Chapter 125
I couldn’t stand not knowing what William and Victor were talking about. I didn’t want to be nosy, but I couldn’t help being curious.
I listened to the latter part of their conversation through the open window of the darkened living room and discovered they were talking about me.
It was no surprise that Victor sensed William’s desire to explore a relationship with me. However, I thought William’s idea that Victor was in love with me was absurd.
Besides Amy, these two men were my best friends. I was glad they would stay friends with each other.
It was also a relief that they understood I would choose my mate. But there were so many changes in my life that I wasn’t ready to take a mate yet.
It was just as well. No matter my feelings, my deal with Victor must be fulfilled. I was his fiancée until he became the leader of the Alpha Alliance.
The scent of the other werewolves drifted to my nostrils a second after Victor mentioned it. It had to be the wolves from the field across the lake.
When the three wolves appeared near Victor’s truck, Jennifer retreated across the room.
“We should lock ourselves in a bedroom or hide, Miss,” she whispered. “I don’t like the looks of this.”
I couldn’t do that. It would feel like I was abandoning William and Victor.
“It will be alright, Jennifer,” I whispered. “But you may go upstairs if you wish.”
“I’ll stay with you,” she insisted, but she stayed near the stairs to the second floor.
I watched one of the strangers shift into his human form. He was a middle-aged male with long gray hair and a beard. The other wolves stayed close to his sides.
It was impressive how William and Victor remained calm yet united against the strangers while waiting for the leader to speak.
When he did not, William broke the silence when he recognized him.
“Good evening,” William said. “We meet again, Roy. Who are your friends?”
“Hello, William.” Roy shifted his weight and moved closer. “ These are my sons, Lucas and Liam. You met them the last time you were here. But make no mistake; this is no social call.”
“Then I won’t bother to offer you a cup of coffee,” Victor said.
The strangers were trying to intimidate them. It was apparent Victor didn’t like it, and I knew he wouldn’t tolerate it.
Unsure if more of them lurked around the cabin, I crept to the kitchen to lock the back door.
I returned to the open window in time to hear the rest of the confrontation.
“What’s on your mind, Roy?” William asked.
“My family has lived by this lake for over a hundred years. We welcomed you and your family to the area,” Roy said. “But now you’re breaking the rules.”
“What are you talking about, Roy?” William asked. “What rules? Nobody ever gave us any rules when my parents bought this place.”
“I’m talking about the fact that the lake has always been for Alphas only,” he replied. “You city folks don’t mind mingling with the lower classes, but we don’t welcome Betas here except the ones who work for us.”
It struck me they were talking about Jennifer. A Beta can’t visit the lake? What a revolting attitude. These rural Alphas must be more bigoted than city Alphas.
“The Beta female with us is my fiancée’s maid,” Victor explained.
“We have Beta servants too, but they don’t run with us,” Roy snapped. His eyes glowed angrily.
“My fiancée permitted her maid to run with us because Daisy is an important single woman, and her maid is her chaperone.”
“Why is your fiancée so important?” Roy sneered.
“Daisy is the daughter of Alex Wilson,” William replied.
Roy was silent for a moment.
“Do you mean Alex Wilson, the leader of The United Association of Alphas?” Roy asked.
“The very same,” Victor told him.
“And you say you are her fiancé?” Roy’s voice filled with disbelief.
“Yes, I am Victor Klein.” His body was tense. I knew he was angry, but he wouldn’t show any emotion to someone he considered the enemy.
Roy seemed impressed, but the two wolves at his sides growled low. “I’ve heard of you, Victor,” Roy said. “But we still can’t have your Betas running around the lake.”
“My Betas are not running around the lake,” Victor said. “But my fiancée’s chaperone will accompany her wherever she goes. It is her job, and I want her to be with Daisy.”
Roy looked at the two wolves and leaned close to speak with them. “If he’s who he says he is, he’s going to be the next leader of the Alpha Alliance. That’s a bad enemy to have. Yes, I’ll tell him.”
Roy turned back to Victor. “We want to meet Miss Wilson. Her parents were here before she was born. I remember them well and would recognize their daughter.”
“No!” William declared. “What trick are you trying to pull, Roy? It is our responsibility to keep Daisy safe.”
“Maybe you’re the ones who are playing tricks and lying about who you are and who she is,” Roy accused as the two wolves snarled at William and Victor.
My heart pounded when several more wolves appeared out of the darkness and moved toward the porch.
Toward William and Victor!
They could get hurt or killed because of me. I couldn’t allow it.
My hands curled into fists. I was here to relax, and instead, these wolves were threatening us because Jennifer went for a run around their precious lake with me.
It was maddening!
Roy motioned for the wolves to stay back. “I’m going to ask you one more time for proof that the girl is Alex and Joanna Wilson’s daughter.”
Victor and William pulled off their shirts, preparing to shift for battle.
No. I couldn’t have them risk their lives for me. How dare these wolves demand proof of my identity? Fine! I would show them who I am.
“No, Miss. Don’t go out there,” Jennifer shouted.
But I had already made up my mind as anger flooded my body and soul. I switched on the front porch lights and stepped outside in the same instant that William and Victor shifted into their wolves.
They saw me and rushed to my side, pushing me with their bodies toward the front door.
“No,” I said and walked to the edge of the porch. “I am Daisy Alberta Wilson. Why do you doubt my fiancé’s words?”
All the strangers reverted to their human form and knelt on the ground.
“Forgive us, Miss Wilson,” Roy said. “We were wrong to doubt, but it is such a pleasure to meet you. You look a great deal like your beautiful mother.”
“Thank you, Roy,” I said. “But I am here for a rest during a trying time in my life, and you and your friends are making it difficult for me to relax.”
“Please accept our apologies,” Roy said. “You and your maid are welcome at Lake Pocono for as long as you wish.”
“Thank you,” I said with a nod meant for all of them, even the wolves still hidden in the darkness. “This is a magical place. I understand why you want to defend it.”
William and Victor had shifted back and dressed while I spoke to our visitors. They now stood at my side.
“Perhaps you would let us make up for our rudeness by attending our barbecue tomorrow evening,” Roy said.
“It’s our annual celebration of the Lake Pocono settlement.”
“Where is this barbecue?” Victor asked.
“It is being held at my cabin near the stream that feeds the lake on the north side,” Roy replied. “You are all invited, including your maid, Miss Wilson. I will make sure no one causes any trouble.”
“I’m sure I will see you there,” I said. “Now, I am tired and need to rest.”
“Good night,” a chorus of voices called as the strangers shifted, and their wolves ran off into the night.
Victor and William followed me inside the cabin.
“Daisy, we cannot go to that barbecue,” Victor said. “I don’t trust them.”
“Maybe it would be best if we returned to the city tomorrow,” William agreed.
“You’re overreacting,” I said. “I want to stay and attend the barbecue. If they were going to harm me, they would’ve done it tonight. We were greatly outnumbered.”
“We’ll discuss it in the morning,” Victor said as he locked the front door and window.
I started to follow William and Jennifer upstairs. But Victor sat in a chair and folded his arms across his chest, watching the doors and windows.
“Victor ….” I said. He planned on standing guard all night. The other Alphas seemed satisfied I was Alex’s daughter. Why was he so worried?
“Go to bed, Daisy, and lock your door,” he said. “We’ll talk in the morning.”
