The fire company arrived moments after I did and put out the fire before the Mercedes exploded.But the car Alex gave me for my graduation was destroyed.I held back my tears as a group of reporters demanded I make a statement and ran back toward the store to call Benson for a ride home.Joe arrived quickly in the limousine. I was surprised to see Benson riding in the passenger seat.โAre you alright, Miss?โ he asked as he rushed out of the limo and chased away the reporters with a stern look and a wave of his hand.I nodded in answer and lost the fight with my tears.Benson helped me into the backseat of the limousine with the shopping bags I had forgotten I was holding.โI arranged to have your car towed back to the estate,โ he told me. โIโm sure Mr. Klein will want someone to go over it for evidence.โโEvidence of what?โ a reporter asked behind him.โArson is a crime, and eavesdropping is extremely rude,โ Benson informed the reporter before climbing into the car next to me and clos
Victorโs POVโDaisy, fighting this will just make it worse and keep it alive longer,โ I explained. โPeople are going to believe what they want no matter what we say.โโYou are underestimating the situation,โ she argued. โWe need to do something. I canโt even turn my phone on without getting nasty prank calls, and somebody roasted my car!โI tried to put my arms around her, but she pulled away from me. โSweetheart, giving it air will keep it going.โโYouโre going to wait until itโs too late,โ Daisy said, her eyes flashing with anger. โAre you paying attention to whatโs happening to us?โShe turned and put her hands on my chest. โThey want to take the leadership away from you. They hound me wherever I go and on TV and in the newspapers. We must do something!โHer incredible green eyes pleaded with mine, and I knew Iโd lost the argument.But perhaps she was right.I kissed her and headed for the door.โWhere are you going?โ she called after me.โI need to think,โ I replied and went out t
Daisyโs POVโYou were right,โ Victor admitted. He arrived at the mansion a few minutes ago and was taking off his suit to get ready for bed.I sat up on my side of the big bed. โI donโt care about being right. All I wanted was for us to be on the same page and fight this threat to our lives together.โVictor unbuttoned his white shirt. โIโm sorry it took so long for me to see it. Now we only have six weeks, or the council will replace me and repeal the new college admissions laws.โโSix weeks is plenty of time,โ I assured him. โAnd the council agreed to stand behind you while we work to uncover the identity of our foe. That is good news.โHe kissed me before sitting on the edge of the bed to remove his trousers. โIโm truly sorry, my love, I didn't take your advice before. I donโt know what made me think a huge problem of this type would disappear.โโI understand why,โ I said. โWe have had too many obstacles to our happiness. Iโm also tired of having to fight these threats constantly.โ
I knew as I followed the man to the back door how he was getting inside Lucyโs home. It hadnโt been a dog I heard squeezing through Buddyโs door.It was a wolf.Why hadnโt I thought of it before? If a large dog like Buddy could squeeze through the dog door, so could a small wolf.Without making a sound, I reached the bottom of the stairs. I stayed close to the foyer's walls to keep the man from spotting me and made my way to the kitchen.Peeking around the doorway, I saw what I expected.I took several photos of the neighbor pushing the vase through the dog door before shifting. As planned, he was leaving with the decoy vase. We could track the vase with the GPS tracker and tell the police.But before the wolf put his head through the dog door, a sound behind me made him turn. Amy had followed me downstairs. Her surprise at seeing the small wolf made her gasp.The wolf bared his teeth and snarled at us. But his small size made him no problem for Amy and me, especially if we shifted to
โIt must be important, or you wouldnโt be calling me,โ I heard Shane say. โCan you give me a hint about what itโs about?โโDaisy and I are staying at Alexโs mansion while heโs away on a cruise,โ Victor said. Why donโt you come for dinner, and weโll discuss it? Weโll wait for you and dine when you get here.โโIโll be there soon,โ Shane agreed. โIโm ten minutes away.โโYou want Shane to write the story of the antiquities thefts,โ I guessed. โDo you think the newspapers will print it if he does?โโThey print every word Shane writes,โ Victor replied. โBut we will see what he thinks.โโShane may not want to take on the story,โ I said. I didnโt want to start trouble for him. He had a promising career ahead of him.โWe can ask,โ Victor said and kissed my hand.I was glad Victor thought of asking Shane to correct the TV news report. It was past time Victor and I fought back.An article telling the truth about how the thief was caught would be a beginning. And with Shaneโs name on it, there wa
Benson was smiling while he poured our coffee the next morning. โIf you donโt mind me saying so, Miss, itโs good to see the truth about you being reported instead of lies or distortions.โVictor and I exchanged a warm look before I thanked Benson for his kind words.I had spent a passionate evening with myhandsome and virile fiancรฉ and slept as well as he had predicted.We were both feeling refreshed and happy. The article Shane wrote about me was a bonus to our blissful morning.After my first sip of delicious coffee, I unfolded The Gazette and placed it in front of me, grinning at the spread across the bottom of the first page.Besides the copy Shane emailed to us last night, the newspaper had printed three photos. Two were photos I took of the burglar after he stole the decoy vase and was trying to leave the house.In the first, I captured the neighbor pushing the vase through the dog door, and then the second showed his wolf as he was trying to escape through the same dog door.T
I couldnโt believe my ears. Would John Cameron ever get out of my life and leave us alone?His quest for wealth and power was ruining many more lives than just mine.โHe must be stopped,โ I said to myself, but Victor and Jayden nodded in agreement.โJayden, try to narrow down the location of the factionโs headquarters,โ Victor requested. โI like to know where my enemy is at all times.โโIโm on it,โ he replied. โI planted a man within the faction. Heโs being trusted more each day. Iโll contact you as soon as I know more.โWe thanked him, and Jayden left. Numbly, we went inside and sat silently in the living room.โEvery time we think the situation is under control, we find out the opposite is true,โ I grumbled. โItโs too much. Iโm tired of constantly fighting a foe.โVictor pulled me close to his side. โWe need to take a little break from it. Maybe we need to stay here by ourselves and not watch TV or read the newspapers.โโJust for the weekend,โ I agreed. โIt may recharge our energy.โ
I rolled over in the darkness and reached for Victor, but his side of the bed was empty. Looking outside, I saw it wasnโt dawn yet.Where was he?I thought about the way he wanted to go directly to sleep after our conversation about wanting a calmer life, and I started to worry.I waited a few moments in case my instincts were wrong, and he was in the bathroom. When he didnโt return to the bed, I got up and wrapped myself in my robe before going looking for him.Victor wasnโt in the bathroom or downstairs, so I went outside and circled the cabin. I was relieved to see my truck was still parked near the front porch. He hadnโt left the lake unless he walked.But my search of the rear of the cabin told me he hadnโt walked away either. He was running.I folded his jeans and laid them on the back stairs before removing the robe and calling for Diana.โWe must find Victor,โ I told Diana.โI sense he and Adam are running around the lake,โ Diana assured me. โHe is calm but unsure about his fu
I woke to the enticing scent of dark roast coffee. I stretched and realized I had slept more than I thought I would that previous night. The smell of coffee grew stronger, and I felt steam on my nose.Opening my eyes, I saw Amy standing over me, waving a mug under my nose. โWakey wakey,โ she crooned. โItโs your wedding day. Victor expects to see you at the chapel in two hours.โI reached for the mug and took a sip. The coffee was laced with dark chocolate almond milk and a touch of steamed heavy cream.โMmm, thanks, Amy. Itโs just the way I like it,โ I said. โThis is such a treat.โ I stretched again and took another sip.โEnjoy it, but donโt dawdle in bed,โ Amy put her makeup bag on the nightstand. โYou need to get in the shower and wash your hair. Anna will be here to help us soon.โAfter waiting for this day to come for so long, I was both ecstatic and a little nervous that something would go wrong.โIs it really going to happen?โ I asked my best friend. โAm I really going to be his
Kayla kept her word. The estate that we named Juniper Acres because of the dozens of Juniper trees on the grounds became ours a few days after my talk with her.I liked the small trees. They had a pleasant, fresh, and woodsy scent, and the blue/ green berries were pretty and had many uses.Besides making arrangements for our wedding, Victor and I spent the last three weeks getting our mansion ready for us to move in. It was a labor of love, knowing it was all ours.We painted some of the rooms in different colors that we preferred. I especially liked the shade of yellow that we painted our breakfast room.Like Alexโs mansion, our breakfast room had many windows facing east for plenty of natural sunlight. We would enjoy our mornings together, enjoying our first cup of coffee in the room.The living room now had comfy, overstuffed furniture in light blue and walnut. The carpets and drapes were neutral colors that set off the polished wooden floors.It was an inviting room. I looked forw
Victor called the realtor while I stood beside him with my fingers crossed. There had to be a way to fix the snag, whatever it was. The estate was perfect for us. We couldnโt lose it.I heard the realtorโs voice when she answered his call. โVictor, Iโm sorry for giving you bad news.โโWhatโs the problem?โ Victor asked. His voice was calm, but I saw the tension on his face.โThe current owners of the Juniper Lane estate are two granddaughters of previous deceased owners. One of the young women refuses to sell to Miss Wilson.โPuzzled, Victor and I looked at each other.โWhy?โ Victor asked.โShe claims Miss Wilson did something to cause her problems in the past,โ the realtor responded. โI canโt change her mind. She refuses to sign the papers to finalize the sale.โDoes she know the size of the offer we made?โ Victor asked as I searched my memory for the identity of the granddaughter.But I couldnโt think of who I had angered that much. I shrugged at Victor and did a palms up.โWho is sh
โIโm sorry,โ I said and knelt down to pick up the pieces of broken glass.โThatโs alright, Miss Wilson,โ Benson said. โThomas will take care of the mess.โ He motioned to a footman. โLet me get you another glass of tea.โโAre you okay, Daisy?โ Cassidy asked. โWe shouldnโt have shocked you with the news in front of guests.โI shook my head and tried to smile. โNo, Iโm fine. I was just surprised. Congratulations. Iโm happy for both of you.โ But was I? I had been an only child since Alex found me.Even though I knew Alex would continue to love me, my only experience with having a sibling wasnโt a positive one. Andrea enjoyed making my life miserable.So, I wasnโt sure how I felt about having a half-sister or brother. However, I was sure Alex and Cassidy wouldnโt treat me like the Smiths, and Iโm optimistic the baby wouldnโt be like Andrea.But what would change in my life?โAre you sure, sweetheart?โ Alex asked. He looked concerned, and even though I had been shocked, I didnโt want to spo
Victorโs POVDaisy was terrified. I could tell she was afraid her stutter would return. If she was scared enough, it could happen. She needed my love and support.I stepped forward to kiss her cheek and whispered in her ear, โNo matter what, I love you. But you can do this. Iโm right here with you. Pick one person in the crowd and talk to them.โDaisy gave me a weak smile, and I saw her take a deep, trembling breath. She looked out at the crowd of strange faces, and I knew the instant she saw someone she recognized.It was Amy, standing with Justin, William, and Penny among the sea of reporters. They must have heard about the press conference and come to support us. They were true friends.I sensed Daisy was relaxing, and she began to speak.โWhen I was seventeen, I worked in a restaurant owned by my best friendโs father. While waiting on customers and bussing tables, I dreamed of going to college and getting my law degree.โI wanted to use that degree to help the werewolf classes who
Victor and I freshened up while trying to think about what we wanted to say. Then we went back downstairs and watched the reporters and news anchors arrive outside the mansion.โThere are so many,โ I said. โIโve never seen this many reporters at once before.โโThey are coming from other cities to be here,โ Shane said. โYour and Victorโs vision for the future is big news. There are rumors that Victor is going to quit the leadership, and youโre moving away from Denhurst.โFindlay snorted. โI heard that rumor, along with several crazier ones. I think the people need to be reassured of your good intentions for everyone.โโI can understand that,โ Victor said. โHow about you, Daisy?โAll I could do was nod. I understood, but I was growing nervous about going out there in front of such a large crowd of reporters and photographers. There were so many. It was like a sea of people forming over the vast front lawn.My hands began to tremble when the estate staff began moving the temporary stage
I cried all the way back to the mansion. Amy remained silent, patting my arm occasionally and handing me tissues when I needed them.She pulled into the driveway and to the front entrance before she spoke.โIt looks like Alex has company,โ she said. โWhoโs limos are they?โI punched the seat. โThat one is Lanaโs, and the one pulling in next to us is Lily Jamesโs. The nerve of that pushy woman. She followed us!โโBut look, Daisy,โ Amy pointed toward the front doors. โVictor is here.โI wiped my eyes and saw Victor coming toward me. He opened the car door and took me into his arms.โDonโt cry, sweetheart,โ he crooned. โGisele called and told me what happened. So I had Findlay call everyone here for a quick meeting to set them all straight.โI stopped crying and nodded even though I wasnโt sure it would help.โThis nonsense will stop now,โ Victor took my hand and helped me from the car.We waited for Amy to put the baby in the stroller before going inside.I looked around the foyer, unab
Victorโs mouth opened, but no words came out at first. Then he shook off his surprise.โAre you serious?โ he asked.โYes, Iโve been thinking about it for weeks,โ I replied.Why did Victor look so shocked? During the few times we had spoken about kids, he said he wanted a family.Tears stung my eyes, and I turned away from him. โMaybe I shouldnโt have brought it up.โVictor gently turned me around. โI know youโve been upset since Amy had the baby, but I didnโt know it was because you want one too.โโWhen I first held Brendre, I felt such a rush of love that it was all I could think about for days,โ I explained. โI never thought much of babies before. I think it's because my adoptive parents rejected me when they had their own baby.โโThat makes sense.โ Victor took my hand and started walking down the beach again. โAnyone would feel that way.โโHolding Amyโs baby made me realize I very much want to be a mother,โ I said. โAnd I donโt want to wait a long time to start our family.โโWhat a
Daisyโs POVI couldn't believe Victor was leaving. Couldnโt he stay with me at the beach house for just one day?An emptiness in the pit of my stomach started when he turned to leave. It grew after he went out the door. Through our bond, I felt his painful, churning emotions and wondered if he was finished with me.I couldnโt lose him! Iโd return to Denhurst this minute and marry him in any ceremony his mother wanted. The only thing that really mattered about my wedding was Victor must be the groom.I had to stop him from leaving. I needed to know what was on his mind and in his heart.Running out the door after him, I saw him climb into his car and start the engine.โNo!โ I cried as I jumped in front of the Lamborghini. โDonโt leave me, Victor. I love you!โThe Lamborghiniโs engine stopped, and Victor leaped out of the driverโs seat. He hurried to my side.โWhy wonโt you stay with me?โ I asked.โI thought you wanted to be here alone,โ Victor replied. His body was trembling with emoti