Chapter 1"Brielle, just three days. Once Vivienne's surgery is done, I'll reconnect the bond right away."
Caius pressed a small vial into my hand.
The liquid inside glowed bright, almost blinding. His voice was soft, like he was coaxing a kid to take medicine.
"It's called 'Oblivion.' For these three days, no matter what happens between me and Vivienne, you won't feel a thing." He paused, then added, "When it wears off, you'll love me even more than before."
I didn't say anything. Just looked at him. I'd been staring at this face for almost ten years now—those gray-blue eyes, always so confident. I used to think that was strength. Now I knew better. He just never had to care how I felt.
I downed the potion in one go.
The second it slid down my throat, a scream exploded in my head—my wolf. She wasn't in pain. She was broken. Our bond was being ripped apart, piece by piece.
What Caius didn't know? This potion came with a brutal condition.
It wasn't just drink-it-and-done. If he treated me right these three days—stayed close, protected me—then yeah, the memories and feelings would fade. Eventually, nothing would be left. But if he hurt me during that time... it wouldn't just be forgetting him. My wolf's instincts would shut down completely. The bond could never be reconnected. Ever.
He pulled me close, his lips brushing my ear as he laughed softly. "Don't look like that, Brielle. After these three days, I'll love you even more too."
I turned in his arms, my fingers grazing the stubble on his jaw. This man. I used to think he was it for me. Forever.
"Oblivion" wasn't something you could just buy anywhere. My brother Tristan spent three years creating this formula before he died. Now I was the only person left in the world who knew the truth.
In three days, I might not even remember Caius's name.
A memory flashed through my mind—not that long ago, just last month. We were on the balcony drinking, and I asked him, "If we ever stopped loving each other, would you let me go?" His face changed instantly. He yanked me into his arms so hard I couldn't breathe.
"Brielle, you listen to me," he said. "Unless I'm dead, no one's taking you away from me. Ever."
God, that sounded so good at the time.
And now? We were both standing here, perfectly alive. His hand was still on my waist. But the bond? He'd shoved it down my throat himself.
My eyes started to burn. I looked up at him. "Caius... aren't you scared I'll never be able to love you again?"
His brow furrowed. His eyes went dark. He grabbed my chin and kissed me—hard. It hurt.
This wasn't affection. This was anger.
"Don't you dare," he said, voice low and sharp. "You promised me. You said you'd only love me for the rest of your life."
Before, when he said stuff like that, it made me feel warm inside. Now it just felt suffocating.
Because the person forcing this poison down my throat was him.
I didn't respond. Just looked down and swallowed the lump rising in my throat. Caius must've realized he'd been too harsh, because he pulled me back into his arms, softening his tone.
"I know this is hard on you. But I don't have a choice. Vivienne's surgery can't wait." He rubbed my back like he was soothing a child. "Once she's recovered, I'm done with her for good. Then I'll take you to Norway to see the Northern Lights. You've always wanted to go, right?"
I nodded. Bit my lip. Stayed quiet.
It was almost funny, really. Seven years ago, he got hit with a blood curse. His wolf was fading fast—by the next full moon, he'd be gone. I knelt in the Moon Temple and swore: if he died, I'd follow him.
Turns out, only Vivienne's blood could break the curse.
I knelt in front of her, crying like a damn dog, begging her to save him.
From that day on, Caius had been paying off his debt to her. I never complained. I thought this wasn't just his debt—it was mine too.
I was still lost in thought when the sound of rolling luggage echoed from downstairs.
I snapped back. Caius was already standing at the door, looking tense.
"Brielle... Vivienne's not doing well. I need to stay with her these three days."
He paused, then added, "Just three days. After that, everything goes back to normal."
Then he kissed my forehead and left.
After the door clicked shut, I stood alone in the living room. In front of me was a whole row of flower arrangements on the table—I'd spent all afternoon on them.
Hadn't even had a sip of water.
Before, no matter how busy he was, he'd always sit down with me for tea and look at whatever new arrangement I'd made. He used to say I had magic hands. Said one day he'd let the whole pack see Brielle's work.
And now? I couldn't even get him to say "that bouquet looks nice."
Whatever.
In three days, I'd forget all this anyway. Forget the way he smiled when he watched me arrange flowers. Forget the coldness in his voice when he said her name.
No bond.
No chains.
Finally free.
Chapter 2
I told myself "forget it" a hundred times, but pain doesn't just disappear because you tell it to.
I sat alone on the couch, tears dripping onto the petals. I pulled out every flower I'd arranged today, one by one, then shoved them back in. I wasn't fixing anything. I just couldn't let my hands stop moving. The second they did, my head started buzzing.
I don't know how much time passed before I collapsed on the couch and passed out. Still wearing my apron, flower sap dried on my fingers.
The lights suddenly flicked on. I jolted awake.
Caius walked in dragging two suitcases, Vivienne trailing behind him.
"Brielle," he said casually, like he was commenting on the weather, "Vivienne's place lost power. She's staying with us for the next three days."
He paused, then added, "She's thirsty. She wants rose tea. Can you make her a cup?"
I didn't say anything. Just dragged my heavy body toward the kitchen. After years of making him tea, it had become muscle memory. Didn't even need to think.
I put the kettle on and opened the cabinet to grab the flower tea tin—empty.
That's when I remembered—I'd used up all my materials this afternoon, like a maniac just arranging flowers nonstop.
I just stood there, staring at the empty cabinet.
Caius followed me in and wrapped his arms around my waist from behind. He looked down at my face and froze—my eyes were swollen from crying, ringed with red.
He lifted my hand and kissed it, his expression genuinely pained. "Brielle, just hang in there a little longer, okay? The potion should kick in soon. Once her surgery's done, I'll have paid back everything I owe her."
Then he pulled me close and said he'd come with me to buy supplies.
We'd barely reached the door when Vivienne's voice drifted over from behind us. "Caius, I don't want to be alone here. Can I come with you?"
Caius didn't even hesitate. He let go of my hand, turned around, and went to her side. Like I wasn't even there.
"She's still weak," he said quietly, then looked up at me. "Brielle, can you go by yourself? I'm worried she'll catch a cold."
I stared at him. My voice came out cold without me even trying. "Are you serious? You're making me walk alone at night?"
He paused, guilt flashing across his face, but it disappeared just as quickly. "You'll be fine," he said softly. "Just hang in there. For me, okay?"
I didn't bother arguing. Just laughed bitterly, grabbed a flashlight and something to defend myself with, and walked out.
The night was pitch black. Every step I took, my chest tightened. All those old memories came flooding back.
Last time I walked alone at night, I was almost dragged into the woods by a rogue. I didn't sleep for three days after that. Caius stayed by my side for an entire week. He didn't even attend pack meetings. He held me and swore over and over that he'd never let me walk alone in the dark again.
Ha.
Another broken promise.
By the time I got back with a heavy bag of supplies, Vivienne was already asleep in our bedroom.
Caius stood by the fridge looking uncomfortable. He took the bag from my hands. "I know this isn't easy," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have made you go alone... I'm sorry."
I looked at him. My throat was so tight I couldn't speak.
Sometimes I really didn't know if being bonded to Caius was a blessing or a curse. But one thing was clear—the moment I knelt in front of Vivienne crying and begging her to save his life, the ending was already written.
He leaned in to kiss me. I turned my face away.
"I'm tired. You should get some rest too." My voice was soft. I turned toward the bedroom.
My hand had just touched the doorknob when he stepped in front of me.
"Vivienne's sleeping in there."
I took a deep breath and forced out a sharp smile. "Fine."
Then I turned and went into the guest room.
I'd barely started to drift off when I heard rustling beside me. Caius slipped under the covers and pulled me into his arms from behind, pressing me against his chest. Like nothing had happened.
For a split second, I remembered the past.
That year when he was so sick, the pack called for an Alpha trial. While we waited for the results, we were locked in the underground cell together with one narrow bed. Every night I slept on top of him, my ear pressed against his heartbeat. I thought that was the warmest place in the world.
Back then, I thought that was home.
Now, it just made me sick.
I shoved him off and got up, walking out to the balcony for air.
Then I heard Vivienne's voice coming from his phone, soft and pitiful. "Caius... I had a nightmare. I need Brielle's bracelet. I can't sleep without it... please."
I looked down at the moonstone bracelet on my wrist.
This was the first gift he ever gave me. He made it by hand, polishing each bead one by one. His hands were covered in cuts from carving the patterns just right. When he finished, he even went to the Moon Temple to bless it, like it was some kind of sacred relic.
He told me I was never allowed to take it off. Said it was a part of him, meant to stay with me forever.
Now he stood behind me, arms around my shoulders, and said, "Brielle, can I borrow the bracelet? I'll have the elders take a look at it, add some extra blessings or something."
He didn't even wait for my answer. Just unclasped it from my wrist himself.
I hadn't taken this bracelet off in five years.
I didn't question him. Didn't ask why. Just smiled and said, "Sure."
Caius once swore he'd never tell me a single lie.
Like so many other promises, that one had shattered too.
Chapter 3
I woke up the next morning with my head still pounding.
I'd had a dream last night, but I couldn't remember what it was about. Just vague shapes, like looking through fog.
But there was something strange—my heart didn't hurt as much as yesterday. That dull, tearing pain seemed to be fading. Not gone completely, just... not as unbearable.
Maybe the potion was starting to work.
I walked out of the guest room and into the hallway. A familiar scent drifted over.
Not flowers. Tea. With a hint of honey sweetness.
Caius came out of the kitchen carrying a tray with two steaming cups of flower tea. He was smiling. That face was already good-looking enough, but when he smiled like that, it was both lovely and infuriating.
"I made this," he said, even bowing a little like a waiter. "Want our master florist to give it a taste?"
I froze.
This scene was too familiar. Familiar enough to make my chest tighten. He used to do this all the time when I was arranging flowers—come over and ask me to teach him about color combinations. Said mates should appreciate each other, and since I was a florist, he wanted to be my first audience.
I reached for the cup.
Then Vivienne's voice floated in from the living room, sweet and sticky. "Caius! You made such delicious tea this early in the morning—are you trying to spoil me rotten?"
Her laugh sounded like tinkling bells. Grating.
Right.
So much for "made it for you to taste." Turns out he just poured me a cup on the side.
Whatever warmth was on my face vanished instantly. My mouth was still smiling, but my eyes definitely weren't. Caius noticed something was wrong and opened his mouth to explain, but Vivienne was already bouncing over, holding something up.
"Caius, you're so funny! This little bear is so cute—you made it yourself? I'm going to love it forever!"
I froze completely.
The stuffed bear in her hand was identical to the one in my room. Same fabric. Same crooked stitching. When he gave it to me a few days ago, he said it was "one of a kind."
The wolf inside my chest let out a low growl.
Not pain. Anger.
I turned to stare at Caius. His face changed. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the door, lowering his voice. "Brielle, it's not what you think—hers was custom-made, I didn't make two, I didn't—"
I yanked my hand free and laughed.
The one he gave me had perfectly even stitches, sewn tight and neat. His hands were still shaking when he handed it to me.
Liar.
"Oh?" I scoffed. "So mine was bought online? Or did you have someone else sew it?"
He opened his mouth. Not a single word came out.
I didn't wait for an answer. Just turned and walked away. Every step felt like walking on broken glass. My chest was so tight I could barely breathe.
It's fine. I told myself. Once the potion fully kicks in, I won't feel anything anymore.
I sat down on the stone steps outside the room, hands shaking as I pulled out my phone and called Sage.
"Want to grab a drink?"
By evening, I was sitting alone in an underground wolf bar in the East District. Holding a glass of hard liquor, surrounded by pounding rock music that shook the floor.
The air was thick with cheap booze, sweat, and gunpowder. A few drunk wolves were throwing darts in the corner. Someone was laughing way too loud. Someone else was scraping their chair across the floor, making an awful screech.
I hadn't been to a place like this in forever. Ever since I locked the bond with Caius, I told myself I'd settle down and live a quiet life.
Looking back now, I was so naive.
My mind drifted back to that night by the ocean. It was pouring rain. He jumped into the sea like a madman to save Vivienne. I didn't even think—I jumped in after him. It was a full moon. I almost lost control. But I still dragged them both out.
That night, he finally accepted me as his fated mate.
After that, my whole world revolved around him.
Then there was that car accident. He threw himself in front of me. Broke his ribs. His back was burned raw. I stayed with him in the hospital night after night. He was in so much pain but still smiled at me and said, "Brielle, I'm still alive because you're my mate. You're a gift from the heavens."
Back then, I believed him.
Back then, I thought nothing could tear us apart.
And now?
Now I was just tired.
"Well, well, if it isn't our Brielle."
Sage appeared beside me out of nowhere, wearing that signature cocky grin. "I thought once you locked your bond, you'd never come back to places like this."
I smiled at her and downed the rest of my drink. Then I told her everything that had happened over the past two days.
I thought I'd cry. Thought I'd break down. Thought I'd shatter all over again.
But I didn't.
When I finished talking, I felt strangely calm. Unnaturally calm.
Sage cursed Caius up and down in every creative way possible, then refilled my glass.
"You know what Vivienne's been up to all these years?" She lowered her voice. "Word's spread through all the Alpha circles. She's been hooking up left and right. Only came crawling back because she ran out of options."
I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"
Sage paused, staring at me for a couple seconds, like she was trying to figure something out.
Then her voice softened. "Brielle... does that potion actually work? I mean... do you really not love him anymore?"
I blinked.
My fingers unconsciously pressed against my chest. That spot used to burn constantly—aching, sore, tight, every emotion exploding right there. Now there was nothing. Just quiet. Empty.
I stared at what was left in my glass, my voice so soft I could barely hear it myself.
"...Do I really not love him anymore?"
