Page 18 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

“I won’t. I’ll update you soon. I’m gonna get started on the prelim sketches from the inspo photos she brought for our first meeting.”

“Magazine clippings?”

I laugh. “No one does magazine clippings anymore. No, she has a bunch of printouts and I gave her my email address so she can send me her Pinterest board.”

“Pinterest? Brides are still doing that?”

“Oh yes. It’s still insanely popular for planning aesthetics. It works for me.”

“As long as it works for you. CC me on that prelim sketch. I’d love to see the process as it goes.”

“Sure! We’ll talk soon. I’m available on text, too,” I remind her.

“You know I hate texting.”

“Get with the times, Jessie!” I grin, suddenly feeling so grateful to talk to her.

“Okay, okay. Talk soon. I’lltextyou.” Her emphasis on the word shows her utter disdain.

I laugh again. “Talk soon.”

I end the call, letting the ease of a normal conversation and a bit of laughter linger with me. I make another cup of coffee, move my open suitcase to the floor, then settle in at the table with my sketch pad and pencils.

I brought my computer with my design software and the pattern projector, but I still always do my preliminary sketches with pencil and paper. I use the computer to look at the Pinterest board that Violet sent me.

Her email does not mention her father hunting for me or her brother coming back because he changed his mind about killing me. Those are good signs.

The Pinterest board is basically an extension of the printouts she brought. It features elegant bodices, sweetheart necklines, intricate beading, and a long train with beading on the hem. It will take a lot of work, but that's good. I need the distraction.

I thought about Violet’s personality and style and realized I remembered her from high school. I remember Trey, too.

He’d always been the one to pick her up after extracurricular activities and when we did field trips. I think he had even been a chaperone a few times.

I’m pretty sure I thought he was her father or uncle or something. I guess he’s not that much older than her. He acts like her parent to her now, also.

He’s protective of her and committed to giving her the best wedding possible, including letting an exile design and make her wedding gown.

He was wearing jeans and a plain dark tee today. He always used to wear suits. I think it made him seem older. Why doesn’the wear suits anymore? Does he work? He didn’t say but I also really didn’t get a chance to ask.

Violet was wearing a suit. She didn’t say what she does for a living either. I know they’re good to pay for this dress—because it’s going to cost a lot.

With their family name, they never need to work. But I still like knowing the hobbies of my customers. I like to know who they are—what they love.

I guess this time, I’ll have to go on the Pinterest board alone. I’m not calling Violet now. I’m going to have to email her the scans of these sketches. I have her number in my files, too.

I’m used to being able to talk to my clients, to be friendly with them. It doesn’t feel right here. One wrong move can get me killed.

For a few hours, I work on my sketches and get in the zone, trying to forget that I’m in such a precarious situation and it’s only day one of 90 or more.

I keep thinking back to Trey’s hand on my throat, his claws scraping my skin, and I can’t help but notice the snap I felt, like something falling into place.

Maybe that was a warning. Maybe it was something else. I don’t know because I’ve never felt it before. All that I know is that his knowledge of who I am and my presence in this city puts my lifein danger. And the hardest part is that I can’t tell another soul about this.

I’ve never felt more alone in my entire life.

Chapter 6

TREY

---