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“I can’t leave them and I would never expect you to—”

“What? Wait until she died or something?” I scoffed. “Until you couldn’t have the one you really want?”

“I said I would never ask that of you and you know that there is no competition between you two.”

“You’re right. You denied me for her.”

Xavier placed his hand on my thigh and turned towards me. I wouldn’t turn to look at him. I couldn’t.

“Chloe, you’re my mate. There never will be and never could be a competition between the two of you.”

I gulped, inhaling quickly. “So you are going to be with her until you know about the boys? Or what?”

“I am going to stay with her for as long as I can.”

I frowned and turned around to face him. “So you want to be with her?”

“I can’t be with you. So it doesn’t matter who I am with.”

I shook my head. “You are twisting my emotions again, Xavier. You tell me you want me. You tell me you don’t want her. Then you say you will be with her.”

“Do you not think it kills me doing this?” Xavier snapped. “Do you think I really can be with her? Look at her the way I look at you. The way I want to be with you!”

I brought my hands to my head and then shook it lightly. “I wish I had a normal mate.” I dropped my hands and stood up. “I wish Dan was my mate. I wish I had someone who I could be with.”

Xavier looked at me with complete and utter pain. “Chloe, if I could be with you, I would be.”

I let out a scoff. “I don’t believe you.” I began to walk away. “I’m sure you could find another reason not to be with me. See you in class, Mr. Clark. Have a nice weekend with your family.” I stopped and tossed over my shoulder, “And you should wear your wedding ring. You have nothing to hide anymore.”

With that, I picked up my pace. For the first time, I was the one walking away from him.