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“No.”

The Earth shakes.

I smile. “You're scared again.”

BRIDE BELONGS BELOW.

“Then stop me.”

Nothing happens.

It can't. Not unless I choose.

Holy fucking shit.

I turn toward the three men with my heart pounding in my chest. “This is my choice.”

Ezra immediately understands. “Sage.”

“No.” I point at him. “You don't get to run now.”

His mouth closes.

“I chose Kai.”

Malakai's eyes darken.

“I chose Rhett.”

Rhett steps closer.

“And I have been trying to choose you since the fucking bonfire.”

Ezra's breath catches.

The Harvest growls.

The sound rolls through the Communion field, deep enough to shake the table and rattle the goblets against their plates.

I don’t even look at it.

“This isn’t for you.”

The growl deepens.

I take another step toward Ezra, Rhett, and Malakai.

“And it isn’t because some dead men decided what we were supposed to be.”

The Earth shifts beneath my feet.

I keep walking.

“It isn’t because I’m a McBride.”

Something red catches my eye near the altar.

The ribbon.