Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 67

“Left?”

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“Yes,” Daemon confirmed, unpacking containers with methodical efficiency. “I arranged for a car to take her

to her place and advanced her three months‘ severance.”

“Daemon, why did you fire Ruby?”

His hands stilled on the containers. When he finally looked up, his eyes were unreadable. “Because she’s

Wade Morrison’s sister.”

It was a reasonable explanation. “And you’re certain that’s the only reason?”

“What are you implying?” he asked.

I found myself backing down. “Nothing. I’m sure you had your reasons. Thank you for bringing dinner.”

Daemon settled into the chair, pulling out his phone and beginning to scroll through messages with focused

intensity.

I ate in silence, watching him from beneath my lashes.

“I have to go,” he said abruptly, standing up. “Eat the rest of your dinner and get some rest. I’ll check on you

tomorrow.”

He was gone before I could respond.

I finished eating mechanically, no longer really tasting the food. I reached for my phone on the bedside

table.

Messages from Sienna, Jade, and Mom waited. I typed quick responses, grateful for these women who

actually gave a damn.

I was just setting the phone down when it rang. Celeste called.

“Hello?”

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Chapter 67

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“Violet.” Celeste’s voice came through clear but hesitant. “I hope I’m not calling at a bad time. I heard about

what happened at the mine, and I wanted to check on you.”

My entire body went rigid. I forced myself to take a slow breath. “Celeste. This is unexpected.”

“I know we’re not exactly close,” she continued. “But when I found out that my uncle Wade’s subordinate

had attacked you, I felt like I needed to reach out. On behalf of my uncle and our family, I want to

apologize.”

“It wasn’t your uncle’s fault,” I said carefully. “The man who attacked me acted on his own.”

I paused, then added with deliberate casualness, “Though I was sorry to hear that one of our household staff

had to be let go because of the family connection. Ruby was excellent at her job.”

The silence on the other end stretched just a beat too long before she responded. “Yes, my mother told me

about losing her position. It’s unfortunate.”

“I suppose,” I agreed neutrally, though inside I was analyzing every word.

“Well, I just wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you and hoping for your quick recovery,” Celeste said.

“If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“That’s very kind of you,” I replied. “Thank you for calling, Celeste.”

We exchanged a few more pleasantries before ending the call.

I set the phone down and stared at the ceiling. Celeste knew about Ruby being fired. She knew her uncle’s

subordinate had attacked me.

But most importantly, she gave absolutely no indication of knowing that Daemon was my mate, that she

was actively pursuing my mate.

She was playing dumb.

Sleep came fitfully that night, interrupted by dreams of Daemon’s ice–cold eyes and Celeste’s carefully

neutral expression.

By morning I felt more exhausted than when I’d gone to bed.

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The next morning came too quickly. I was pulled from another restless dream by the sound of the door

opening.

I expected to see a nurse or maybe Mom, but instead Daemon walked in carrying another insulated bag.

“Good morning,” he said, his voice carefully neutral as he set the bag down. “I brought breakfast.”

I blinked at him in confusion. “You came back?”

“I said I would check on you,” he replied, beginning to unpack containers. “How are you feeling? Any

increased pain or fever overnight?”

“No,” I said slowly, watching him with growing suspicion. “Daemon, what are you doing?”

“Bringing my injured luna breakfast,” he said, not meeting my eyes. “Is that so strange?”

“Yes,” I said bluntly. “It is.”

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His jaw tightened, but he still didn’t look at me directly. “Can’t I be concerned about your wellbeing?”

“Not when your track record suggests otherwise,” I countered, pushing myself up to a sitting position

despite the protest from my back.

“Violet,” he said slowly, each word measured and deliberate, “I have a question I need to ask you, and I need

you to answer honestly.”

My stomach dropped instantly because I knew from his tone that whatever he was about to ask was going to

be dangerous territory.

“Alright,” I said carefully.

He was quiet for a moment, studying my face with uncomfortable intensity.

Then he finally spoke the words that made my blood run cold.

“You already knew Celeste Morrison, didn’t you? And you already knew Ruby was her mother when you

hired her.”

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