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
I imagined myself standing next to Victor on the beach at sunset, saying my vows in front of a priestess, and a smile bloomed on my face.“That’s such a romantic idea,” I said. “Let’s do it.”Getting married on the beach wasn’t my dream wedding, but I would be marrying my fated mate at one of our favorite places.“We’ll start making plans tomorrow,” Victor said. “I’ll call the local courthouse to find out how we get a marriage license.”“I can wear one of my sundresses,” I mumbled. “There’s no time to have something made.”“You don’t want a nice gown getting full of sand anyhow,” Victor said. “That white dress with the tiny flowers you had on is pretty.”“Yeah, it is,” I agreed. But something didn’t feel right. “Let’s get some sleep and plan everything tomorrow after we take a walk on the jetty.”Snuggling in Victor’s arms, I imagined myself as Mrs. Victor Klein until sleep carried me away.I woke up first and headed to the kitchen to get the coffee started. I checked the refrigerator
For a long moment, I didn’t know what to say. Alex’s firm, almost angry tone was new to me. What had he heard about Victor and me to make him respond to me like this?“We’ll be there in a few hours,” I assured Alex. “But I don’t think it’s fair to blame us for everything that happened.”“We will talk about it when I see you,” Alex insisted, but his tone was milder. “Would you like me to send guards to bring you home?”“I think we can get there without help,” I replied.“Then I’ll see you and Victor in a few hours,” Alex said. “Sweetheart, I understand you needed to get away, but the problems here aren’t going away on their own.”“I was afraid after being attacked outside the bakery.” My voice shook with emotion. “We weren’t thinking clearly.”“I understand, honey,” Alex said. His voice had completely thawed. “Why don’t I come to you so we can talk?”“That would be nice,” I said, barely holding back tears.“Let me talk to Victor for a moment, and I’ll be there soon,” Alex assured me. “
Alex looked at Victor. “Do you agree to my being co-leader?”Victor nodded. I sensed his pride was severely bruised, but he was trying not to show it. I sent him a loving smile and comforting thoughts.“Very well, Councilors,” Alex told Councilors Getty and Chen. “I accept the role of co-leader of The United Association of Alphas effective immediately.”“Good,” Councilor Chen said. “Please get to work on stabilizing the present situation.”“If you can,” a smirking Councilor Getty said. I wished I could wipe that smirk from his face. He was another greedy, power-hungry Alpha that Amy and I always despised.“Keep us informed of your progress or setbacks, and let us know if we can be helpful,” Councilor Chen added. “Good luck.”“You’ll need it,” Councilor Getty laughed boisterously before ending the video call.Victor stood and ran a hand through his hair. He was suppressing his frustration and anger well. “I’m sorry to have ruined your retirement, Alex. I know you were looking forward t
The first floor looked normal, but an eerie stillness made goosebumps rise on my arms. The only sound was the staccato beeping of smoke alarms coming from all directions.A wide sweeping staircase rose in front of me. It felt ominous, but the kids were up there, and they were in danger. I hurried up to the second floor, taking two steps at a time.At the top of the stairs, the smoke was thick enough to see it floating lazily in the air. I coughed several times and pulled the neckline of my shirt up over my mouth and nose. It helped me breathe a little better.I forced myself to stay calm and reasoned that the kids must be in a room to my left and toward the front of the house.Hurrying down the hallway, I stopped at each door that faced the street and threw the doors open.“Hello, Piper,” I called. “I’m here to help you and Lane get out of the house. Where are you, honey?”“In here,” the girl's voice said from further down the hall. “Hurry, please. I’m scared, and it’s hard to breathe
My legs shook as I forced myself to stand my ground. Had Gisele turned on me too?But she was smiling when she walked to my side. “How brave you are, Miss Wilson. Those children were lucky you were nearby.”“Good job, Daisy,” another woman said. Similar words were echoed throughout the crowd.They were being nice to me!It had been a long time since I’d felt acceptance from other Alphas. I must admit it felt much better than being slandered and shunned.“The blue jeans you like are on sale today,” Gisele said. She clapped her hands together and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to see you today, Miss Wilson. If you need help finding anything, please let me know.”I was stunned yet grateful to have Alphas begin to thaw toward me.“And you were worried they’d be mean to you,” Amy whispered.I grinned at her. “All I had to do was run into a burning building. I wonder if this means I can return to school.”“Hi, Daisy,” Victoria Beecham said as we looked through the jeans. Amy and I went to school