I had another werewolf history class today, and I was looking forward to it even more than usual.After all, this would be the first time William and I had a class together since he drove me home. I wonder if he would talk to me again.I got to class early and tried to stay calm while I waited for William to arrive.After watching the door for over five minutes before he entered the room.“Hello, Daisy,” he said and sat at the desk next to me.Yes! He had softened his attitude toward me. Plus, the people who were still talking about me behind my back had to notice my new friendlier relationship with William.We didn’t talk during class, but I was ecstatic to have William sitting next to me. Yet, he was such a distraction that I had trouble concentrating on what the teacher was saying.I heard Miss Grant calling on other kids to answer questions, but I couldn’t focus on what she was saying. I kept glancing at William, admiring his handsome profile and how his blond hair glistened with
Victor was waiting for me in another cool sports car parked in front of the school. The silver Lamborghini was a beautiful machine, but it had to have cost a fortune. Victor really liked to spend his money.“I bought the car today,” Victor said with a proud smile. “Do you like it?”“It’s great,” I said. It would have been meant to say no or make a big deal over the price of a car. It was Victor’s money. Who was I to judge how he spent it?“Where are we going?” I asked as Victor climbed behind the car’s steering wheel.“You’ll see.” He started the engine and gave me a sly smile.Victor drove for over a half hour. I was mesmerized by the expert way he handled the car and didn’t notice much of the scenery until he pulled in front of a beautiful villa. The sign told me it was the workshop of a famous fashion designer.I didn’t know there was such a thing as designer swimsuits. Rich people constantly surprise me.Inside the villa, several staff members immediately flocked to Victor’s side.
When I woke up this morning, I remembered it was Friday, and a jolt of panic rushed through me. The pool party is tomorrow, and I’m already feeling jittery. But I’m also looking forward to it.I wish I was more confident and felt like a real Alpha. It would make fitting into my new life easier. But inside, I still felt like the old Daisy.It feels like I’m merely pretending to be a member of the dominant group of werewolves, no matter how pretty my glasses are or how much my clothes cost.When I arrived at school, Amy was waiting for me in our usual spot.“What’s up?” Amy asked. “You look frazzled.”“Tomorrow is the pool party,” I reminded her. “I’m kinda nervous.”“Don’t be,” Amy said. “You’re going to have a wonderful time. It’ll be great.”“I hope so.” I gave her a side hug. “I’m excited, and I want to go. But thinking about what could go wrong makes me feel half sick.”“Nothing is going to go wrong,” Amy insisted. “After tomorrow, you’ll wonder why you were nervous.” She knew exac
"Why are you wearing the wetsuit?" Victor demanded as we stood in front of Alex’s mansion. “You've got a beautiful new swimsuit that looks amazing on you, yet you’re wearing that … thing to William’s party.”“The wetsuit is more comfortable for me,” I said. “I was too self-conscious in that skimpy swimsuit.”“Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look?” Victor asked me. He ran a hand through his thick, black hair and leaned against his car. “We’re going to a pool party, not a deep sea expedition.”Victor paced around the car twice.“Get in the car. There’s no time to argue with you, or for you to change your outfit even if you were willing to be reasonable.” He opened the passenger door for me.“I don’t care who doesn’t like it,” I said. “I wasn’t comfortable showing that much skin, and I'm tired of trying to be somebody I’m not.”“You’ve set yourself up to be ridiculed in front of William. He won’t want to be associated with you after this.” Victor started the car. “Don’t say I did
My heart was pounding, but I tried not to show how terrified I was. Bella is a bully, and showing fear would only make her bolder. If I remained calm, maybe she would tire of trying to torment me and go away.But Bella was on a mission.“Look at you. You are such an unbelievable dork,” Bella said with another laugh. “Only you would wear a freaking wetsuit to a pool party. Does it hurt to be this stupid?”“Pluh … please, jus … just lah … leave me alone,” I stammered. “I … I didn’t do … do any … anything to you.” I tried to walk away, but she grabbed my arm and spun me around.“You didn’t do anything to me!” Bella repeated. She positioned herself, nose to nose, in front of me.Smelling a strong drink on her breath, I looked down at the ground. The hate in her eyes was terrifying.“Because of you, you freak, I was transferred to an all-girls school,” Bella said hotly. “Do you know what it’s like? I have to wear a freaking uniform, and the teachers are so strict we get detention just for
The weight of the water became lighter as the surface came closer. Hands grabbed my arms as my head broke the surface.It was William. He was kneeling on deck helping pull me from the water.Then who was my rescuer?As William helped lift me to the pool deck and placed me on my side, Victor climbed from the water.Pool water rushed from my mouth as I coughed and sputtered.“Daisy, are you okay?” Victor asked. “How did you fall in the water?”I couldn’t speak as I continued to cough up water. Victor had saved me. He now sat on the pool deck in front of me while William was behind me.“She didn’t fall,” Mrs. James said. “I was inside ensuring the kitchen staff had prepared enough food when I heard a commotion near the pool house. I looked out a window and saw the Burrows girl bullying Daisy. I saw her push her into the pool.”“Are you sure Bella pushed her?” William asked his mother. He looked around the pool house for Bella, but she was gone.“Yes,” Mrs. James insisted. “But I saw Dais
“Thanks for your help, Victor, but I can walk into the house on my own,” I said as I made my way to the front entrance of Alex’s mansion.Moving slowly in my bare feet, I held closed the ugly hospital robe I was wearing with one hand. I couldn’t believe the difference a few hours made in my life.Even though I was nervous, I had been looking forward to the pool party. Now I just wanted this day to end and forget it ever happened.After almost drowning, I agreed to go to the hospital and let a doctor check me out, but I refused to stay. I wanted to go home, and I never wanted to see the wetsuit that a nurse had helped me remove ever again.I saw my reflection in the front door glass and cringed. I looked even worse than I felt. Besides the ugly hospital robe I wore, my hair was frizzed out to maximum volume, my complexion was still pasty, and there were dark circles under my eyes.I’ve never looked worse.“At least lean on me, Daisy. Please,” Victor said. “You’re tired, and you’ve been
I had a good night's sleep and was feeling better this morning, but I was horrified about the prospect of getting up and attempting to dance in front of three hundred guests.I found Alex in his private workspace in the morning.“I...I can’t dance,” I told him. “You d …don’t want anyone to see me d …dance.”Couldn’t he tell I’m an awkward, uncoordinated mess who should never attempt to sully a dance floor?“I’ve s …seen ballroom dan …dancing on television,” I said, recalling the elegant, graceful couples and how they moved in unison across a dance floor. “But I …I can't do it.”“Nonsense,” Alex replied. “I’ll hire a dance instructor. You’ll learn how to dance. Your mother and I loved to dance together. It’s fun. You’ll see. Just try it, sweetheart.”I sighed. I couldn't say no to Alex. I could tell he wanted the best for me.Maybe it would turn out better than the pool party. But even before Bella pushed me into the pool, the party had been a disaster for me.That was my fault. I am a