Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 182

Violet’s POV:

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The storm had finally begun to ease. Through my living room window, I could see the rain had softened

from a violent downpour to a steady drizzle, though thunder still rumbled in the distance. Daemon stepped

back from the balcony door, testing the handle one more time. His shirt was still damp, clinging to his

shoulders, droplets tracing down the side of his neck.

I handed him a clean towel. He ran it through his dark hair, then his blood–red eyes swept across my

apartment, taking in the secondhand furniture, the water–stained ceiling tiles, the exposed pipes along the

far wall. His jaw tightened with clear disapproval.

“Why living here alone?” he said. “An unmated she–wolf in a building like this. This place doesn’t even have

backup generators.”

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. “Then you should be asking yourself the same question.”

His hand stilled on the towel. He looked at me for a moment before answering, his voice dropping low.

“Close to my workplace.”

“Same.” I pushed off the wall. “Your project here. How long is it going to take?”

He turned to face me fully. “Not sure yet. Could be a few months. Could be longer.” A bitter smile twisted his

mouth. “Don’t worry. I’m not going to be one of those annoying stray wolves, following you around. You

don’t have to act like I’m going to stalk you.”

The words hit harder than they should have. My mouth opened before I could stop myself. “You used to call

me that. An annoying stray wolf.”

The air in the room went dead.

Daemon’s expression froze. I could see his jaw working, the muscle ticking beneath his skin. The memory

hung between us–all those years when I had chased after him, when every attempt had been met with cold.

dismissal or worse, with that exact phrase.

Ember whimpered in my mind. I felt the sharp sting of humiliation all over again.

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17:23 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 182

Daemon’s fingers flexed at his sides. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. But he didn’t speak. Didn’t

apologize.

Because he couldn’t. We both knew that.

The silence became unbearable. My gaze drifted to the coffee table where a small medicine bottle sat half-

hidden beneath a magazine. I’d been careless leaving it out.

Daemon’s eyes followed mine. In two quick strides, he crossed the room and picked up the bottle. “What is

this?”

My heart slammed against my ribs. “Just vitamin supplements.”

He turned the bottle in his hands, studying it. “Why are you taking supplements? Are you sick?”

“No.” I moved toward him, hand outstretched. “Just preventive care. Give it back.”

But Daemon held it out of reach, examining it more closely. “Violet-”

“That’s my private medical business.” My voice came out sharper than intended. “It has nothing to do with

you.”

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Something flickered across his face. “I’m just trying to make sure you’re okay. If you’re sick or if something’s

wrong-”

“Then it’s my problem to deal with.” I snatched the bottle from his hand and shoved it into my pocket.

“We’re not mated anymore, remember?”

The words landed like a slap. Daemon’s expression went carefully blank. “Right. Of course.”

Then he left.

I barely slept the rest of that morning. By afternoon when I dragged myself to work, I was running on

stubbornness and too much coffee. Around four o’clock, my phone rang.

“Linda’s transfer request came through,” Aiden said. “She’s coming back to the department. Starts today.”

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17:23 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 182

I closed my eyes. “Understood.”

:.

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After we hung up, I stared at my screen. Linda was coming back. Linda, who worshiped Celeste. Linda, who

blamed me for everything.

At four fifteen, Linda walked through the doors carrying a box of her belongings. She made her way around

the room, hugging everyone. When she reached my desk, the smile dropped from her face. She walked past

without a word.

Ten minutes later, she appeared at my desk again, setting down folders with more force than necessary. She

leaned down, her voice low. “Celeste resigned because of you. I hope you’re satisfied now.”

I looked up at her, letting a slow smile spread across my face. “Actually, I am satisfied. You know what? I bet

I could get you fired too if I wanted to.”

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