Chapter 2

Guess it’s true, huh? I’m not gonna pull this off after all.

Ten years ago, when Beta Jennifer Simmons handed me this mission, I was already head over heels for Alpha Heir Rohan Henry.

He was the golden boy of the Henry Pack, born to lead, while I was just some Omega from a no-name pack—a nobody with no family to back me up.

But this mission gave me a legit reason to chase after him. After all, if I didn’t win him over, the consequences would be brutal.

I pursued him like crazy, but he always acted like I didn’t exist.

That is, until Maverick Henry came along.

Rohan and I had a private bonding ceremony—just us, acknowledging what had happened. Maverick was born, and for a split second, I thought maybe, just maybe, Rohan had started to care.

Then the mission shifted. Jennifer told me if Rohan and I had a public bonding ceremony, one blessed and recognized by the pack, my mission would be done.

The penalty wouldn’t be my erasure anymore; instead, if I failed, I’d lose every memory tied to him.

I thought Rohan had started to love me, so I figured the ceremony was just a matter of time.

But then Brittany Tucker showed up, and our bonding ceremony kept getting pushed back.

If it wasn’t Brittany’s depression acting up, Rohan would say the timing wasn’t right.

Today, I was closer than ever to finishing this mission.

But in the end, it still wasn’t meant to be.

A robotic voice suddenly buzzed in my head: "Host, this is your last shot. Don’t screw it up!"

"If the ceremony doesn’t go down, all your memories of him will be wiped!"

Today’s the final day to get this done.

Beta Jennifer gave me years, and I still couldn’t make it happen.

But with Alpha Heir Rohan Henry, I never stood a chance. How could I seize an opportunity that was never really there?

I snapped out of it as Rohan walked up with Brittany.

Maverick was holding the train of Brittany’s Victorian-style dress, smiling sweetly until he spotted me. Then he frowned, rushing to stand in front of Brittany.

"What are you doing here, bad mommy? Go away, or Aunt Brittany’s gonna get upset!"

A pang of bitterness hit me hard.

One last try. Just one.

I reached out to ruffle Maverick’s hair, but he dodged me with a sneer.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up at Rohan.

"Alpha Heir Rohan," I started, my voice shaky, "if I told you that if this bonding ceremony doesn’t happen, I’ll lose my memory and forget everything about you…"

"Would you still tell me to step aside and just give up?"

I bit my lip hard, but Rohan just laughed.

"Is it really that big a deal, Elyse? It’s just a ceremony—stop being so dramatic."

Brittany suddenly broke down, sobbing apologies at me:

"I’m sorry, Elyse, it’s all my fault."

"It’s all my fault. I can’t control my illness!"

"I should tough it out no matter how much it hurts, but… but I just can’t help how I feel about Alpha Heir Rohan…"

"It’s all my fault! It’s all my fault!"

As she cried, Brittany started hitting herself.

Rohan pulled her close, stopping her from hurting herself.

Maverick then chucked the flower basket at me and shoved me with his tiny hands:

"It’s all bad mommy’s fault! You made Aunt Brittany upset!"

"I don’t want bad mommy! Go away!"

I stumbled back from the push.

Rohan’s eyes were ice-cold as they landed on me.

"Enough, Elyse. Stop making a scene. Are you really gonna pick a fight with someone who’s actually sick?"

Rohan and Maverick led Brittany to the main stage.

The cold wind cut right through me.

Fine. Whatever.

I don’t need any of you.

Whether I lose my memories or not, it’s not gonna change a thing for them.