Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 181

Chapter 181

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So this was Daemon’s housewarming party. A small, intimate gathering with his closest friends. And Celeste

was right there in the center of it all, looking perfectly at home.

As I watched, Daemon turned suddenly, his blood–red eyes seeming to look directly at my door. I jerked

back from the peephole, my heart hammering.

I backed away slowly, feeling foolish and pathetic. What was I doing, spying on my ex’s housewarming party

like some jealous stalker?

Around ten–thirty, I decided to get ready for bed early. I needed to stop thinking about what was happening

across the hall, stop wondering whether Daemon would invite Celeste to stay the night, stop caring about

any of it.

I had just climbed into bed when my doorbell rang.

Through the peephole, I saw a blonde woman I didn’t recognize. One of the guests from Daemon’s party.

She had a warm, friendly face and was holding an empty bowl.

I opened the door a crack, keeping the chain lock engaged. “Yes?”

The woman smiled apologetically. “I’m so sorry to bother you this late. We’re making a salad and realized

we’re out of salad dressing. Do you have any we could borrow?”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I don’t have any salad dressing.”

It was a lie, but she didn’t need to know that. I had a full bottle of ranch in my refrigerator. But I wasn’t

about to contribute anything to Daemon’s party, wasn’t about to insert myself into their evening in any way.

“Oh, that’s okay,” Riley said, still smiling. “Thanks anyway. Have a good night.”

“You too,” I said, closing the door.

I returned to bed, pulling the covers up to my chin.

I fell asleep without realizing it.

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17:22 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 181

I was jolted awake by a sound like the world splitting open.

Thunder–loud, violent thunder that rattled the windows. My eyes flew open, my heart already racing.

Lightning flashed outside, illuminating my bedroom before plunging it back into darkness. The rain was

battering against the windows.

I fumbled for my phone. 3:27 AM.

Another crack of thunder made me flinch violently. I’d always hated thunderstorms.

A loud crash from the living room made me yelp. I stumbled out of bed. The balcony door was standing

wide open, rain pouring in, and my drying rack had been blown over.

I rushed toward the balcony and grabbed the door handle, trying to pull it shut, but the wind pushed back

with force. The door wouldn’t budge.

Thunder exploded overhead again. I screamed before I could stop myself. My hands were shaking violently,

my breathing coming in short gasps.

I tried again to close the door, but another gust nearly ripped the handle from my grip.

I was going to have a panic attack. The tightness in my chest, the way my vision was narrowing–the

overwhelming sensation that I needed to hide.

But I couldn’t hide. The rain was soaking the living room floor.

I was still struggling with the door, tears streaming down my face, when I heard a voice from outside my

apartment.

“Violet!”

Daemon’s voice, sharp and urgent.

I let go of the balcony door and ran to the front door, fumbling with the locks. I needed help. I needed

someone to close that door.

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17:22 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 181

I got the chain lock off and yanked open the door.

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Daemon was standing in the hallway, wearing sweatpants and a t–shirt, his dark hair disheveled. His blood-

red eyes locked onto mine, taking in my tear–streaked face, my trembling hands.

“The balcony-” I started to say, but another flash of lightning lit up the hallway, followed immediately by

thunder.

I must have made some sound because the next thing I knew, Daemon had stepped forward and pulled me

into his arms.

His chest was solid and warm against my cheek, his arms wrapped around me protectively. One hand came

up to cradle the back of my head, his fingers threading through my hair.

“Shh,” he murmured, his deep voice rumbling through his chest. “It’s just thunder. Don’t be afraid.”

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