He stared down at the photograph album he’d created of Mabel while she’d been away. Each photograph told a tale, and while she’d been gone, it had helped him to survive, to build a clear picture of her.

Every single person in town, all the pack, and even a few human civilians, had nothing but nice things to say about the girl he’d bullied. Her sweet, kind nature was so opposite to the way he’d treated her. He’d been cruel while she’d been lovely.

He hadn’t destroyed her, and for that, he was thankful.

“Hey, I got dinner ready,” Mabel said, coming to a stop.

Lucas didn’t close the book. “My dad told you about this.”

“I knew about it before he told me,” she said. “I didn’t know what it was, but he filled in the blanks.”

“You must think I’m some kind of pussy?”

“No, not at all. I think you’re a strong man.” She took a deep breath, coming to sit beside him. “Leaving like I did, it wasn’t nice of me.”

“Mabel, you don’t have to feel guilty.”

“But I do. Look what I did.” She reached out, taking his hand. “I was so angry.”

“You were angry when you found out I was your mate?”

“Yes. What did you think when you knew it was me?”

Lucas frowned. “You won’t believe me.”

She rested her head against his shoulder. “Try me.”

“I was happy.”

“Oh.”

“I’d found my mate. The woman who was supposed to be mine. There was no way I wasn’t going to be happy.” He chuckled. “Men and women go through years if not decades before they find the one. I’d been so freaking lucky because my one was right here, in front of me.” He took her hand, locking their fingers together. “Even when I realized it was you, I didn’t care. If anything, I was so angry with myself for hurting you. It was an instant regret and, at that moment, every single bad thing I said to you was going off on repeat inside my head. I couldn’t control it, but I didn’t hate that it was you. Far from it.” He chanced a look at her saw tears in her eyes. “I don’t mean to make you cry.”

“These are happy tears.”

“They are?”

“I’ve got a lot to be happy about, don’t I?” She licked her lips, and he felt her hand tighten around him.

“I couldn’t bear to let you leave without giving this a chance.” He gritted his teeth and then turned toward her. “But I’ve decided, if you really can’t stand the thought of being with me, we can end this.”

“What?”