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
“Come on,” Anna said as she helped me to my feet. “We’ve got to get into the house while he’s reloading.”I took her hand and let her pull me back inside the mansion.Benson rushed across the foyer to my side as Anna closed and bolted the front entrance.“A shooter tried to kill Miss Wilson,” Anna said. “The perpetrator is still on the estate.”Benson hurried to a control panel near the front door and entered a code. A siren sounded, and I heard window and door locks engage.The mansion was now locked down, and the police had been called.Alex had the estate’s security updated after Amy’s grandmother, Martha Archer, made it onto the estate grounds and almost into the house without being seen.Due to a fence and a new front gate, it would be more challenging to get in or out of the estate when it was locked down. It would also be hard to get inside the locked mansion, but neither was impossible for a determined assailant.“Take Miss Wilson into the study,” Benson ordered Anna. “There a
We ran out of the house and jumped into my truck. Victor was behind the wheel because I was too upset to drive.“Who would do something this terrible?” I said. “The hospital needs electricity for the equipment that keeps people alive.”“We don’t know for sure what happened,” Victor said, trying to keep me calm. “I’ll order a full investigation.”“We’ve got to get the lines fixed and the power back on immediately.” It was frustrating to know people could be dying at that minute, and I couldn’t do anything about it.“Aren't there backup generators to supply power to critical parts of the hospital?” Victor asked.“I’m sure there is,” I replied. “But the hospital still looked dark on the news. I’m so worried.”“We’re almost there, sweetheart,” Victor said as he turned the truck off the highway and down Fourth Avenue.We were silent the rest of the way to the hospital. I squirmed in my seat each time Victor stopped at a red light. The sense of urgency to get to the hospital was maddening.
My hands shook as I slipped the engagement ring Victor gave me off my finger and placed it on the coffee table. My heart was breaking, but I had to stay strong for him.“No!” Victor shouted and took me into his arms. “I don’t care what they say. I am marrying you, my fated mate, and no other.”“But marrying me could destroy your career,” I argued. “I can’t destroy your life.” I forced back tears. “Alphas will quiet down again if we aren’t together.”“No, Daisy,” Victor held me close. “I don’t care what Councilor Getty or any Alpha wants. If I can’t have you, I don’t want the leadership of The Association. I love you, Daisy.”“And I love you,” I said. “But I can’t destroy your life.”“Without you, I won’t have a life,” Victor insisted. “Who in werewolf society has ever been forbidden to marry their fated mate? It's illegal and immoral. I won’t stand for it!”He picked up the ring from the coffee table and took my left hand.“Sweetheart, do you love me enough to marry me?” Victor asked.
I escaped the man’s grasp and tried to turn to face him, but his arm came around my neck, and he pressed a knife against my throat.“You’re coming with us,” his voice growled into my ear. “Don’t try anything, or I’ll kill you right here.”As he pressed the sharp edge of the blade hard against my skin, fear made my heart pound.Amy was right. It wasn’t safe to be near me, and my wedding to Victor would have been a target for these thugs.Now, because my feelings had been hurt and I felt sorry for myself, I may never see Victor again.I could have let the baker make the cake and donated it to Amy’s shelter. But my drama-queen fit of self-pity put my life in danger.Anna! Did they hurt her because she was with me? I hoped not. She’s a wonderful and caring person, and her parents need her.“Where’s my maid?” I asked, refusing to move until they answered my question.“We don’t know anything about your maid,” my captor growled. “Now, walk, or you’re dead.”I stubbornly held my ground and tr