Picture of Grace on top.

I drew back my hand in shock, "Xavier?! You're awake!" How is this possible? I thought to myself. It was impossible for a werewolf to recover this quickly from a silver wound if not at all. Silver is fatal and few ever woke up from the coma state it puts you in. Xavier struggled but managed to smiled weakly at me, before croaking out a weak, "Hey." When I didn't answer, still in disbelief that he was awakened, he continued, "You are my mate Evangeline, of course, I would take that bullet for you. I'd do it all over again if it means keeping you safe." I stared at him before my gaze fell to the floor, I muttered a quiet, "Why?" A question that I wanted to ask him for ages, a question that I wanted desperately to know the answers of. Xavier closed his eyes and took a shaky breath before continuing. His voice a low whisper, frail and hushed, "I need to tell you many things, Evangeline. I need to explain everything, you deserve to know why. Please listen and give me this chance to explain myself and apologize. Please hear me out." I looked into his clear sky blue eyes, pleading, sincere and sad, "Okay."

"I regret not treating you like the princess you are Evangeline. You're so beautiful, kind-hearted and the sweetest girl and ever since I laid eyes on you, I fell hard. I fell madly in love with you since the start and I am so damn sorry for not realizing nor showing you that sooner. I was a jerk and blinded by others for so long. I blamed you for something that you did not cause and furthermore, I let the whole pack blame you and hurt you. I let them bully you to no ends, starve you and I did not do anything to stop them. Instead, I made life worst for you when I rejected you and all that because I let my pride get in the way, I was afraid of what the pack will think and selfishly only thought about my reputation. I let myself get fogged by the pain of the loss of your parents and most of all I let my heart wither and blackened, pushing away all the feelings I felt for you and let it fill with dominance and power. All because of my foolish actions, I lost the best thing the Moon Goddess has ever given me. You. I know that you probably hate me Evangeline, and I really don't blame you. When you left this pack, I was so lost, for so long. I did not recognize myself, I hated myself and who I had become. But, something in me kept on hoping that you'd one day come back, so I held on to that hope and tried to better myself. Despite my efforts, I still made mistakes, I should have never let Brittany take advantage of me like that but I was angry. Angry and afraid that you'd never come back. But, but...you did Evangeline. You came back, and now, I am never making those same mistakes all over again. I want a second chance, I'll do anything for one more chance to prove to you that I am worthy to be your mate, Evangeline."

I took a deep breath after I finished saying everything I wanted to tell my beautiful mate for so long. Everything that I kept hidden inside, letting out all of my regrets, sorrows, and anger towards myself. I will never forgive myself for what I had done to her in the past, it is simply unforgivable. She must have been in pain for so long, from losing her parents to her brother and then her mate. She must have felt so alone and it was all my fault. I never gave her the love or respect she lacked, I never comforted her when she was hurt, I never cared for her like a mate should. Instead, I only drove her away, I pushed her away so far that she ran away. I caused an unmendable break in her heart and memories of a past that will haunt her forever. It was all my fault. Overwhelmed with emotions, my chest heaved up and down heavily and tears in the corners of my eyes threatened to fall as I struggled to calm myself down. I did not dare to look at Evangeline and only held her hand tighter, afraid that she would leave me. When my breathing gradually returned to normal, I closed my eyes and bit my lips, afraid of the answer that she will give me, "Will you give me a second chance to be your mate, Evangeline?" When I heard no response, I looked down alarmed and worried, but soon, my eyes softened as I gazed at my sleeping mate. She looks so peaceful, a small smile graced her lips and her smaller, delicate hand was tightly interlocked with my own much larger one. I lifted up my other hand and softly stroked her light brown chestnut hair, cherishing this precious and unforgettable moment together with her. How did I get so lucky to be blessed with a mate like her? As I lovingly admire her angelic face, I promised myself to love her unconditionally and treat her with all the respect a Luna deserves.

, I whispered huskily, before placing a soft butterfly kiss on her forehead.