My Alpha Forced Me to Forget Him Chapter 02

My Alpha Forced Me to Forget Him Chapter 02

I kept telling myself to let it go.

But pain didn’t disappear just because I ordered it to.

I sat alone on the couch, silent tears dripping onto the flower petals.

One by one, I pulled every arrangement I’d made that afternoon apart, only to put them back together again.

I wasn’t fixing anything. I just couldn’t stop moving my hands.

The moment I stopped, my mind filled with the sound of my wolf’s broken cries.

I had no idea how much time passed before exhaustion finally overwhelmed me.

Still wearing my florist’s apron, dried flower sap clinging to my fingertips, I curled up on the couch and drifted into an uneasy sleep.

The lights suddenly flashed on. I jerked awake.

Ryker walked through the front door, dragging two suitcases behind him.

Selene followed close at his side.

“Elara,” he said casually, as though he were discussing the weather, “Selene’s place lost power.”

“She’ll be staying with us for the next three days.”

He paused.

“She’s thirsty. Could you make her a cup of rose tea?”

I didn’t argue.

After years of making tea for Ryker, every movement had become instinct.

I filled the kettle. Opened the cabinet. Reached for the tin of dried rose petals.

Empty.

Only then did I remember.

I’d used every last flower that afternoon, obsessively arranging bouquets until nothing remained.

I simply stood there, staring at the empty shelf.

Without realizing it, Ryker had walked in behind me.

He slipped his arms around my waist.

When he saw my face, he froze.

My eyes were swollen and bloodshot from crying.

His expression immediately softened.

He lifted my hand and gently kissed my fingers. Pain flashed across his face.

“Elara… just hold on a little longer. The Lethe Elixir should be taking effect soon.”

“Once Selene’s surgery is over, I’ll finally have repaid everything I owe her.”

Then he smiled gently.

“I’ll come with you to buy more flowers.”

We had barely reached the front door when Selene’s voice floated over behind us.

“Ryker…”

“I don’t want to stay here alone. Can I come with you?”

He didn’t hesitate. Not even for a heartbeat.

He released my hand. Turned around. Walked straight back to her. As if I wasn’t standing there at all.

“She’s still weak,” he said quietly before looking back at me.

“Elara, could you go by yourself? I’m worried she’ll catch a chill.”

I stared at him.

When I spoke, my voice sounded colder than I expected.

“You’re serious? You want me to walk there alone… at night?”

Guilt flickered across his face. Then it vanished.

“You’ll be okay.” He smiled gently.

“Just bear with it. For me.”

I didn’t argue.

I simply laughed at myself, grabbed a flashlight and a silver dagger for protection, then stepped out into the darkness alone.

The night was pitch-black. Every step made my chest tighten.

Memories rushed back without warning.

The last time I’d walked alone after dark, a rogue wolf had nearly dragged me into the forest.

I’d been so terrified that my wolf refused to leave our room for three straight days.

Ryker stayed beside me that entire week. He even skipped the pack council meetings.

Every night, he held me close while stroking my hair.

Over and over, he’d whispered the same promise.

“I’ll never let you walk alone in the dark again.”

How ridiculous.

Another promise broken.

By the time I returned carrying an armful of flowers and supplies, Selene was already asleep in our bedroom.

Ryker stood beside the refrigerator, waiting for me.

The moment he saw me, he hurried over and took the heavy bags from my hands.

“I know this isn’t fair.”

His voice was quiet.

“I shouldn’t have let you go alone. I’m sorry.”

I looked at him. My throat tightened so much I couldn’t answer.

Sometimes, I honestly couldn’t tell whether becoming Ryker’s fated mate had been my greatest blessing… or my greatest curse.

But one thing was painfully clear.

The moment I knelt before Selene years ago, begging her to save his life, the ending of our story had already been decided.

He leaned down, intending to kiss me.

I quietly turned my face away.

“I’m tired. You should get some rest too.”

My voice was calm. I walked toward our bedroom.

The instant my fingers touched the doorknob, Ryker stepped in front of me.

“Selene’s sleeping in there.”

For a long moment, I simply stared at him. Then I forced a smile.

“I see.”

Without another word, I turned around and walked into the guest room.

I had only just begun to fall asleep when the mattress dipped beneath another weight.

Warm arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

Ryker.

He pulled me against his chest as though nothing had happened.

For a brief moment, a memory surfaced.

Years ago, when the previous Alpha challenged him for leadership, Ryker had been forced into an underground trial.

We’d been locked inside a stone cell together.

There had only been one narrow bed.

Every night, I slept curled up against him, listening to the steady beat of his heart.

Back then, I believed that was the safest place in the world.

I believed that was home.

Now, his scent only made my wolf recoil.

I shoved him away.

Without another word, I walked onto the balcony to catch my breath.

A moment later, his phone rang.

Selene’s soft voice drifted through the quiet night.

“Ryker. I had a nightmare. I need Elara’s Moonstone Bond Bracelet.”

“I can’t sleep without it. Please…”

Instinctively, I looked down at the bracelet wrapped around my wrist.

This had been the first gift Ryker ever made for me.

He had carved and polished every moonstone bead himself.

His hands had been covered in cuts.

When it was finished, he had carried it all the way to the Temple of the Moon Goddess so the elders could bless it beneath the sacred moonlight.

He had fastened it around my wrist himself.

“Never take it off. It carries part of my wolf. As long as you’re wearing it, I’ll always be with you.”

Now he stood behind me again. His hands rested lightly on my shoulders.

“Elara. Can I borrow the bracelet?”

“I’ll ask the elders to strengthen the Moon Goddess’s blessing before giving it back to you.”

He didn’t even wait for my reply. His fingers unclasped it from my wrist.

The bracelet I’d worn every single day for five years.

I lowered my eyes. Didn’t question him.

I simply smiled. “Of course.”

Once, Ryker had sworn to the Moon Goddess that he would never lie to me.

Just like every other promise he’d made…

That vow had shattered too.