LOGINVioletWhen I realized he wasn’t going anywhere I took the bottle from him, forcing myself to stop behaving erratically.I was the goddamn Director of Design. I was supposed to be calm and composed, not screaming like a lunatic.Thankfully, nobody except Elijah saw my meltdown. My gaze flicked to his torn shirt that he quickly buttoned over and covered up with his coat.I raised a shaking hand to wipe at my face after finishing another bottle of water."Here." Elijah pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, offering it to me.I hesitated before taking it and dabbed at my face, wiping away the sweat and probably most of my ruined makeup along with it.I wondered what a disaster I must look to him with that messed up hair and mascara running down my eyes.What would the security guards think of me? What would Elijah think of me after I clung to him and clawed at him?I felt embarrassed and couldn’t even look him in the eye."You missed a spot," Elijah said softly.I lowered the handkerch
VioletHe slightly angled my face to the right and I followed his gaze, turning my head slightly to look at the now-open elevator doors.Three security guards stood there, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion. Behind them, the hallway of the parking garage stretched out normally. Fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, concrete walls solid and unremarkable.“Calm down. You’re safe” He repeated as I still didn’t let go of his shirt.The security guards were staring at us. At me, specifically, still clinging to Elijah like he was a life raft in stormy seas. Their faces were carefully neutral in the way of people witnessing something awkward but trying to be professional about it."Leave," Elijah ordered, his voice brooking no argument. "Now. And get maintenance to check this elevator immediately.""Alpha, but you are…" One of them began but Elijah repeated in a stern voice."Now!!"The security guards nodded and hurried away immediately, leaving the two of us in the still open
VioletMeanwhile, Elijah grabbed me, turned me away from the doors and pulled me against his chest. His body formed a shield between me and whatever I was seeing, solid and warm and real."It's okay," he was saying, his voice urgent but controlled. "You're okay. Nothing's going to hurt you. I'm here."But it wasn't okay. Nothing was okay. Because I could still see her over his shoulder, could see the witch pulling herself further out of the mirror-door, could see her mouth moving in silent words that felt like hooks in my mind.Finish what was started. Free me!!"No," I whimpered, my body growing tired due to the struggle against his arms that might as well have been made of steel.No matter how much I scratched or clawed at him, he didn’t let go.He only pulled me closer, burying my face in Elijah's shirt, wrapping my arms around him with desperate strength."No, no, no."His arms tightened around me, one hand coming up to cradle the back of my head. "I've got you," he murmured, his
VioletIt was time to prove that yesterday's rest had fixed whatever was wrong with me.I picked up my digital pen and touched it to the tablet.And my hand obeyed me.Relief flooded through me as I sketched out a concept for a bracelet, then another for a pendant. They were all normal designs, beautiful but unremarkable, exactly what I should be creating.There were no wolves, thorns or compulsive repetition or loss of control.I'd been right. It had just been stress and exhaustion. Nothing supernatural or strange, just my brain and body telling me I needed rest.I worked through the morning with growing confidence, creating design after design, each one coming easily and naturally. This was what I was good at, what I was meant to do.By lunch, I had a small collection of concepts ready to present to the team. I felt productive and competent and almost happy.Maybe everything really would be okay.Maybe, just maybe, I could get my life back under control.The afternoon passed in a si
VioletNo visions of castles and knives and Elijah's black eyes hounded me. Just empty, dreamless darkness that let me rest. That emboldened my assumption that it had all just been a trick of my tired mind.When I woke the next morning, sunlight was streaming through my windows at a normal hour. I felt more rested than I had in days, clearer-headed, almost normal.Maybe Mom was right. Maybe I'd just needed some time off, some proper rest, and everything would make sense again.I got ready for work a bit more optimistically, dressing carefully and taking time with my hair and makeup. Today would be better and normal.The office building looked the same as always when I pulled into the parking garage. I rode the elevator up to my floor, exchanged pleasant greetings with colleagues I passed in the hallway.Everything was fine. Everything was normal.I reached my office door and was about to open it when I noticed movement inside through the glass walls.Someone was in my office. At first
VioletDane's face lit up with hope and gratitude. "Nothing difficult. I need you to pass on valuable information to me of important project details, contract negotiations, and strategic plans. Basically, all the things you'd have access to as Director of Design. I'm not asking you to do anything illegal or dangerous. Just... keep me informed. Level the playing field so he can't blindside us again."It sounded reasonable when he put it that way. It sounded almost noble, like I'd be protecting people rather than betraying anyone.But the knot in my stomach suggested otherwise."I need to think about it," I said finally, pulling my hand back."Of course." Dane didn't push, just smiled and raised his wine glass. "Take all the time you need. For now, let's just enjoy this meal. You've earned a celebration after everything you've been through."The rest of dinner passed in a blur. Dane was charming and attentive, keeping the conversation light and pleasant. The food was exquisite, each c
VioletDespite my fear of getting caught, my brain couldn’t stop wondering about the stuff I had just seen and heard.So was this wedding just a distraction? And who were ‘they’ and what were those weird symbols on the papers?Lady Aurelia had mentioned that this manor was filled with secrets so we
VioletHe carried me to the bed and set me gently on the bed. I immediately curled into myself, trying to contain the need, but it was useless. Every breath brought his scent of pine and rain and something darkly masculine that made my mouth water.He reached for a towel as another moan cut me off
VioletI wasn't paying much attention to what Gavin and Tyler were saying or when Cassie had joined in the conversation.They were busy trying to come up with ideas to put Nate and Nicole in their place. Meanwhile, my phone rang and I saw mom’s name flash on my screen.I walked out of the room to t
VioletI stood there long after Nate walked away, the paper’s weight still burning against my palm even though it was no longer there, as if the words had imprinted themselves directly into my skin. The street felt too open suddenly, too exposed, my thoughts dancing all around my brain.I was stil







