I shouldn't have come back.
But something about the way they looked at me…
I needed answers.
The hallway was quiet as I approached the door.
Voices slipped through—low, tense.
I froze.
"There's no doubt about it," Kai said.
My heart skipped.
"She's our mate."
The words hit me like a slap.
So I didn't imagine it.
"Then we reject her."
Leo.
Cold. Final.
My chest tightened instantly.
"You think it's that simple?" Evan's voice came next, quieter… but sharper than before.
"It is," Leo replied. "We don't need her."
Don't need me.
My fingers curled slowly at my sides.
"She's not even supposed to be here," Leo continued. "This shouldn't have happened."
Something inside me cracked.
I pushed the door open.
All three of them turned instantly.
Their expressions changed the moment they saw me.
Shock.
Annoyance.
Something darker.
"Say it again," I said, my voice quieter than I expected.
Silence filled the room.
Leo didn't hesitate.
"We're rejecting you."
My breath caught—but I didn't let it show.
Not this time.
"Good," I said.
That got their attention.
Kai frowned. "What?"
I took a step forward, lifting my chin.
"I said good," I repeated. "Because I don't want you either."
The lie burned in my chest.
The bond pulsed harder, like it was fighting me.
But I refused to let them see it.
For a second, no one spoke.
Then Kai let out a short, disbelieving laugh.
"You don't want us?"
I met his gaze without backing down. "Not even a little."
His eyes darkened slightly—like my words irritated him more than they should have.
Leo, on the other hand, looked completely unfazed.
"Then this won't be a problem," he said.
Something about how easy he said it…
It hurt more than anything else.
Evan's gaze hadn't left me.
Not once.
"Are you sure about that?" he said quietly.
Leo's expression hardened. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Evan didn't answer immediately.
His eyes flicked to me… thoughtful.
"I mean," he said slowly, "if none of us care…"
He stepped closer.
Too close.
"…then why does it feel like we do?"
The room went still.
My heart slammed against my chest.
Leo's jaw tightened. "Control yourself."
Kai scoffed under his breath, running a hand through his hair.
"This is messed up," he muttered.
I swallowed hard.
I couldn't stay here.
Not like this.
"Go ahead," I said, forcing my voice steady. "Reject me."
Leo didn't move.
A second passed.
Then another.
But nothing happened.
My chest tightened again.
"What's wrong?" I asked quietly.
Kai's gaze snapped to Leo.
Evan didn't look surprised.
And for the first time…
I saw it.
Hesitation.
My breath hitched.
Because in that moment, I realized something none of them wanted to admit—
They couldn't do it.