Picture of Maxwell's wolf, Baxter on top.

Grace looked at Blake with wide eyes, "Mate." She whispered back, utterly starstruck. They gazed into each other's eyes, unable to look away, forgetting about the world that surrounded them. I felt the strong bond between them, a connection that made them one. This is the strength of the mate bond. No words needed to be said, I understood that they were meant to be together and yet I could not help but feel jealous, hurt and dejected. Ignoring all the calls of my name, I backed away from the mates and everyone else on the field, tears blurred my vision as I ran as fast as I could, deep into the forest, away from everything. Just because I understood does not mean that I fully accept it. Not yet.

"Evangeline! Wait!" I heard someone call out. I turned around in midst of running to see Xavier chasing after me, "Leave me be Xavier, I want to be alone." Xavier shook his head and replied adamantly and stubbornly, "No, I'm afraid I can not do that. I will not leave you, not in that state. I am your mate, let me make up for all the times I did not comfort you." His words made me stop, I turned around, heart beating fast, "Okay."

We sat under a tall sycamore tree, a small distance between us. "Evangeline, I know it's hard but, Blake and Grace are meant to be together. They are mates and nothing can change their fate to be together." It was a weird situation, this was the first genuine conversation with Xavier and to be honest, I did not know how to feel about it. I did not know what to make of it but I knew he was willing to try to comfort me and make up for the past and I did not have it in my heart to refuse. I scooted further away from him, still feeling a little bit uncomfortable about this foreign situation, before speaking, "I know Xavier...but it still hurts. After I ran away, he saved me. He was there for me when no one else was." I stuttered out. Xavier turned to face me, he looked ashamed, "I know and I am happy he was there for you. This may sound harsh, but you guys are not mates and cannot continue to be together. How do you think Grace would feel?" I sniffled and wiped a stray tear away, "I knew that this day was going to come...I just did not expect it so soon." Xavier sighed, "It was bound to happen and I'm sure you knew that perfectly well."

We sat in silence before Xavier decided to speak, "Look, Evangeline. I was the worst of mates and no matter how many times I apologize, it will never be enough, but I...WATCH OUT!" All I could hear were rounds of shots fired, a deafening and terrifying sound that left me frozen in place, like a deer caught in the headlights. An agonizing scream brought me back to reality. Warm, crimson liquid mixed with silver dripped onto my body as Xavier fell limp onto me, unconscious and yet he was still shielding me with his whole body, protecting me in case another round of bullet rain down on us. A bullet dripping with silver had planted itself into his shoulder as he leaped in front of me, I ignore the searing pain of where the drops of silver had dripped onto my arm and leg and focused on Xavier. "Xavier!" I screamed out while using my free hand to shake him, panicked tears cascading down my face, "Please wake up. Come on! Don't do this to me!" I begged. Suddenly, I abruptly stopped talking, falling into a harsh silence as I heard the familiar deep voices of the hunters, "Boss! I got her! I shot the white wolf!" I heard quick footsteps approaching us and I knew I needed to think fast in order for Xavier and myself to survive. With haste, I used my werewolf strength to lift an unconscious Xavier over my shoulder and sprinted as fast as I could towards the direction of the pack house.

"Quick you fools, she's getting away!" the boss yelled out.I gasped for breath as the extra load slowed me down but did not dare look back. I pushed harder and ran faster than I had ever run before, determined to get both Xavier and me to safety. Slowly, their voices fell mute to my ears as the distance between us grew. The rush adrenaline coming to an abrupt end as I collapsed on the front lawn on the pack house. The drops of silver on my arm and leg took effect as I felt myself getting weaker and drowsier. I dropped Xavier onto the ground before in turn, blacking out, a single tear running down my face as the last thing I saw was my mate's face.

"Come, Evangeline, wake up. Please just wake up." I felt a warm hand my cold one. I complied with the pleas, my eyelids fluttered open after multiple tries. Almost instantly, darkness enveloped me again, "Too bright." I rasped out. "Evangeline?! Oh my god, you're awake! Hang on little one, let me shut off the lights." I felt the warm hand, that I knew belonged to Blake leave me, he was the only one that called me "little one." I heard the flicker of a light switch. My eyes fluttered open for the second time and this time they stayed that way.

I glanced around and saw Charlotte, Jamie, Jake, Maxwell, Blake and Grace surrounding my bed, all had worried looks and the girls had tears and bloodshot eyes. I slowly struggled to sit up, Blake rushed over to help me but I pushed his hand away, still hurt and not wanting to make his mate jealous. Blake retracted his hand and looked down sadly. Charlotte helped me instead, slowly placing her hand on my lower back, stabilizing me as I sat up. When I was all propped up, I asked the only question that has been lingering in my mind, "Where is Xavier?"

Jake smiled sadly at me, placing a gentle hand on my own for comfort, "He's in urgent care right now, Evangeline. The silver spread to almost all his body, he is in critical condition right now. He just came out of an intense surgery and it was successful but we don't know when he will wake up from his coma." I felt a pang in my heart, even though Xavier acted cruel and heartless at first, in the end, it was he that comforted me. At the end of the day, despite everything, I could simply not deny that he is my mate. "I...I...He...saved me...I...I..." I stuttered, unable to form proper words as shock registered in my brain and fear rippled through my body as my heart sank to the pits of my stomach. I already lost Blake, I can not lose my mate too. Charlotte placed a gentle hand on my forearm, "It will be okay Evangeline, Xavier is strong and an Alpha, he will pull through this. Now as for you, you'll be fine too, Nurse Lucie gave you the antidote on time and your werewolf healing speed up the healing process. Your arm and leg should be healed completely by tomorrow. You need to rest until then Eevee."

At dusk, my pack left me to rest, but I knew I could not sleep a wink without checking on Xavier first. I managed to get Jamie to tell me his hospital room number before she left: ICU1505, second floor. I carefully pulled out the IV hooked to my arm, careful to avoid touching the thick bandage wrapped around it and sat up, a painful head rush immediately making me fall back into the pillow. I gripped the side of my bed and stabilized myself before trying again. The second try, I managed to sit up fully. I slowly stood up, gripping the side table corner as my vision blurred and my world spun. I waited for my body to stabilize itself and my vision to clear up before taking my first stumbling step towards the door. Then another. And then another. Gradually, my legs got used to the feeling again and walking became easy, the pain in my leg became dull after each step I took. At a slow pace, I made my way down the empty hallways to the elevators. Pressing the second floor, I felt the whoosh of the elevator as it made its way up, defying gravity. A ding indicated its arrival. I stepped out and searched for ICU1505, walking down the empty, long, and eerily quiet hallway. I stopped in front of the door and softly knocked once before creaking open the door.

The sight made me want to turn back, it was a heart-wrenching sight. Xavier laid in the middle of various machines all hooked to him. The constant beeping of the heart machine was the only indication that he was still alive. Thick bandages wrapped around his shoulder and torso. His ocean blue eyes were shielded behind closed eyelids, eyes that I was afraid I'd never get to see again. His face was as pale as a cloud, and his light blond hair flopped on his face, his ashen lips slighting agape. I cautiously approached his bed, afraid to hurt his fragile state with any sudden movements. I sat down the on the plastic chair and gently took his cold hand in my own. I rubbed my thumb over his hand, trying to send him some of my warmth, before laying my head on the bed. That was when I let it all out, trembling and whimpering, I cried like a child, my heart aching with every sob. "Why Xavier, why did you take that bullet for me? Why?"

I felt faint hand squeeze before a deep familiar voice rasped out, "Because you are my mate."