Chapter 8 Nate's Pov

• "I can’t believe I would never get a chance to make things right with her. Despite everything, I still end up being the one waiting for her to wake up so I can apologize for everything I have put her through.
• As I stood vigil beside Layla’s hospital bed, the soft beeping of the machines and the antiseptic scent of the room seemed to close in on me. The healers’ dire prognosis echoed in my mind like a death knell: “She will not make it through the night.” My thoughts were a jumble of anguish and regret as I replayed the memories of how I had treated her.
• I remembered when Hannah had first returned and I had given her the first rude shock of her life.
• “Who is she?”
• She had asked one time after seeing me talking to someone on the phone. When she saw it was Hannah, she looked at me as if I had done something wrong.
• “Why were you talking like that to her?”
• “Why do I need to explain myself to you? Know your place, woman. I am the Alpha! I do what pleases me.”
• I remembered the look of hurt and betrayal on Layla’s face, the way she had cringed away from me, her eyes welling up with tears. And I remembered the feeling of satisfaction I had gotten from asserting my dominance over her.
• But now, as I looked at Layla’s fragile form, I realized the gravity of my actions. I had been so blinded by my own ego and pride that I had hurt the one person who had truly cared for me.
• “Freddie, I...” I started to say, my voice cracking with emotion.
• But Freddie just shook his head, his expression a mix of anger and sadness. “You should have thought of that before, Nate. You should have thought about how your actions would affect her.”
• I nodded, feeling the weight of my guilt bearing down on me. I knew I couldn’t undo the past, but I could try to make amends. And I could start by being there for Layla, by supporting her in her time of need.
• “Layla, I’m so sorry,” I whispered, taking her hand in mine. “I was so wrong to treat you the way I did. Please forgive me.”
• Oh, the weight of my mistakes! If only I had recognized Layla’s radiance sooner, if only I had cherished and supported her instead of pushing her away. The what-ifs swirled in my mind like a maelstrom, taunting me with the possibilities of what could have been.
• I felt the sting of tears as I gazed upon Layla’s fragile form, her beauty marred by the tubes and machines that struggled to keep her alive. My heart ached with deep sorrow, as I realized that I might lose the one person who had ever truly understood me.
• In that moment, I would have given anything to turn back the clock, to undo the hurt I had caused, to be the rock she needed me to be. But fate is a cruel mistress, and all I could do was stand there, holding her hand, and praying for a miracle.
• As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway, his eyes blazing with anger.
• “You did this, Nate,” my wolf, Rex, chided, his voice low and venomous. “You and your selfishness, your inability to see what was right in front of you. You pushed her away, time and time again, and now look where she is.”
• I knew he was right. I had no defense, no excuses. I had hurt Layla, and now she was paying the price.
• I was going to apologize, but the look of anger Freddie, who was standing beside me, gave me made me direct my words to him instead.
• “Don’t even try to apologize, Nate,” he interrupted, his voice rising. “You had your chance to make things right, and you blew it. Layla deserved so much better than you.”
• I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as tears began to form. I knew I had let Layla down, and now I might lose her forever.
• “You’re right, Freddie,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I was blind to what I had. I was selfish and stupid, and now...now I might lose her.”
• Freddie’s expression softened slightly, but his eyes still held a hint of anger.
• “You need to wake up, Nate,” he said. “You need to realize what’s truly important. Layla needs you now, more than ever. Don’t let your pride get in the way of saving her.”
• I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me. I would do whatever it took to save Layla, to make up for my mistakes.
• “I won’t let her down again, Freddie,” I promised. “I’ll do everything in my power to save her.”
• Freddie nodded, a small smile on his face.
• “I’m guessing you know what the last option is right now, don’t you?”
• “I do, but I have no idea if she is willing to let me take it yet. I have to try.”
• I closed my eyes as I mentally prepared to take her pain. It was something werewolf Alphas could do to other people. Take the pain of others, even if it was one of death.
• As I reached to take her hand, Hannah barged in and angrily slapped my hands away.
• “Do you have a death wish? You would give your life for that?”
• “Anyone who hears you now would think you actually want me to live.”
• “So you also believe that was poison? I just wanted us to have a good time together, that’s all.”
• “Whatever, this is not the time for a showdown with you now.”
• “What if you die?”
• “If you had paid more attention back in class, you would know that taking others' pain can never kill an Alpha.”
• “But she is your mate, and that would make you...”
• “Yes, that is right. Our bond will be on another level, and however you want to see that, I am prepared to do that. Now, if you have more questions, stay out of my way.”
• “But, Nate, you cannot let her live after what I told you about her.”
• “There is absolutely no word that comes from your mouth that I want to listen to right now, and as a matter of fact, I will deal with you when this whole matter settles down.”
• “Alp...”
• “Stay out of my way!”"