Chapter 2 Chapter 2

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.