Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 37

Chapter 37

“Is that so?” I asked, feigning delight. “Then get that one. Victoria will be thrilled.”

And every time you see Daemon and Celeste together in the future. I thought cruelly, you will rememb

helped buy the drugs meant to force him back into my bed.

***

Later that afternoon, I accompanied Lily to a high–end bridal boutique downtown.

The shop was a sanctuary of silk and tulle.

We were examining a rack of imported veils when the bell above the door chimed.

I glanced over and froze.

Celeste Morrison walked in.

She was flanked by two giggling classmates.

I watched from behind a mannequin.

Celeste’s fingers trailed longingly over a gown displayed in the center of the room. It was a minimalist. ethereal slip of silk that cost more than her mother made in a year.

The longing in her eyes was raw.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I said, stepping out from the shadows.

Celeste jumped. Her hand snatched back as if burned.

“Luna! I… yes. It’s stunning. But we… we were just looking.”

“Nonsense,” I said. I signaled the sales associate with a flick of my wrist. “Wrap this one up for Miss

Morrison. It’s a gift.”

14:00 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 37

“No!” Celeste’s eyes widened in horror. “I couldn’t possibly–it’s too much-

“Take it,” I insisted.

I pulled out my black credit card.

“Consider it a scholarship for your impeccable taste,” I said. “You know, Celeste, in life, you should never settle for the cheap rental when you know the silk is what you really want.”

I leaned in. My voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper.

“If you like this one, take it. If you settle for something else, you’ll spend your whole life looking back at this moment with regret. Some things, once you’ve set your heart on them, shouldn’t be compromised.”

Like mates, I added silently. Once you’ve decided on him, you won’t stop until you have him. So take the dress

and own your ambition.

93

Celeste looked at me, confused but overwhelmed. She took the dress box with trembling hands, stammering

thanks before fleeing the shop with her friends.

*****

We left the shop and walked along the riverfront. The autumn wind bit at our cheeks.

Lily stopped by the railing, looking out at the grey water.

“I’ve decided,” Lily announced abruptly. “After the mating ceremony, I’m retiring from the choir and focusing

on the house.”

I stared at her, aghast.

Lily possessed the rare “Moon Singer” vocal chords. And she wanted to trade it for diaper duty?

“Lily, are you insane?” I asked. “You could headline the Winter Solstice Gala. You could be famous across the

Alliance. Why would you give that up?”

Lily shrugged. She kicked a pebble into the river.

2/4

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Chapter 37

“Because… it’s boring, Vi.”

She turned to me, her expression unusually serious.

“You said it yourself,” Lily said, twirling the straw in her drink. “I would succeed. I would be the best. There

is no question about it.”

She looked at me with a shrug, her expression devoid of passion.

93

“And honestly? A game where I know the outcome is a guaranteed victory before I even roll the dice….. I just

don’t want to play it.”

The words hit me like a physical blow.

A game where you know the outcome.

I was playing a game where I had already seen the ending. I had lived the ending.

I knew Daemon and Celeste were the true pairing. I knew I was the villain who would be cast aside.

And yet, here I was.

I was still stubbornly, foolishly trying to place obstacles in their path.

“You okay?” Lily asked, touching my arm.

“Fine,” I choked out, forcing a smile.

****

When I returned to Blackwood Manor, the house was dark.

In the kitchen, Ruby had left a crystal decanter on the counter. Inside swirled a dark, viscous purple liquid-

the ‘Moonlight Essence.‘

It looked like poison.

Give it to whom? I thought bitterly. He’s not even here.

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Chapter 37

I picked up the decanter, intending to pour it down the sink.

Suddenly, the front door slammed open. The force rattled the windowpanes.

Daemon stormed in.

Victoria must have dragged him back from whatever sanctuary he had found. She had probably lectured him the entire ride home about his duty to the bloodline.

He stopped in the doorway of the kitchen.

His eyes locked onto me. Then, they drifted to the purple liquid in my hand.

“What is that?”

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14:00 Mon, Jun 8

Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me