m not trying to start anything with him—let’s just say that being rejected by your mate puts a damper on your libido—I’m just trying to get a reaction out of him. Something. Anything.