Chapter 226 Chapter 226

Chapter 226 Chapter 226
Violet

The 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, retreated behind walls I'd helped him build.

"As your employer," he said, choosing each word carefully, "I can offer you unconditional leave. The best medical treatment available. Any resources you might need. But that doesn’t mean I don’t believe you. I just want you to be safe, that’s it."

I wanted to take it back but the words stuck in my throat.

Why did I feel the pain when I had every right to hurt him?

"I'm fine," I said instead, the words completely inadequate. "I don't need time off or doctors or anything. But you do.”

My gaze slipped to his wounds, the ones he was hiding beneath his coat.

“Nah, I am fine. Nothing my wolf cant heal.”

Then why are you always bleeding? I wanted to ask. Instead, I heard myself say.

“I…am truly sorry for my behavior. I shouldn’t have come near you.”

His eyes shone brightly with something. “I am grateful you did”

I heard him mutter under his breath and I stepped back so as to put some more physical distance between us.

I needed to stop talking at this point.

“I just... I just need to get home."

"Then I’ll drop you home." The offer came immediately.

"No." The refusal was equally automatic.

Elijah nodded, like he'd expected nothing else. "Then let my driver drop you. Please. Your car is still here, and I don't think you should be driving after what just happened."

"I can drive myself"

"Violet." He cut me off, and there was something almost desperate in his voice despite the careful control.

"Please. If you don't trust me with your safety, I understand. I've given you no reason to trust me with anything. But let someone else drive you home. Let me at least do that much."

The pleading beneath the formal words was impossible to ignore. And he was right, even if I didn't want to admit it. My hands were still shaking. Some part of me wanted to go back in his arms and feel that warmth again but I quashed it down,

"Okay," I said finally. "Your driver can drop me."

Relief flooded Elijah's features, so profound it was almost painful to witness. "Thank you."

He pulled out his phone and made a quick call, arranging for his driver to bring the car around. 

When he hung up, he slid the phone back into his pocket and gestured toward the elevator bank. Then he seemed to remember why we were sitting on the stairs in the first place.

"The car will meet you at the main entrance," he said instead. "I'll walk with you….” and then added. “If you don’t mind.”

I only shook my head as we climbed the stairs in silence, my legs protesting each step, exhaustion making even this simple task feel monumental. 

Elijah stayed one step behind me, close enough to catch me if I stumbled but far enough to maintain respectful distance.

The main lobby was nearly empty at this hour, just the night security guard and a few late-working employees. The guard nodded respectfully to Elijah as we passed.

A sleek car waited at the curb outside, the driver already standing by the open rear door.

"Thank you," I said to Elijah, not quite meeting his eyes. "For everything. For helping me in the elevator and the ride home"

"Of course." His voice was soft. "Can you please call me when you get home safely? Please?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The driver helped me into the car, closed the door with a soft click, and we pulled away from the curb.

I watched Elijah through the rear window as we drove away. He stood on the sidewalk, hands in his pockets, watching the car until we turned the corner and he disappeared from view.

Only then did I let myself slump against the seat, let the exhaustion and confusion and fear wash over me without having to maintain any facade.

My phone buzzed approximately twenty minutes later, just as we were pulling onto my street.

It was a call from Elijah.

“Did you reach home safely?” He asked without bothering to say hi or hello.

His voice sounded anxious.

“Just pulling up outside the pack gate. Thank you for everything. And sorry again"

We were being too formal with each other, too stiff and cordial.

“Are you feeling any better? You should really visit your pack doctor if you feel unwell again. I can arrange for…”

“I just need some sleep.”

He stopped himself. “Okay, goodnight then.”

I was about to disconnect the call when I heard him say. “And Violet?”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t apologize for anything ever. And you can call me anytime if you need anything.”

I only gave him a “hmm” and he whispered “Goodnight Violet. Hope you sleep well” before disconnecting.

I just tucked my phone away and thanked the driver as he opened my door.

Mom was waiting when I walked inside, her face lighting up when she saw me before concern replaced the joy.

"Sweetie, you look exhausted. Was it Dane who dropped you off? I didn't recognize the car."

"No," I said, heading straight for the stairs. "My car had a flat tire. The office sent a car to bring me home."

The lie came easier than the truth would have because it was easier than explaining about the elevator and the vision and Elijah's concern and the knot in my stomach.

"Oh." Mom's face fell slightly, clearly disappointed it hadn't been Dane. "Well, did you at least have a good day at work?"

"It was fine, Mom. I'm just really tired. I think I'm going to head straight to bed."

"Of course, honey. Sleep well."