CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Watching Nicole go is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. I wanted to ask her to stay. I wanted to beg her to stay. I still wonder if she would have stayed if I asked.

But I couldn't do that to her. It would be too dangerous. It would be too selfish. So, I have to let her go.

As I walk through the forest, I think of her though. I think of her beautiful smile, her laugh, the secrets she shared with me during our days together.

Our days together were some of the best days of my life. It was so peaceful being able to spend time with her in the forest. Going on walks together was much better with her than by myself. And I know she's my mate. I know we are meant to be.

In that way, our days together were a certain kind of torture. Because I saw a glimpse of the future we could have. I saw what our life could be like together. And I saw that we might never have that.

We might be able to have that though. I'm not sure. It's difficult to know. I want to at least try.

That's wh