The alpha drugged me to forget him

The day Yvonne, Alpha Xavier Slater's adopted sister, was diagnosed with stomach cancer, I got into a car wreck.

I told myself I couldn't die-not yet. If I did, his wolf would snap, tear everything to pieces.

But when I dragged myself out of the coma, I picked up Xavier's scent first-tight-before I heard him talking to his private healer.

"Switch her meds to water. Don't let her recover too fast. And get this drug in her system. Wipe her memory clean."

The healer's voice shook, reeking of fear. "Alpha Xavier, you mean you let Quinn get hurt just to do that stupid reality dating show with your sister? This drug isn't tested. It erases memory, but there's other crap it does."

Xavier's words hit like ice. "Yvonne's dying wish is this show. I don't wanna break Quinn's heart, so wiping her memory's the only way. Once Yvonne's gone, I'll give Quinn the antidote. She'll love me again. If something goes wrong, I'll keep her forever."

What he didn't know? This drug wouldn't erase my memories. It'd yank every bit of love I had for him-and there's no antidote for that.

Three days later, I didn't love him anymore.

After they forced the drug down my throat, Xavier stayed, gripping my hand. His warmth made my head spin, but all I smelled was his lie-sweet, gross.

I kept my eyes shut, tears slipping out anyway.

Xavier panicked, voice soft but sharp, like an Alpha's command. "Quinn, you okay? Hurting bad?"

I couldn't fake it. The drug hit hard, and I doubled over, retching like my insides were tearing.

Xavier rubbed my back, handed me water-so worked up he didn't notice the glass cutting his palm.

Clutching one last thread of hope, I looked up. "Who are you? Who am I?"

His eyes flickered, just a second. "Quinn, you're Yvonne's assistant. My friend. Wreck messed your head, made you forget. I'm here to take care of you."

I laughed bitterly, shoving his hand away. "Save it. I don't need you."

Four years as his mate, two years promised, ready to bond-and all I get is "friend"? What a joke.

Xavier looked shocked, like I'd punched him. I never pushed him away before, not once.

He opened his mouth, but Yvonne burst in, jumping into his arms. "Xavier! One hour apart, I swear I'm gonna die from missing you!"

Xavier caught her-instinct, like he couldn't help it-one arm around her waist, the other holding her head.

Yvonne hung off him, grinning at me. "Xavier, she's supposed to forget, right? Introduce me!"

Xavier ruffled her hair, smiling. "Quinn, this is Yvonne, my sister."

Yvonne pouted, clinging tighter. "Nuh-uh! I'm your mate, remember? You said so!"

"Sure, sure," he chuckled. "My sweet mate, get down-you'll tire yourself out."

I stared, frozen. The old Xavier hated Yvonne. Raised her like a kid, but when she turned eighteen and said she loved him, he couldn't stand her. Moved out, cut her off. When he chased me for four years, finally got me, he sent her to other packs to avoid mess-they hadn't talked in six years.

Was that disgust all fake?

Maybe my face gave me away, 'cause Xavier shifted, uneasy, and started, "Yvonne's sick, and-"

Yvonne cut him off, waving a hand. "Xavier, why blab to my assistant? She doesn't care."

Then she wrinkled her nose, snuggling closer. "Ugh, this room stinks. Probably puked up the drug. Give her more, make sure it works."

Xavier's eyes locked on mine-no doubt. He nodded.

I clutched my stomach, burning. "No. I can't take more. It hurts."

But Xavier didn't listen. He pinned me down, voice hard. "Quinn, be smart. You need this to get better."

He forced my jaw open, shoved the pill in, clamped my nose and mouth so I couldn't breathe. I thrashed-my head wound split, blood oozing. I knew what he feared: I remembered. I'd ruin his stupid show with Yvonne.

Tears hit his hand, and he flinched, like they burned. Finally, he let go.

The drug hit again, worse. My stomach seized, and this time, I coughed up blood.

Xavier stared at the red on the floor, wiping my lips, scared. "Quinn, what's happening? The drug shouldn't do this."

I curled up, holding my gut. Thought: It wouldn't be this bad.

But this drug? From his company. To help him, I snuck in as a test subject. Took it over and over, forgot him each time, then made myself love him again. Each dose made it worse, piling up until I was falling apart.

Now, as I collapsed off the bed, I knew: I was breaking. And so was whatever we once had.

Xavier's hands shook as he swiped at the blood on my face, but it kept spilling-hot, thick. His scent spiked, sharp with panic, like a storm blowing in. "Where's the healer? Get them here, now!"

Yvonne yanked him back, her perfume cloying, mixing with her得意的 smell. "Xavier, she's just an assistant. I pay her enough to cover ten mess-ups like this. She'll sleep it off, forget the pain. Come on-the show's got a pool bit. Help me pick a swimsuit, or I'll pout the whole time!"

Xavier let go of me, no second glance. "Quinn, rest. You'll be fine when you wake up."

He walked away, their footsteps fading, and I let the sobs come-loud, ugly. But Xavier didn't know. I'd taken too much of that drug. My brain wouldn't forget him, but my heart? It was chipping away, piece by piece. In three days, there'd be nothing left.

When I cried myself out, my chest ached less. Then my phone buzzed-Mom.

"Hey, kid, that Rutledge wolf was by again. Asked about forming a bond, same as before. I told him you've got your mate, but he said he'll wait. What's the excuse this time?"

I went quiet. On my screen, a video from Yvonne: Xavier kneeling, holding up a swimsuit to her, his fingers brushing her calf. His scent in the clip-soft, focused on her. I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Mom, don't say no. Tell him I'll do it."

"What? Did I hear that right? You're agreeing? What about that Slater wolf you've been crazy over? Why the switch?"

I cut her off, voice flat. "I'll explain later. Three days. I'm coming home to bond with him."

Three days later, I didn't love Xavier anymore. Not even a little.

They dragged me to the show set before my cuts healed-some low-rent studio in the pack's main square, lights blaring. There they were, cozy on a couch, Yvonne curled into Xavier's side, his arm slung over her shoulders. His smell clung to her, thick, like he was marking his territory.

Xavier held out a camera, his tone casual, like he wasn't gutting me. "Quinn, you're good with this thing. Make sure we look. close. Like we're meant to be."

I took it, numb. I'd learned to take photos for him-to freeze the nights we'd laughed under the stars, the mornings he'd brought me pancakes in bed. Now he wanted me to document his softness with someone else.

On set, couples babbled about their "spark." Xavier didn't ramble. He pulled out a box: a tiny shoe from when Yvonne was a pup, a crumpled drawing she'd made at seven, a glittery hair tie she'd lost three years back.

The crowd oohhed-their scents warm. "That's so sweet! He kept all that?" "Who does that for someone unless they're crazy about 'em?"

Yvonne blushed, and Xavier stared at her-his eyes unreadable, but his posture loose, like he belonged there. That's when it hit me. His "disgust" for his adopted sister? The way he'd avoided her for years? All a lie. Those little things-proof he'd cared, always.

I swallowed hard, lifted the camera, and snapped. Frame after frame of them: her leaning into his shoulder, him tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Every click erased a memory of us-our first kiss, the night he'd said "forever."

Outside, the pack's big screens lit up: XAVIER SLATER LOVES YVONNE.

The crowd erupted.

"Whoa, they're shouting it to the whole pack? That's bold!"

"Xavier's never been this loud about anyone. He's whipped-in the best way!"

"They're gonna bond, right? This is totally bond-level stuff!"

Then someone in the back called out, voice loud enough to cut through the noise: "Wait-isn't Xavier supposed to have a promised mate? Did I mix up my gossip?"

The air went still. Yvonne's smile sharpened, her scent turning sour with irritation. "What are you talking about? Xavier's never had a promised mate. He's loved me forever."

Xavier's jaw tightened. He nodded to his guys, who hauled the questioner out. Then he turned to the cameras, his voice steady, like he was stating a fact, not a lie.

"I've only ever loved Yvonne. No promised mate. Never will be."

The camera shook in my hand. I stumbled back, his words hitting like a fist.

Oh. That's why. He'd never gone public with us-never talked about our bond plans, kept us hidden. All to protect Yvonne's feelings.

I stared at the screen, at their faces glowing under the lights, and felt the last of my love for him crumble. Gone. For good.

The dating show rolled out couples' highlight reels-sappy montages of first meets, inside jokes.

When Xavier's turn hit, I tensed, expecting baby pics of Yvonne. Instead, the screen lit up with dates from the last six years.