Chapter 3
When I woke up the next morning, my head was still pounding. The dream I’d had clung to me like ocean foam–there, but impossible to hold onto. I couldn’t remember what I’d seen.
But somehow, my heart felt quieter than it had the day before. Maybe the Oblivion Drop was finally
working. That raw, gut–wrenching pain was no longer sharp. Just… dulled, like a knife buried under
fog.
As I stepped out of the bedroom, a familiar scent hit me.
Savory. Rich. Garlic, herbs, and that unmistakable tang of simmering tomatoes.
Meat sauce.
Landon’s cooking.
He stood in the kitchen doorway with a steaming bowl of spaghetti in his hands, that easy smile
stretched across his annoyingly handsome face. His voice was soft, almost boyish–nothing like
the Alpha he tried so hard to be.
“I made it myself,” he said, half bowing like a waiter. “Thought I’d let our resident chef give it a
taste.”
For a split second, I just stared at him. The scene was so familiar it felt like whiplash–like stepping
into a memory.
I could still see the way he used to trail me around the kitchen, begging me to teach him. Said mates
were meant to protect each other, and if I was the chef, then he’d be my loyal sous.
I reached out to take the bowl–until a voice, sharp and sugary, sliced through the moment.
“Landon!” Kendra’s voice rang out from the living room, thick with flirtation. “You’re gonna make
me fat with all this amazing pasta!”
Her laugh followed, airy and careless, like a slap across the face.
So much for “I made this for you.”
Turns out, he’d just ladled me an extra portion.
The warmth in my chest iced over in an instant. I smiled, but it didn’t reach my eyes.
Landon’s expression faltered. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, Kendra came skipping in, holding something in her hand.
“Landon, you’re ridiculous! This little bear is so cute. I can’t believe you made it yourself—I love
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it!”
I froze.
The plush bear in her hands was identical. Same fabric. Same crooked little smile. The one he’d given me just days ago, calling it “one of a kind”.
My wolf growled, a low, dangerous rumble in my chest. The betrayal hit like a blade to the ribs-
sharp, hot, humiliating.
I turned to Landon, eyes narrowing, heart racing.
He grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the door. “Julissa, it’s not what you think–hers was
custom–made, I swear! I didn’t make two. I wouldn’t… I wouldn’t do that.”
I shook him off with a bitter smile.
The stitches on the one he gave me were perfect–clean, even, careful.
His hands had trembled when he gave it to me.
Liar.
“Oh?” I bit back a laugh. “So mine’s the one you ordered online? Or maybe your beta stitched it up for you?”
His mouth opened, but nothing came out.
I didn’t wait for an answer.
I turned and walked away.
Every step felt like it scraped over glass, my chest aching like it was about to split open.
My wolf whimpered in my head, curled in pain.
It’s fine, I told her. Once the Oblivion Drop finishes working, we won’t feel a thing.
I sank down on the stone steps outside the packhouse and pulled out my phone with shaking
fingers.
I dialed Eden. “Got time for a drink?”
By nightfall, I was sitting alone at the bar in a Westside werewolf pub, shot glass in hand, the low
hum of rock music vibrating through the floorboards.
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The air smelled like cheap booze, sweat, and trouble. In the background, a few half–drunk shifters
roared at a dartboard. Someone laughed too loudly. Somewhere else, a chair scraped the floor too
fast.
I hadn’t set foot in a place like this in years. Not since I sealed the mate bond with Landon and
promised myself I’d finally settle down.
But now? My wolf was laughing at me. At how naïve I’d been.
I thought about that night by the sea–the night of the storm. He’d tried to leave me for Kendra, lost
his mind, and jumped straight into the ocean.
I dove in after him, didn’t even hesitate, even though it was the full moon and I was seconds away
from losing control.
But I saved him. Dragged him back to shore.
That was the night he finally accepted I was his fated mate.
From that moment on, my entire world revolved around him.
And then came the crash.
He threw himself in front of the car to shield me. Took the hit. Shattered his ribs. Burned his back.
I spent every night at the pack hospital, watching over him while he slept. He’d smile at me through the pain and whisper, “Julissa, I’m still alive because you’re my mate. You were meant for me.”
Back then, I believed him.
Back then, I thought nothing could ever come between us.
But now? Now, I was just tired.
A sharp whistle jolted me out of my daze.
Eden slid onto the stool beside me, her grin as bright as ever.
“Well, well, look who’s back at the bar. I thought sealing the bond meant no more of these places?”
I gave her a tired smile and downed the rest of my drink. Then I told her everything.
I thought the words would break me. That I’d crumble, cry, fall apart all over again.
But I didn’t.
I felt… calm. Almost too calm.
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Eden cursed Landon six different ways before topping off my drink. “You know that Kendra’s been messing around in other packs for years, right? Word’s all over the Alpha circles. She only came crawling back ‘cause she ran out of options.”
My brows lifted. “Seriously?”
Eden paused, watching me like she was trying to read something between the lines.
Then, softly, she asked, “Julissa… is that Oblivion Drop really working? I mean… are you saying you don’t love him anymore?”
I blinked.
My fingers drifted to my chest, pressing lightly.
That place inside me that used to burn and ache and tremble with every emotion?
Now it was just quiet. Still. Empty.
I stared into the glass, voice barely a whisper. “…Did I really stop loving him?”
Chapter 3
