Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Violet’s POV:

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The man stood in front of me, waiting for my answer. Dylan Hayes, from Crimson Peak Pack, he’d said.

“A drink?” I repeated, my brain still processing.

Behind me, chairs scraped. Sienna, Lily, and Jade appeared at my shoulders.

“Oh my God, go!” Sienna whispered, pushing my elbow. “When was the last time a hot guy bought you a

drink?”

“She’s right,” Lily added. “One drink, twenty minutes, we’ll be right here.”

Jade caught my eye and nodded slightly. Permission. Support.

I looked back at Dylan. He was still waiting. Not pressuring, just waiting.

“Okay,” I heard myself say. “One drink.”

His smile widened. “I promise to make it interesting. Though I tend to talk about trade policy when I’m

nervous.”

“Investment analyst?” I said.

“Smart.” He looked pleased. He gestured toward a quieter corner. “Would that spot work? Your friends can

keep watch.”

I followed him to the bar stools. Behind me, Sienna stage–whispered, “Get it, girl!”

The bartender appeared. Dylan ordered bourbon, then turned to me.

“Whiskey sour,” I said. “Double.”

His eyebrow rose slightly, but he didn’t comment. “Rough day?”

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Chapter 78

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“Rough several years.” The words slipped out before I could stop them. “Sorry, that was-”

“Honest?” he finished gently. “I like honesty. It’s rare in our world.”

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Our drinks arrived. I wrapped my hands around the glass.

“Are you here alone?” Dylan asked, then quickly corrected himself. “I mean, is there someone who might not

like me buying you a drink?”

The question was careful. Respectful. Giving me room without demanding details.

The truth was complicated. I was marked. Legally bound. But Daemon was hundreds of miles north,

probably finding excuses to touch Celeste’s hand. And I was tired of being the only one who pretended our

bond still meant something.

“What do you think?” I said, meeting his eyes.

Something shifted in his expression. “I hope the answer is no. Because anyone who has you and isn’t

treating you like the most important person in their world is an idiot.”

“That’s bold to say to someone whose name you don’t even know,” I managed.

“Then tell me your name.”

“Violet.” Not Luna Blackwood. Just me.

“Violet,” he repeated. “Beautiful. It suits you.”

We talked after that. Easy conversation about things I liked, not things I was useful for. When I mentioned

extreme sports, he leaned forward with genuine interest.

“You’re not drinking,” Dylan observed.

I looked down, surprised. I’d forgotten the whiskey. “I got distracted.”

“Good distracted or boring distracted?”

“Surprisingly good,” I admitted, then took a long swallow. “I should get back to my friends.”

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“Of course.” Disappointment flickered across his face. “But before you go-” He pulled out his phone. “Would

it be completely presumptuous to ask for your number? I’d really like to see you again. Even just as friends.”

I should have said no.

“Okay,” I heard myself say.

Dylan’s whole face lit up. I recited my number, then added, “But fair warning–my life is complicated.

Messy.”

“Everyone’s life is messy,” he said simply. “I can decide what I’m willing to risk.”

We crossed the bar together. When we reached my table, Sienna was grinning.

“Ladies,” Dylan said, then turned to me. “Thank you for the conversation, Violet.”

“Thank you for the drink.”

“You know what?” Jade said suddenly, checking her phone. “It’s getting late. We should probably head out

before it gets too cold.”

“Already?” Sienna looked disappointed. “We just—”

“Some of us have early meetings tomorrow,” Jade said pointedly, giving Sienna a look I couldn’t quite read.

“Come on.”

“If you need a ride, Violet, I’m heading toward Riverside District anyway,” Dylan said.

Sienna’s eyes narrowed. “If anything happens to her, you’ll have three angry women and a pack hunting you

down.”

Dylan raised his hands, smiling. “Understood. Precious cargo.”

Dylan’s car smelled like coffee and leather. He chose instrumental music. As we drove, I sent Sienna his

plate number.

“Long day?” Dylan asked quietly.

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Chapter 78

“Long year,” I said. “Long several years.”

“Can I ask you something?” Dylan said.

“Go ahead.”

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“The person who’s failing to choose you. Do they know they’re losing something important?”

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Not whether Daemon cared, but whether he even realized.

“I don’t think they ever saw it as important,” I heard myself say. “I was always just a placeholder. Someone

convenient until something better came along.”

Dylan’s hands tightened on the wheel. “Then they’re an idiot. You deserve better.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Anyone who makes you feel like a placeholder is the problem, not you.”

We were getting close to Blackwood territory. This bubble was about to pop.

“Turn here,” I said quietly.

But as we pulled up to the gates, I saw his expression shift. Recognition as he took in the massive estate.

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