Chapter 172

Victor’s POV

“I’m too tired to keep working,” Alex told me. “You need to take over as leader of the association soon.”

“I thought you were feeling better,” I said. Daisy would be crushed if Alex was failing again.

“I’m not cured, Victor, just in remission,” Alex sighed. “Please try to understand that I want to take it easy and do as I please for the rest of whatever time I have left.”

There it was. I couldn’t delay it any longer. To refuse was unthinkable. My agreement with Daisy was coming to an end.

“When?” I asked.

“As soon as possible,” Alex replied.

“I need a week to clear my schedule,” I said. I wanted to be there for Daisy while she got her project cleared by the board of directors. It meant a great deal to her. I wanted to help encourage her to make the project a reality.

“Very good,” Alex agreed. “We’ll do it next Tuesday.”

“Alex, please don’t say anything to Daisy just yet,” I requested. “She has an important project she’s trying to get off the ground, and I don’t want anything to distract her. My sudden taking over the association's leadership will make her wonder if your health is deteriorating.”

Alex looked at me with one eyebrow raised. “Of course. There’s no need to tell her right now.”

Tears glistened in Alex’s eyes. “Daisy’s happiness is important to me. She had a rough life after I lost her. I thank you wholeheartedly for helping me find her again.”

Alex’s words moved me, and he was right about Daisy. She deserved to be happy.

But what would make her the happiest?

When I left Alex and went looking for Daisy, I saw what would make her happy.

Music and laughter led me to the music room. Peeking through the open door, Daisy and William were dancing together and having a marvelous time.

William dipped her low. When he pulled Daisy back into his arms, she laughed into his eyes. I felt like an intruder.

It would be embarrassing to have them catch me watching these intimate moments, so I decided to leave the mansion.

“You can’t just walk away from her,” my wolf complained in my mind.

“Adam, stop. Daisy told me the truth from the beginning of our agreement. She wants William. It is time for me to back away and let them be together. If I no longer intervene, nature will take its course.”

“I think you’re being stupid,” Adam continued despite my order. “You don’t want her to be with William. She’s your Fated Mate and your fiancée. Don’t let her go to another wolf.”

“She wants William,” I said. “She deserves to be with the wolf who will make her happy.”

I told Benson something had come up, and I wouldn’t be able to stay for dinner.

“Please make my excuses to Daisy and Alex,” I said

“Very well, Mr. Klein,” Benson said and showed me to the door.

After driving to my apartment, I pulled into the garage beneath the building. I still needed dinner, so I walked up the street to my favorite bar/restaurant and ordered a steak dinner to go.

I couldn’t get my mind off Daisy. She was a wonderful girl, and I had gotten used to having her in my life. But she could never be mine.

My phone vibrated in my pocket, pulling me from my thoughts. It was Daisy. She probably wanted to know why I left the mansion.

Before I hit the answer button, I walked through the doors that separated the bar from the restaurant and ordered a drink.

“Make that a double,” I said after answering Daisy’s call. “Hello,” I said into the phone receiver.

“Victor, why didn’t you stay for dinner?” Daisy asked.

“What was that?” I said. “I’m sorry. It’s kind of loud in here.”

“Where are you?” she asked. “It sounds like you’re in a place with many people and music.”

“I’m meeting somebody at a bar,” I lied. “We’re going to have a couple of drinks and maybe go to a club. I’ve been bored lately.”

“Oh …um, okay,” Daisy mumbled. “Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Maybe,” I said. “I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”

She was quiet for a long moment. “Well, have a good time.”

After Daisy hung up, I felt an emptiness in the pit of my stomach. Maybe I did need dinner and a night out.

But that wouldn’t happen tonight. The thought of sitting in a bar was depressing. I no longer felt the need for a wild social life.

It was just as well. I would concentrate on my family’s company and make it an even more enormous success.

I returned to the restaurant and picked up my food order before returning to my apartment.

I ate my steak and drank a scotch while watching the evening news. Yet my mind kept returning to Daisy.

Perhaps Daisy and William needed a little push to get them together.

“I thought you were going to let nature take its course,” Adam said. “Why are you determined to close the door between you and Daisy?”

“Because Daisy deserves to be happy, and I know she wants William,” I replied.

“How do you know she prefers William?”

“Helping Daisy get William for her lover was my end of our deal,” I reminded Adam. “I’ve known all this time that she wants William. I will not stand in her way.”

“She’s a young girl who has never been in love before,” Adam argued. “She may not realize who she really loves.”

“Cease your talk of love,” I demanded. “Love doesn’t exist. I will settle for a practical arrangement like my parents have. They aren’t in love, and they’ve built a great life that works for them.”

“You are willing to settle for a mate you have no feelings for?”

“I’m not going to settle on just one mate,” I said. “Now stop this annoying talk about love and mates, Adam. I know what I need to do.”

I texted William and asked him to call me after he left Alex’s.

He called me thirty minutes later.

“I’m home,” William said. “What’s up?”

“Daisy needs a break,” I replied. “She’s working extremely hard on a proposal for a new project. I have to entertain clients tomorrow evening, and I was hoping you could take her to the diner you two like and maybe a movie.”

“I’d be glad to take Daisy out,” William said.

“Great. Why don’t you stop by her office around five tomorrow? I will help her with the proposal in the afternoon to make sure she has time to go with you.”

“That sounds good,” William responded. “Daisy loves that diner, and the new action movie just came out last weekend.”

“Great,” I said. “I appreciate it, William.”

“See you tomorrow afternoon,” William said, and we disconnected.

“You are being stupid,” Adam told me. “You are throwing her away with both hands.”

“Be silent, Adam,” I said. “That’s enough from you for the night!”

“Stupid,” Adam mumbled and retreated to the back of my mind.

I poured myself another drink and went to the bathroom to draw a bath.

Sunk into several inches of warm water, I sipped my drink and contemplated Adam’s words.

I would be happy to remain in Daisy’s life. I enjoyed her company and friendship. I admire her courage and empathy for others, and I think she is absolutely gorgeous.

“But she wants William,” I reminded myself.

He’s better suited to be her mate. While I am seven years older than Daisy, William is the same age. They also have much more in common with their causes.

But honestly, the biggest reason for not pursuing her is my pride won’t allow me to desire a woman who wants another wolf.

I could have my pick of many other women. Beautiful, wealthy, and sophisticated women want me. Why pursue the one female who thought she was ‘in love’ with someone else?

I would not. I would complete our agreement by ensuring she has William as her lover and bowing out of her life.

We would meet from time to time at parties and balls and greet each other politely.

She can never be mine.

William would take her on a date tomorrow, and soon I would tell her it was time to break our engagement.