Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 75

Chapter 75

:

“I’ll take Shadow,” I said abruptly. “Text me your address. I’ll be there in an hour.”

Evan’s apartment was on the third floor, surprisingly nice with exposed brick walls and large windows. When he opened the door, I could see why he’d earned his reputation as the pack’s most eligible bachelor-

the space was impeccably maintained with warm colors and actual artwork.

80

But what immediately drew my attention was the massive bird perched on a stand near the window. Shadow

was a Harris’s hawk, all sleek brown feathers and piercing amber eyes, watching me with the kind of

intelligent focus that suggested he was taking my measure.

“He’s beautiful,” I said, approaching slowly with one hand extended.

“He’s temperamental,” Evan corrected, but there was obvious affection in his voice. “Only tolerates a few

people. If he doesn’t like you, this isn’t going to work.”

Shadow cocked his head, studying me for a long moment, then stepped delicately onto my offered forearm

when Evan brought over the leather gauntlet. His talons gripped firmly but not painfully, and when I raised

my arm slightly he mantled his wings in a brief display before settling.

“Well,” Evan said with obvious surprise. “That’s a first. Usually takes him days to warm up to anyone.”

For the next twenty minutes, Evan walked me through Shadow’s care with the kind of obsessive detail that

would have been annoying if it wasn’t so clearly coming from a place of genuine love. Feeding schedule, preferred perches, flight training routine, how to read his body language when he was stressed versus

content.

“And if he gets aggressive-”

“I’ll manage,” I interrupted. “Evan, I’ve handled plenty of difficult creatures. Including Daemon.”

He didn’t smile at the joke. Instead, his expression turned serious as he handed me the falconry glove.

“Daemon and Celeste will both be in the same city for two weeks. You understand what that means?”

“That he’ll finally have the chance to pursue what he actually wants without me inconveniently nearby?”

The words came out more bitter than I’d intended.

1/3

17:05 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 75

“Violet-

:

80

“I’m fine,” I cut him off, focusing on Shadow rather than meeting Evan’s concerned gaze. “I appreciate the

warning, but I already knew this was coming. In some ways, it’s better this way. Let him chase her without restraint. Let him realize what he’s been missing. Maybe it’ll finally push him to actually end this properly

instead of keeping me in limbo.”

Shadow rode on my shoulder during the drive home, his talons gripping the reinforced pad I’d clipped to my

jacket. He was silent but alert, those amber eyes tracking every passing car and streetlight. When we pulled

through the estate gates, he made a low chirping sound that might have been approval or just commentary.

I carried Shadow up to my room and set up the portable perch Evan had provided.

I scrolled through social media without really seeing it, just needing something to do with my hands. Then

Celeste’s latest post appeared on my feed.

It was a photo of a delicate hand reaching toward a snowy sky, flakes caught mid–fall against pale skin. The

caption was a song lyric: “You don’t even know what you do to me…”

I recognized it immediately–Allen Stone’s “Unaware.” A love song about being completely captivated by

someone who didn’t realize their effect.

She was posting this for Daemon. She had to be. And the fact that she was already at this point, already

falling, already broadcasting her feelings in these carefully curated hints–it was earlier than last time. In

my previous life, she hadn’t shown interest until spring. Now it was barely winter.

“Is it because of me?” I whispered to the empty room. “Because I’m interfering, changing things, is

everything accelerating?”

My phone buzzed with a video call from Evan. I answered to find him looking harried and slightly manic.

“Did you set up the perch correctly? Is he eating? Did you check the water dish? You need to make sure-”

“Evan,” I interrupted. “Shadow is fine. The perch is stable. The water is fresh. Stop being an anxious parent.”

‘I’m not anxious, I’m thorough,” he protested, but I could see the corner of his mouth twitching. “If you

don’t take proper care of him, I swear I’ll release him in your bedroom.”

2/3

17:05 Mon, Jun 8

Chapter 75

80

“If you keep micromanaging me, I’ll release him now just to spite you,” I shot back, but there was no heat in

1. it.

We fell into easier banter for a few minutes before his expression turned serious again.

“Violet, if you ever realize that the person you’ve been trying so hard to understand actually isn’t worth the

effort-”

“What would I do?” I asked quietly.

He was silent for several seconds. “You’d be free.”

After we hung up, I lay in the enormous bed staring at the crystal chandelier overhead. Daemon hadn’t

come home. I thought about this morning’s skiing, the snow wolf on the lawn, the empty house, and felt a

deep confusion settling over me like the snow still falling outside.

The next morning–or rather, afternoon–I finally dragged myself out of bed past noon, having tossed and

turned until nearly dawn before exhaustion finally claimed me.

I was finishing changing into jeans and a sweater when my phone erupted with Sienna’s unmistakable

volume.

“Violet! My dad went crazy again! You gotta help me!”

Comments

LIKE

Write Comments

SHARE