Lucas reached out and took her hand. “Hey, I’m here.” He wanted to tell her everything was going to be all right, but he had absolutely no way of knowing. This was now up to her father.

They arrived at her house in record time.

He noticed all the flowers had been laid on the lawn.

“It’s nice to know so many people care about him.” She reached down, stroking the leaf of one petal before stepping away. “He will love this and enjoy the attention. This is good for him.” She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. All he wanted to do was swaddle her up in his arms and tell her everything was going to be okay, but he had no way of knowing shit.

This was the hardest thing he’d ever experienced in his life.

They entered her home, and he followed her upstairs toward her parents’ room. She grabbed a bag as he started to look through his clothes, taking several pairs of jeans and shirts and folding them.

“I’ll get some stuff for my mom.”

Together, they packed two bags, and Lucas really fucking hoped they didn’t need to use them.

“I’ll be right back,” Mabel said, disappearing out of the bedroom.

He finished packing, zipping up the bags, and took a quick glance around the room. The scent of the mated pair was heavy in the room. Envy flooded his entire body. All he wanted was for Mabel to accept him and to want to be mated to him. He truly believed they had a real shot of happiness, if she just allowed herself the chance to believe in it. He certainly did.

Mabel still hadn’t returned, so he went to find her in her bedroom. She stood near the window, sobbing into her hands, and he couldn’t stand it.

Rushing to her side, he pulled her into his arms.

“I’ve never known pain like this. I don’t think I can breathe.”

He cupped her face. “You can breathe. I’m here. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.” He wiped away the tears, pulling her into his arms. He couldn’t bear to see her hurting like this. Every single part of him screamed at the unfairness of what was happening to her and wished with all his heart that he could take it away.

“Make me forget, just for now. Please.”

He frowned. What did she want him to do?

She grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down, melding their lips together. Sinking his fingers into her hair, he pulled back.

“Mabel?”

“Please, I need this. I need you. I need my mate.”