He grunted.
Luc’s muscles seized, his fire cold. “I’d like to tell you why they believe I wasn’t hurting Dex or any of you through him that day.”
Ollie shivered, and he swallowed audibly before saying, “Fine,” his voice tight.
Cool water seemed to slither down Luc’s spine. “Dex is my mate. I was drawn to him at the coffee shop where he works. I swear, I had no idea you two were connected. I stayed in Shearwater Landing once I sensed our bond forming. Otherwise, I would have left.”
Ollie remained still for a long moment, then shook his head like he was trying to dislodge the knowledge from his brain. “No. That can’t be true. Dante, you actually believe this?” He looked at his mate, betrayal in his eyes.
Dante ran a hand through Ollie’s hair. “I believe him. Dex and Luc are mates.”
A strange, high-pitched sound emanated from Ollie, and he whipped around to face Luc. “So what? You want my permission to mate with Dex? That’s not up to me.”
Luc’s heart clenched, his pulse slowing until he was lightheaded. “No, it’s not. It would be Dex’s decision. But I’m not here to smooth things over so I can mate with him. I’m not asking you to tell Dex to call me or agree to meet with me. I’m here to tell you that I’m not mating with Dex. I never planned to, even before you saw us that day. He told me about his parents.”
Ollie seemed to deflate, his posture sagging, emotion ripping across his face too fast to read. Dante pulled him close, and Ollie seemed to melt into his comforting touch.
“You’re going to let Dex die?” Harper asked, his tone harsh against Luc’s oversensitive nerves.
“Don’t say it like I’m dooming him.” Luc gritted his teeth, forcing his temper to remain in check. “If this weren’t a colossal mess, I’d have eventually told Dex the truth about magic and the afterlife, and let him decide. But I know what he’d choose. He wouldn’t pick eternal life over the alternative, even if he didn’t hate me.”
“Th-then why are you here?” Ollie’s voice wobbled. “Why tell me Dex is your mate if it doesn’t matter. This isn’t fair. I wanted Dex to have a mate, but I didn’t wantyouto be the one for him.”
Ash leaned forward, catching Ollie’s attention. “It makes more sense for Dex to be Luc’s mate than any other demon. Harper brought all four of you together to match the four of us.But, you’re right. It doesn’t seem fair. I can’t believe a mate wouldn’t choose to form the bond.”
“Maybe he will,” Ollie said desperately. “Maybe he’ll want to stay with us.”
Luc dropped onto the ottoman beside Ollie. “Do you really think that?” he asked gently.
Ollie closed his eyes. “No. I told Dex about magic so he’d know his parents were out there. He’s not giving up the chance to see them. He needs it.” Ollie’s eyes popped open. “There has to be another way.”
Luc pulled back, not realizing how close he’d leaned. “Another way for what?”
“To keep Dex with us. He’s supposed to be, isn’t he? That’s how all this fate stuff works.”
Luc shook his head. “No, fate wouldn’t force Dex into something that’s not best for him, and I won’t allow it to.”
Ollie blinked in shock. Letting go of Dante’s hands, he leaned forward. Closer to Luc. “You want everyone to forgive you, don’t you?”
It was Luc’s turn to be surprised. “Of course, but I don’t expect you to.”
“Yeah, well, you’re supposed to be part of the group. Even after all the shit that’s happened, that’s what this means.”
“I don’t know if we want him,” Dante grumbled.
“No, but that could change. We’re all going to live forever. Who knows what the next century will bring?” Ollie’s gaze sharpened. “If I forgave you and told Dex it was okay, he’d give you a chance.”
“I appreciate that, but how could you ever forgive me? Dex won’t believe you’re suddenly okay with him dating someone who attacked you. And you can’t tell him we’re mates. That’s for me and him to discuss.”
Ollie frowned. “I want to argue, but fine, I won’t tell him. You still need my support if you ever want to see him again.”
His support? Ollie would give it?
Luc braced himself. None of this changed the fact that he couldn’t bond with Dex, but maybe he could still be in Dex’s life. “How would I get your support?”
“Fix it. Fix everything and make it so Dex can mate with you and still go into the Eternal Realm to see his parents. That way, he can stay with me, with our group like he’s fated to, and he can heal from his trauma.”
“Fix everything?” Luc laughed, sounding more like a bark. His insides seized painfully as bitterness burst forth, sarcasm lacing his tone. “Why didn’t I think of fixing my mistakes? I should have realized the Fallen and their mates deserve to return to the Eternal Realm. It’s so simple.”
