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."