“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
It couldn’t be true. She wouldn’t betray me or Victor to the faction.My mind couldn’t make sense of it. We are friends. I trusted her, and she has been there for me.She was among the last people I would have suspected of betraying me. Even now, I wanted to push Jayden away from her and tell him he was wrong.But why was she secretly recording the meeting with our Allies?Stepping closer to her, I held out my hand.It was hard to believe Jennifer would do anything to deliberately hurt me. She cared about me. She helped me adjust to my new life as an Alpha, even helping me improve my appearance.Sure, she had been acting distant lately due to personal problems. But she is a kind and caring person.Why would she suddenly turn on me? It couldn’t be true. Yet, it was.“Please give me the camera, Jennifer,” I said. “It's hard for me to believe you are a spy for our enemies, but I want to see what you were recording, and I need to know why you were recording it.”Jennifer shook her head. “
Victor’s POVJennifer’s complete betrayal took a heavy toll on my lovely Luna. Daisy cried for hours after the ex-maid’s Max News interview.She pushed me away when I tried to hold her in my arms. But I finally insisted on carrying her upstairs.I placed her on the bed and sat next to her. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. Jennifer’s betrayal must hurt you badly.”“It’s not just that,” Daisy said as she wiped her eyes. “She was right. What she said about me was the truth. You should break our engagement and find another mate.”“Daisy, no!” I shouted.“The faction may leave you alone if you dump me.” She turned her back to me. “I’m no good for your career, and I won’t hold you back.”“That’s nonsense,” I insisted. “They would be saying the same things about any mate of mine.”When she remained silent, I gently turned her beautiful tear-stained face toward me and looked into her glistening emerald eyes.“You are letting John win,” I told her. “Don’t start believing his propaganda. We are stronger
Victor looked great when he walked up to the podium in a dark gray suit and a blue tie that matched his eyes. He was giving a televised speech outside the Association about the new slander laws and taking questions afterward.He thought I would be safer at home, so I was watching him on the living room TV at the mansion. I’d call him after I was sure it was over.There weren’t any new stories about me so far today. Shane’s article and interview seemed to have helped. But it could be that Alphas were too busy rebelling against Victor’s new laws meant to stop the lies and misinformation.Predictably, the news sources that were the most guilty of this behavior were the ones complaining about it the most.The reliable news sources were telling people that it was for everyone’s good that the truth be told, and opinions must be labeled as opinions and not facts.I sat up and paid more attention when Victor also shamed Alphas for closing essential businesses.“Punishing people who need groce