Chapter 1

I never imagined that after sacrificing my heartblood and fangs to help my Alpha mate regain his memory, I'd find out that he'd been faking his amnesia all along just to delay the marking ceremony.

Frozen, I could barely believe my ears. Deep within my jacket, I clenched the piece of paper hidden in my pocket. It was Zev Briarwood's medical report.

A few days ago, the healer had secretly handed it to me and warned me that Zev might not have lost his memory at all.

I didn't believe it then, but now, I had no choice.

Zev had been lying to me from the very start. It had all been an act.

As I started trembling, my stomach twisted like I'd taken a punch straight to the gut.

The laughter continued to ring in my ears, and Zev excitedly said, "Hey, is the party on tonight? Make sure there are plenty of hot girls!"

"Relax, we're on it! But aren't you afraid Kira will find out and never forgive you?"

Zev let out a scornful laugh. "Afraid? Kira loves me to death, and she even made a deal with some evil witch for me."

It felt as if a cold hand had gripped my heart, and I could barely breathe.

He took my love for granted and was certain that I'd give him everything. That was why he could hurt me so effortlessly.

It never occurred to him that I needed to be loved too.

"K-Kira? When did you get here?" One of Zev's buddies finally noticed me.

Holding back my tears, I forced a calm expression and entered.

Zev's friends jumped in and said, "Zev still can't remember anything, and we're really worried about him. We're throwing a party tonight to gather all his old friends and subordinates to see if it'll help jog his memory."

They sounded so genuine and convincing, as if this party was really for Zev's sake. If I didn't know the truth now, I probably would have fallen for it again.

"Oh? That's so thoughtful of you all," I coldly replied.

Zev shot me an impatient glare. "What are you doing here again? I told you I don't know you! I hate this stranger who keeps claiming to be my mate and tries to tie me down! You're not getting whatever you want from me!"

I took a deep breath. Even knowing the truth, pain still stabbed into my chest.

I couldn't understand how this man, who once risked his life to save me from a wild beast, had turned into this monster in front of me now.

Forcing my emotions down, I handed him the report. "I'm just here to drop off your discharge papers. The healer says you're in perfect health, so you can leave now."

Since he was putting on an act, I no longer had any reason to play along.

"Seriously? That uptight healer, Rowan, finally did something useful! I'm so sick of this damn clinic!" Zev leapt up from the hospital bed and grabbed his clothes before putting them on in a hurry.

"Wait," I called out and stared straight at him. My voice was cold as I continued, "Haven't you lost your memory? How do you remember your healer's name is Rowan and that he's uptight?"

Stepping closer, I locked my eyes on him and questioned, "Zev, have you really lost your memory?"

I kept my gaze on him. Deep down, I still clung to the faintest hope and prayed that he'd tell me the truth. If he did, maybe… I'd try to forgive him.

After all, we loved each other for so many years. He was my fated mate, and to completely let go wasn't an easy task.

A flicker of panic flashed across Zev's expression after being exposed, but he masked it just as quickly.

"These guys who claim to be my buddies told me! Is there anything strange about that?" he stubbornly snapped back.

Even at this point, he was still lying.

Perhaps my stare was too much for him to handle because he suddenly flew into a rage.

Kicking over the chair beside him, he roared, "Damn it! You're giving me a headache again! Get out! Get the hell out, and don't ever come back!"

I stepped back, and deep down, the last bit of hope went out like a dying flame.

Shaking my head, I turned around and murmured under my breath, "As you wish, Zev Briarwood. From now onward, Kira Elrick shall never exist in your world again."