I rolled over in the darkness and reached for Victor, but his side of the bed was empty. Looking outside, I saw it wasn’t 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 didn’t return to the bed, I got up and wrapped myself in my robe before going looking for him.Victor wasn’t 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 hadn’t left the lake unless he walked.But my search of the rear of the cabin told me he hadn’t 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.“We must find Victor,” I told Diana.“I sense he and Adam are running around the lake,” Diana assured me. “He is calm but unsure about his fu
We shifted and faced the bear side by side.“Watch out for its claws,” Victor advised. “They are as deadly as its teeth.”But the bear was startled by the change in our size and appearance. It roared and shook its head at us. We snarled at it, showing our fangs and pawing the ground in answer.Working together, our wolves forced the bear to move out of the cave’s entrance. We followed it out of the cave and into the open.“Don’t run yet, my love,” Victor warned. “We must slowly back away from the bear. If it charges us, don’t turn and run. We will fight it off together.”The bear understood it was outnumbered, and we weren’t looking for a fight. But it knew we would fight if it made us defend ourselves. It allowed us to retreat to the lakeshore, and it ran back toward the cave.“Let’s go,” Adam said. “Before it changes its mind.”“Have you never seen a bear before, Adam?” Diana asked.“No,” he replied. “And I never want to see another. They are unpredictable beasts. I’d rather fight a
Victor and I hurriedly packed our things before breaking the news to William and Penny that we had to leave.“We’re sorry, but we must go home immediately,” Victor said as we came down the stairs, lugging our suitcases.“Oh no.” William grabbed a suitcase from my hands. “What happened?”“We aren’t sure. Victor’s assistant called, and he is needed in Denhurst,” I answered. “We truly wish we could stay with you for another day.”“It must be rough to have such an important job,” William said. “I don’t envy you at all, Victor.”“There is a lot of responsibility with the leadership role,” Victor agreed. “But the job is important to me.”“You care about doing what’s best for all of us,” Penny said. “I’m glad you have the power to make changes and draft laws that will help everyone.”As a Beta, Penny understood what it was like to be discriminated against. Every time I was around her, I liked her even better. William was fortunate to have found her for his mate.I hoped his mother wasn’t giv
“We can’t run away and abandon everything,” I said. This situation couldn’t be real. Why were so many people easily manipulated into believing nonsense?“Daisy is right. There’s no way we will leave Denhurst and our lives behind,” Victor said. “John Cameron and his faction would instantly take over, and he would become a dictator.”“Beta, Omega, and the less affluent Alpha lives would be worthless,” Findlay agreed. “They would essentially become slaves for the wealthy Alphas to become richer.”“We can’t let that happen!” I declared. I had no doubt Findlay was right. Alex warned Victor and me that John thought these people were his pawns to be used for his enrichment.I was trying to remain calm so I could think clearly, but the possibility of Victor and I losing to the faction was very real. If John won this fight, many more lives than ours would be ruined.“Have you considered repealing the new laws?” Findlay suggested. “Even if you announce that you are putting them on hold until yo
Victor called Denhurst’s police commissioner and ordered John Cameron Jr. held under double guard, and he sent Shane to interview him on video.“Cameron is going to do everything he can to get his son released from jail before we can prove who he is,” I said. “Can you send your own guards to the prison to ensure he doesn’t disappear?”“That’s a good idea,” Victor said before making two calls to make my suggestion happen.Findlay was still monitoring the news channels. “Something is happening that could help or hurt us,” he said as he pointed at the television.Betas and Omegas had begun to hold peaceful protests and rallies to counter the misinformation and lies about themselves.I was pleased to see many news channels interviewing them.“The stories about us taking over the city by force is a pack of lies,” one Beta insisted as his comrades cheered him on. “We want equality and a chance to work our way to the top. Violence and crime are denounced by all of us.”“What about the Betas
I sat on the bed shaking with frustration and anger when Victor rushed into the room. He sat on the bed and pulled me into his arms.“Do they have fiction writers who get paid to make this stuff up!” I cried. “Everyone who knows me knows Betas raised me until I was seventeen.”“That’s how we fight this lie,” Victor said. “We use the hundreds of people who know the truth.”“There is also documentation of my Beta life,” I added. “My school report cards until my senior year say I’m a Beta. So do my identification cards.”Victor poured a cup of coffee and handed me my cup. “Do you still have them?”“Yep,” I replied and gulped my coffee. I needed the caffeine to deal with the latest propaganda.“Do you want me to call Shane to help you interview people?” Victor asked.“I’ll do it,” I said. “But let’s go downstairs for breakfast first. I’m starving.”“No need, Miss,” Benson said from the doorway. He was carrying a tray loaded with eggs, sausage, fruit, and croissants.Benson placed the tray
“Good luck with the Smiths,” Amy said. “Remember, they have no control over you anymore.”I tried to smile. I dreaded seeing them again, but I suddenly had something else to worry about.On my way out of the apartment, I spotted a calendar on the wall next to the door and groaned.Today was the 17th. I had utterly forgotten Victor’s birthday. He turned twenty-six today.I should have brought him breakfast in bed this morning.“Ugh! I didn’t even say happy birthday,” I grumbled and smacked myself in the forehead.“Happy birthday to who?” Amy asked. “What’s the matter, Daisy.”“Today is Victor’s birthday, and I forgot all about it until just now,” I explained.“You can bring him to the restaurant tonight,” Mr. Gray suggested. “I’ll create a special menu for the two of you, including a birthday cake.”“That sounds wonderful!” I hugged Mr. Gray.“I’ll arrange everything,” Elliot Gray promised. “We’ll see you and Victor at seven.”“Thank you so much,” I said and went out the door.Before g
Victor pulled me by my hand through the swinging door and into the restaurant kitchen a split second before a chair splintered against the door frame.“We’ve got to get out of here,” I said, listening to more things crash against the door behind us. “Come on.” I pointed at the metal door marked exit.We crossed the kitchen, ignoring the surprised faces of the kitchen staff, and hurried out the back door. We clung to each other and cautiously walked around the block to Victor’s car.“John and the faction have done an excellent job at destroying our reputations,” I said once we were safely inside the Lamborghini.“The Alpha population’s anger at us is worse than I thought,” Victor admitted and pulled away from the curb. “It’s disappointing that they believe every negative thing they are told.”“I’m more than disappointed,” I said. “I’m angry. They want to believe what the faction tells them about us to justify their opposition to the new laws.”I clenched my teeth in frustration. “And t