Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me (by Sherry) novel Chapter 85

We stopped at a red light halfway to our destination, and I caught Victoria’s reflection in the rearview–her

expression had shifted to something more focused, her nose lifting slightly in that distinctive way wolves

did when catching a demanding scent. She was scanning the vehicle’s interior with systematic thoroughness,

her gaze finally settling on the passenger seat where Celeste had sat.

She didn’t say anything–didn’t ask who I’d been driving around, didn’t comment on the obvious presence of

another young woman’s scent despite my professional detailing. She simply met my eyes in the mirror for one long, assessing moment before deliberately turning her attention back to her conversation as though

nothing had happened. But I’d seen the flicker of understanding, and I knew that she knew.

Moonstone Spa occupied the entire top floor of a converted historic building, all exposed brick softened by

plants and lavender scent. The manicurist presented me with color samples, and I was reaching for safe

beige when Victoria materialized at my elbow. “Try this one, Violet. It’ll complement your skin tone

beautifully.”

The color she’d selected was pearl white with the faintest shimmer of silver–sophisticated without being

loud. I’d normally have dismissed it as too attention–seeking, but something in Victoria’s expression made

me agree. “That would be lovely.”

As the manicurist worked, Victoria proceeded to orchestrate a complete transformation–the nail color, yes,

but also deep hair conditioning with subtle caramel highlights, and a facial to address what she termed

“stress fatigue” in my skin. When everything was finished hours later and I stood before the full–length

mirror, I stared at my reflection in something close to disbelief. “I barely recognize myself,” I murmured.

Victoria appeared behind me in the mirror, her expression gentle but firm. “Darling, you’ve always been this

beautiful. You just forgot to see it.”

Her words hit me with unexpected force because she was right–I realized I’d only ever felt “not good

enough” around Daemon, had internalized his indifference as evidence of my inadequacy. Because he

doesn’t love me, I assumed I wasn’t good enough. But maybe the problem was never me. I’d always been

attractive, had always possessed value beyond what he chose to acknowledge. I’d just stopped believing it

somewhere along the way.

That night back at the estate, I watched his black SUV’s headlights cut through the snowy darkness from

the window, the vehicle disappearing down the long driveway within seconds. Minutes later, my phone

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buzzed with his text: “Something came up, heading back to the city. Stay a few more days, I’ll come pick you

up.”

I stared at the message, then at the empty driveway, and thought: Must be about Celeste.

The next morning, urgent knocking woke me. Victoria stood in my doorway, worry creasing her features. “Is

Daemon in your room? His car is gone and he’s not answering his phone!”

I manufactured concern I didn’t feel. “Oh, there was an urgent issue at the Ironridge Mine. He had to rush

back late last night to handle it.”

Victoria’s expression shifted through several emotions before settling on something knowing, almost sad. She gripped my hand, her voice suddenly serious. “Violet, if Daemon ever treats you badly, or if he dares

to… stray, you must tell me immediately. Do you understand?”

My throat tightened, but I managed to nod.

“I chose you not because of pack alliances,” she continued, each word weighted with sincerity. “I chose you

because of who you are–your courage, your kindness. Marcus and I genuinely like you as a person, Violet.

We’re grateful you never gave up on him all these years, even when he probably didn’t deserve your

persistence.”

The tears came before I could stop them, and when Victoria pulled me into a hug that felt genuinely

maternal, I realized this was exactly what I’d needed in my previous life but had been too consumed with

chasing Daemon to accept. “Thank you for telling me this,” I whispered. “It means more than you know.”

The next three days passed in strange limbo where I existed in the Blackwood estate like a ghost. Daemon

had said he’d come pick me up, but days accumulated with no update, no explanation. Evan continued his

daily video calls to check on Shadow.

I’d just ended my call with Evan when my phone lit up again with Mom’s name. I felt myself relax,

answering with genuine warmth. “Hey Mom, miss me already?”

The silence lasted three seconds too long. Then my mother’s voice came through, carefully controlled but

shaking at the edges: “Violet… you need to come home. Right now.”

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Fated to the Alpha Who Killed Me

Chapter 86

Violet’s POV:

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