Chapter 8 Three days later , Simon and I drove back from Moonlight Bay . We were on our way to our new home when we ran into Mason . He looked wrecked . The shadows under his eyes were purple , and it was obvious he hadn't slept since the night of the ceremony . The moment he saw me , his dim eyes lit up again . Cora , listen to me ... " He tried to grab my hand . " Let go ! " Simon stepped in front of me , his expression darkening . " Please , give me a minute , " Mason pleaded . I sighed and pulled my hand free . " You get three minutes . We're leaving after that ." Mason suddenly dropped to his knees . His forehead hit the pavement with a dull thud . " I'm sorry . This is all my fault ... I remember now . I remember everything ... " His hands shook as he pulled a ring from his pocket . " Do you remember ? I said I'd wait forever for you . " The Blue Moonstone glinted in his palm . The sight of it turned my stomach . All I could see was that stone pinned to Serena's dress like a trinket . " Mason , do you remember what you promised ed me in the hospital ? " He nodded hard . " I promised you a lifetime of happiness . " I looked at the ring he'd just ripped off Serena's gown . Did you keep that promise ? " " L .. I can , " he pleaded . " Please give me one more chance . Let me make it right . " His eyes were bloodshot , and tears spilled over til I shook my head with a tired smile . " I gave you chances , but you wasted them . And now you regret it ? Do you really think I'll wait for you ? " He crawled closer and clutched my ankle . " It was my fault . Just give me one last chance . I'm begging you . " I looked at him indifferently , feeling nothing at all . " Once you miss your chance , there's no going back ." I took Simon's arm and walked away without looking back . That night , Mason tried to drown himself in whiskey . His friends stayed by his side , taking turns trying to talk him down . " Move on . Cora won't forgive you , so just let her go " " If you want to try , get her something special . " " Special how ? " " Comething money can't buy Mason snapped his head up , suddenly lucid , " I'm going to Moonlight Bay ! I'll find the Moonlight Gemstone ! " They stared at him " You're out of your mind ! The Moonlight Gemstone is just a legend ! " Mason grabbed his jacket and headed for the door . " I'll try , no matter what it takes No one stopped him . He'd done this to himself " Chapter 8 +25 BONUS Before he left town , he called me . " Cora , you always wanted the Moonlight Gemstone . I'm going to find it for you . If I do , will you forgive me ?" he sobbed . " Mason , don't you get it ? This isn't something a gemstone can fix , " I said calmly . " No , I won't ask you to come back . I only ask you to forgive me , " he said . " That isn't going to happen . " With that , I hung up . Mason went alone to Moonlight Bay and searched for three days and nights . On the fourth day , the rogues that haunted the woods found him first . Mason recognized them as the rogues who had attacked him before . Their eyes glowed green from the brush , sharpened by hunger . He knew he stood no chance , so he ran . But the rogues were faster , hemming him in . This time , I wasn't there to shield him . The rogues closed in , their teeth tearing into his flesh . Mason slowly closed his eyes . " I owe Cora this . Maybe if I'm gone , she'll forgive me , " he thought .