LOGINVioletHis entire expression changed, something anguished flickering openly across his face before he dragged a hand down it roughly.“You…have no idea what you mean…to me.”“I know exactly what I meant,” I replied coldly. “A bet.”For a moment he simply stared at me. Then he shook his head once, slowly, his breathing getting a bit ragged now.“It stopped being a game a long time ago.”“You expect me to believe that?”“I expect you to remember me,” he shot back suddenly, his voice roughening. “I expect you to remember every single moment between us and tell me none of it felt real. I want you to…”My throat tightened painfully because my idiotic heart felt it had been too real.My gaze flicked to the screen of his desktop and the next words tumbled out of my mouth before I could take them back.“I have someone else now.” Elijah froze completely and looked at me as if I had spoken in another language.“What?”I forced myself to continue even though my heart was hammering violently.“T
Violet"The boss isn't here," I said quickly, my voice coming out higher than normal, too fast. "I came to meet with him but he's out. I was just... waiting."It was a terrible lie but I had never been good at lying."I see. I also needed to speak with him. Do you know when he'll be back?""No idea. Sorry." He nodded slowly, and smiled. "I'll come back later then. Thank you, Miss Violet.""Of course," I managed, my hands clenching into fists at my sides to hide their shaking.He turned and left, andI let out a shaky breath, my hands trembling a little. My pulse throbbed painfully against my throat as I hurried toward the door, gripping my bag tighter with every step.“Violet?”The sound of his voice stopped me so abruptly that my knees nearly buckled.I turned slowly to see Elijah standing at the doorway with his phone pressed against his ear, his broad shoulders still half angled toward the hallway like he had only just arrived, but whatever conversation he had been having clearly
VioletShe beamed, clearly pleased. "Wonderful. I'll be at my desk if you need anything. Mr. Lockwood also said to specifically remind you that you're free to work from home if you'd prefer. No pressure to be here if you're not feeling up to it."She left, closing the door softly behind her.I stood in the middle of my replicated office, surrounded by evidence of Elijah's care, and didn't know what to feel.He'd spent what had to be an enormous amount of money, coordinated a massive construction project, moved my entire workspace, all within hours of my breakdown because I'd been scared. He couldn't fix what had happened but he could damn well make sure it never happened again.I sank into my desk chair, my hands shaking slightly as I took in the details. My chest felt tight, emotions I couldn't name swirling in a confusing mass.He'd hurt and manipulated me.But he'd also done this. How was I supposed to reconcile these two versions of him? The manipulator and the protector? The ma
VioletThe space was full of activity. Construction equipment was scattered across the massive apace and workers wearing hard hats and high-visibility vests were bustling around. The sound of power tools echoed off the concrete walls.I parked in a spot farther from the elevator bank than usual, blocked by equipment and supplies, and walked toward the building entrance with growing confusion.The lobby was even more chaotic. The elevator banks that had been there yesterday were gone, replaced by gaping holes covered with temporary barriers. More workers swarmed the area, calling to each other over the noise of construction.I approached the reception desk, where the receptionist was answering calls."Excuse me," I said when she hung up. "What's going on? What happened to the elevators?"She looked up, recognition flashing across her face. "Oh, Miss Violet! Mr. Lockwood ordered them demolished completely. We're installing new glass elevators instead that are completely transparent, an
VioletMy room felt like a sanctuary when I finally reached it.I changed into pajamas, and went through the motions of washing my face and brushing my teeth. I hesitantly stared at myself in the bathroom mirror, half expecting to see glowing eyes or reaching hands.But there was only my own reflection, pale and tired and human.Back in my room, I noticed the moon visible through my window. It was full and bright, hanging in the dark sky like a beacon.I moved to the window and looked up at it, letting the silvery light wash over me. There was comfort in the moon, in the white light it cast over all of us."Moon Goddess," I whispered, my hands pressed against the cool glass. "If you're listening, please keep me safe. I am terrified of what is going on. I…I don’t want to feel afraid. Please protect me from whatever is happening. Please guide me through this darkness." Then added “And protect him too”The prayer felt silly, childish even. But it also felt necessary, like reaching out to
VioletThe words might as well have been poison. I watched them land, watched Elijah's face crumple like I'd physically struck him.All the color drained from his features. His eyes went wide with pain so raw it made my stomach turn. His mouth opened but no sound came out, like I'd stolen his ability to speak.When he finally found his voice, it was strained, rough, barely above a whisper."You're right." He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing with the effort. "I'm sorry. I was forgetting my place.""Elijah, no, I mean Alpha Elijah, I should apologize. I am just worked up""No, you're absolutely right." He cleared his throat, the sound harsh. His hands clenched into fists at his sides before he deliberately relaxed them, forcing his body back into controlled composure. "I overstepped. Again. It seems to be a pattern with me."He turned to face me, and the careful blankness of his expression was somehow worse than the raw pain had been. It was like he'd shut down, pulled away, ret
VioletAmber instantly started to run away from me, but I was faster and blocked her way almost immediately.“Hey, wait” I called after her.“I just recalled this meeting…” she brushed me off, but I managed to grab her by the elbow.“Please,” I said, panting and trying to get my words out.“I am no
VioletI braced myself for glares, angry stares and a lot of huffing. I was prepared to see Elijah grow irritated upon seeing me.He had warned Cassie that he wasn’t coming to the lunch and he certainly didn’t want me around.But she had managed to do both somehow.And she knew we would both react
VioletThe way Elijah casually dismissed me as just Cassie’s friend shouldn’t have bothered me so much. It was what I had asked him to do. Yet it did.“In five hours? What do you mean?” Cassie’s high pitched wail dragged me out of my thoughts.Elijah kept walking away unhurriedly while she buzzed
VioletFor a full minute, I stared from the invitation to Cassie, rereading the name again and again.Then I pinched myself to test if I was dreaming.“You better be joking, Cassie.”I warned her but she stared at me with genuine confusion.“I am not joking. That invitation is true and dad will ser







