Chapter 151

Instead of going to my room, I hurried to the music room and sat on the piano bench. The soft light from the hallway made the freshly waxed antique wood glow.

I was upset and didn’t want to talk about it with Jennifer. It wasn’t something she would understand. I knew she would be hovering near my room, waiting for me to get home and get ready for bed.

My fingers brushed over the smooth ivory piano keys as my eyes began to mist with tears.

I hated being at odds with Victor. He was always good to me, but he made me so angry tonight.

My instincts told me that the young Alpha I was speaking to was not to be trusted. I was looking for a way to turn him down gently when Victor swooped in and acted like a jealous jerk.

Everyone except the people closest to me have been treating me with respect since I passed the test. But Victor was the worst. He still acted like I was a child who needed to be watched every second.

His eyes were on me the entire time we were at the party. At any other time, he would have been making new contacts and discussing deals at the party.

He talks business all the time at parties and dinners.

Since we first began attending parties together, I’ve never said a word when he left me standing alone while he chatted with other business people.

He knows I’m trying to build the company, and I need to use all the contacts and resources I can find.

I’m not the old shy and gawky Daisy who can’t speak to people anymore. I’m the CEO of a large company, and I need to be treated with respect.

It was frustrating. I didn’t want to fight with Victor. It made me feel terrible. But I wanted him to begin treating me as an equal.

I stood and went to the window and looked outside. Why did things have to get so complicated?

Plus, I think I hurt William’s feelings yesterday. I should have apologized to him at school this morning, but I don’t think I did anything wrong by not ignoring my other guests.

He could have joined us in the dining room. But the more I thought about what happened, the more I wanted to talk to him about it.

I pulled out my phone and texted him to ask if we could talk. He replied instantly and offered to come over.

“I’ll meet you outside the front door,” I texted back.

“Be there in five minutes,” he replied.

I dried my eyes and checked my makeup before returning to the foyer and slipping outside.

I didn’t have long to wait before I saw the headlights coming up the driveway.

William’s Mustang pulled in and parked, and I ran to meet him as he climbed out of the driver’s side.

“Let’s walk around to the pond and talk,” I said. “Thank you for coming so quickly. I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“Why wouldn’t I come?” William took my hand, and we began to walk around the side of the mansion.

“I seem to be making people mad at me lately,” I said. “I hope you weren’t mad at me last night because I couldn’t leave the dining room full of guests.”

“I was a little disappointed,” William admitted. “But I’m over it.”

I looked into his face, and my breath caught at the way he was smiling at me. His blue eyes twinkled, and the moonlight made his blonde hair appear more golden.

He was gorgeous and one of the kindest people I have ever met. And despite his fierce demeanor on a football field, he was gentle and caring too.

I felt Diana awaken in my mind as she reached out to William’s wolf.

We walked along in the moonlight until we reached the pond and crossed the bridge together.

The tiny twinkle lights strung around the poles and railings competed with the stars, and the moon reflected off the pond's water all around us.

“What did you want to talk about, Daisy?” William asked.

“I wanted to apologize in case I hurt your feelings last night,” I replied.“I hope you can understand that I need to make friends with people who can help the company.”

“I do,” he assured me. “But it’s hard to watch you change so quickly. I don’t think you realize how different you are from the girl I first saw in werewolf history.”

“Is that good or bad?” I asked. Victor seems to think it’s bad. Maybe William does too.

William stood silently beside me, looking up at the stars as if he hadn’t heard my question.

When he didn’t answer, I began to doubt myself. Was I wrong? Or was I taking offense where there was none?

I turned to face him. “I have a brand new responsibility, something I never expected to have. And I want to make it a success.”

“To do that, I can’t be the same Daisy who was afraid to talk to anyone and hid behind a bush of curly hair and thick, ugly glasses.”

I was on a roll. “I’m not trying to be a diva or anything, but I worked hard to pass that test, and I think I deserve respect. Everybody’s treating me like I’m somebody now, except you and Victor.”

William put his arm around my shoulders. “You are somebody, Daisy, and you always have been. But I understand what you’re saying, and you’re right.”

“I like the changes in you very much,” William continued. “You are smart, special, and sweet, and you morphed into one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever seen.”

“You deserve my respect and every good thing life can bring you.”

I had tears in my eyes again, but they were happy tears.

“By the way, I would love to go to your football game,” I said. “I wouldn’t miss it. You are a dear friend, and I would feel terrible if I hurt you.”

“What about the picnic at the lake on Sunday?” he asked.

An afternoon at the lake was tempting. I loved just sitting on the dock and watching the water ripple across the surface.

“I’d love to go,” I replied. “The lake is such a magical place. But I must make sure there’s nothing that I’m needed for that day with the company.

“Please understand, William, the company's needs must come first. My father trusts me to run it in his place. I can’t let him down.”

“Please don’t be mad if I can’t go,” I said softly.

William pulled me into his arms. “I could never be mad at you.”

I tilted my head so I could look into his eyes. “Thank you for understanding.”

“You are so beautiful, Daisy,” he whispered.

“I can’t believe I’m here like this with you,” I murmured and ran a hand through his hair and over his hard chest.

He pulled me closer, and my arms wrapped around his neck as his mouth slowly descended toward mine.

He was going to kiss me. It was something I had dreamed of for a long time. There were many times I sat near him in class, wanting to feel his lips on mine.

Shivers rippled down my spine as his warm breath touched my face.

Was it finally going to happen?