Victor’s POV.Why did I want to kiss her so badly?My body throbbed with need as my mouth moved closer to her upturned lips. Daisy’s perfect body was pressed against mine, and the urge to ravish her was stronger than I’d felt with any other woman.Yet, I didn’t dare touch her in that way. It would be a mistake that could cost me my bachelorhood or the leadership role I craved.How could this shy, innocent, and unsophisticated girl have such a powerful effect on me simply by holding her in my arms?Daisy wasn’t anywhere close to my type. My ideal woman is beautiful, high-maintenance, and ambitious.Daisy wasn’t high maintenance, and her ambitions were the opposite of mine.However, I knew Daisy could easily be considered beautiful on the surface if she tried to improve her looks.But I didn’t believe laziness kept Daisy from trying to look her best. Other people’s cruelty has eroded her self-confidence to the point that she thought she was ugly.Words can cause more damage than people
After what happened with Victor the previous day, I was in a sour mood the next day at school. But Werewolf History class made my day a nightmare.I had been looking forward to the class all morning. The chance to be in the same room as William raised my spirits a little. But my mood took a turn off a cliff soon after the class started.William smiled when he entered the room and saw me at my usual desk. I smiled back when he sat at the desk to my left.“How are you doing?” William asked me.“I …I’m good,” I said and smiled.Miss Grant, the teacher, stopped any more conversation between us when she demanded everyone’s attention.“Yesterday, I told you to read and study chapter twenty-three in your textbooks,” Miss Grant announced. “Today, I want you to write a short report on the chapter's highlights.”She handed out blank sheets of paper and said, “You have a one-half hour, and then we’ll go over some of them in class. Any questions?” When no one raised their hand, she said, “Begin.”
Daisy’s POV“Don’t give up on your dream. There is always a way for you to accomplish something if you want it badly enough.”I kept thinking about Victor’s words and his expression when he said it on our way home.“Actually…I’ve been thinking about your stutter for a while,” Victor suddenly said.Tears sprang to my eyes.“Stop making fun of me.” I put a hand on the door handle, ready to leave the car.“Look at me, Daisy,” Victor tightened his grip on my arm. I’m not being cruel or making fun of you,” he insisted. “I found out there are methods to help people control their stutter… I just didn’t have a chance to look through it and tell you about it.”I turned around and stared at him.“You told me you want to be a lawyer and advocate for poor Betas and Omegas,” he said. “That won’t happen if you can’t speak for them.”“I …I’m listening,” I said. Being able to speak clearly would make it easier to become a lawyer, and it would make me feel like less uncomfortable around other people.
Two weeks went by with daily dance lessons and speech therapy. Victor told me I was improving in both areas.But the best thing was I saw the improvement myself. So did many others at school.“You seem different lately,” Amy said as we ate lunch.“Different. How?“ I asked“You seem more … confident, I guess,“ Amy replied. “And you’re not stuttering nearly as much.“I couldn’t help grinning. “William hinted at the same thing yesterday in werewolf history class.”“That’s so great,” Amy said with a squeal. “Do you think he’s gonna ask you out sometime?”“I don’t know,“ I replied. “But he talks to me more and more every day.”“How is Victor?“ Amy asked. “ You two must be getting along better. He picks you up at the gate every afternoon.““He’s a great teacher, and the speech specialist he found for me is fantastic.“ I shrugged. “We still fight sometimes. He can be such an arrogant jerk. But I’m grateful for his help.”“Do you think Victor is hot?” Amy ask me“Why do you?” I countered.“No
Jennifer sprayed some stuff that smelled good on my hair and then began braiding it.“I’ll start at your crown and work my way down,” Jennifer said as her fingers worked magic on my hair. “I’ll leave a few tendrils around your face to soften the look.”Watching Jennifer smooth and braid my hair, adding sections as she went, was fascinating.“You make it look easy to do,” I said.“I have a lot of practice,” Jennifer replied. “The braids will stay in place for a few days. Ring for me, and I’ll take them out for you when your ready.”I watched Jennifer finish braiding my hair and checked my image in the mirror again. It was a definite improvement. But …“Less hair around my face shows my eyebrows more,” I sighed.“I could shape them a little for you,” Jennifer offered. She went into my bathroom and returned with a pair of silver tweezers.I looked sideways at the tweezers. “Will it hurt?” I asked.“It’s a little uncomfortable at first,” Jennifer admitted. “But you will love the effect.”
A second before he reached the door, Victor stopped and turned. He looked down and then started to turn away again.“I have to go,” he said. “Dr. Creed will be here soon anyway. I’ll see you tomorrow.” And he was gone.I didn’t understand. Had I made him angry? And what were the strange sensations he made me feel?There was one thing I did know. I didn’t like him.Victor is a rich, arrogant Alpha. How could I when he was everything I hated in today’s werewolf society?But I guess I didn't hate him either.I sat up and pushed Victor out of my mind. William wanted me to attend his next football game. It was William who was my best hope for a happy future.I had clean braids and wore a gorgeous new top as I walked into Werewolf history the next day. I was several minutes early, but to my surprise, William was already there.He waved me into the seat next to him. “Hey, Daisy. Still coming to the football game?”“Sure,” I replied and tried to think of something more to say. Fortunately, Wi
I got up from my bed and went to my bathroom to freshen up. I had my speech therapy in a few minutes and didn’t want to miss it. Victor was probably done helping me, but I could still keep improving myself.I believed in every word I said to Victor, but maybe I should have said the things I did more gently.Maybe.“I’m sorry, Miss Wilson. I didn’t know you were in here,” Jennifer said from behind me. “I’ve brought clean towels.” She studied my face for a moment. “Is everything okay?”I grimaced. “I said some things that made Victor very angry with me.”“I’m sure he won’t stay mad.” She said as she put the towels away in a cupboard. “Perhaps you should talk to your father. He could smooth things over with Mr. Klein.”“That’s a good idea, “ I agreed. “Thanks, Jennifer.”The things Victor said about my being disloyal to my family and pack struck a nerve. Would he tell Alex about our fight?I didn't know how my father would feel about what I said, but it would be better if he heard it fro
After school, I stood with Amy at our spot on the roof, watching our fellow students, parents, and teachers enter the football field to watch the game. We were working up our courage to join them.“William invited us to watch him play,” I told Amy. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”I handed her one of the sweatshirts I bought with our school’s name and our wolf mascot embroidered on the front. I needed her company to give me enough confidence to walk among all those people.“He invited you,” Amy argued. She took the sweatshirt and stuffed it under her arm.“He knows you’re coming with me,” I insisted. “Please, Amy, will you come with me.” I didn’t like pressuring my best friend to do something she didn’t want to do, but I was eager to watch William play.I squeezed her hand. “Pretty please, come watch the game with me.” Whether she went with me or not, I had to force myself to go down there to watch William play.But I understood Amy’s reluctance. Although we both enjoyed watching th