Chapter 32

I got up from my bed and went to my bathroom to freshen up. I had my speech therapy in a few minutes and didn’t want to miss it. Victor was probably done helping me, but I could still keep improving myself.

I believed in every word I said to Victor, but maybe I should have said the things I did more gently.

Maybe.

“I’m sorry, Miss Wilson. I didn’t know you were in here,” Jennifer said from behind me. “I’ve brought clean towels.” She studied my face for a moment. “Is everything okay?”

I grimaced. “I said some things that made Victor very angry with me.”

“I’m sure he won’t stay mad.” She said as she put the towels away in a cupboard. “Perhaps you should talk to your father. He could smooth things over with Mr. Klein.”

“That’s a good idea, “ I agreed. “Thanks, Jennifer.”

The things Victor said about my being disloyal to my family and pack struck a nerve. Would he tell Alex about our fight?

I didn't know how my father would feel about what I said, but it would be better if he heard it from me.

After I met Dr. Creed in the study and completed my lesson, I searched for my father. I found him in his den. He was concentrating on some folders on his desk and looked every inch the leader of the United Association of Alphas. However, I could tell he was already quite exhausted from his pale face and frown.

I knocked on the open door. He looked up from the papers on his desk and gave me a smile that warmed my heart.

“Hello, sweetheart,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

“I need to talk to you,” I said.

“Come in and sit down.” He indicated the plush armchairs in front of his desk. “What’s the matter, darling?”

I sat down and sighed. “I made Victor very angry with me. He left in the middle of my dance class, and I’m not sure if he’s going to come back.“

“I’m sure he’ll be back,“ Alex said. “What did you do to make him angry?”

I brace myself, unsure if what I had said to Victor would make my father angry, too.

“I think he was angry because I said some things … I expressed my opinions about political matters.”

“I didn’t know you had political opinions,” Alex said with a grin. “But I assume they are in opposition to Victor’s opinions.”

I nodded, and tears sprang to my eyes. Why was I crying?

Alex came around the desk and sat on the chair next to me. He took my hand. “Things can’t be that bad.”

“Alex, I grew up as a Beta,” I said. “My life was spent in a household, and a community where everyone stuck to a budget, and everyone worked to keep food on the table. My best friend and her father are hard-working Betas.”

“Yes, Amy Gray and her father, the chef. I meant to meet them before now,” Alex said. “I have heard only good things about them.”

“They treated me great when nobody else did,” I said. “They were always there for me and helped me whenever possible.”

“I’m grateful to them,” Alex said and squeezed my hand. “Is there something you want to do for them? You can invite them to dinner sometime.”

“I’ll ask them,” I said. “But that’s not what I meant. And I want to help more people than just Amy and Mr. Gray. There are things I could do to help all Betas and Omegas.”

Alex rubbed his chin. “I understand how you feel, but why would that anger Victor?”

I looked down and shook my head. “I don’t want to make you angry with me too. Victor said I was disrespectful and disloyal to my family and pack.”

“Oh?” Alex watched me with one eyebrow raised. “What did you say that would make him think you are disloyal to us?”

“If it was disloyal, I'm sorry. I wouldn’t hurt you for anything,” I said. “But I can’t help feeling the way I do.”

The look in my father's eyes was still gentle and loving. “Tell me everything that was said.”

I told Alex how I felt about the new banking rules and everything else I had told Victor. Alex listened patiently, nodding occasionally.

“Have you heard about Victor’s plan for reconstruction in the neighborhood of Mr. Gray’s restaurant?” I asked.

“He mentioned plans to overhaul a neighborhood south of Maple Street,” Alex replied. “But I didn’t know the Gray’s restaurant was involved.”

“Amy’s dad is going to lose a lot of business during the renovations,” I told him. “And then Victor is going to charge him twice the rent. Mr. Gray can’t afford to pay that much.”

“The money to pay for the renovations must come from somewhere, sweetheart,” Alex said. “Contractors and workmen must be paid, and the materials aren’t free.”

“I understand that. But why is Victor only concerned about making a profit,“ I said. “Plus, when Victor told everyone in the neighborhood about his plans, he claimed he was paying for the renovations out of his own pocket. That was a lie.”

“I wouldn’t say it was a lie,” Alex said. His money will fund the project, and the higher rents are needed to reimburse him.”

“Why can't Alphas help people without worrying about making money?” I asked.

“Daisy, it takes money to make positive changes for the people,” Alex explained. “And it takes money to make money. Do you understand?”

“Victor makes money for himself,” I insisted. “He likes to live like a king.”

Alex gave me a wry smile. “I can't say I blame him. I enjoyed living like a king when I had your mother to treat like a queen.” He squeezed my hand. “Now I have you, my Alpha Princess. Do you hate living in this mansion with anything you desire?”

“I don’t hate it,” I said, feeling like a hypocrite. “But I want to give more back to the community, the entire werewolf community.”

“How?” Alex asked. “What do you have in mind?”

“I want to become a lawyer,“ I replied. “I could represent the Beta and Omega communities. I want to be an advocate for their welfare.”

“That sounds like an admirable goal,” Alex said. “Are you planning to attend law school after college?”

“Yes,” I said. “I’ve always dreamed of being a lawyer and living alone and not be dependent on anyone.”

“Because you didn’t have anyone to depend on while growing up?” Alex asked.

I nodded. “I hated asking my adoptive parents for anything. They acted like I was taking their last bite of food if I needed new shoes.”

“What about Victor?” Alex asked. “I thought you two came to an understanding. You can rely on him after I’m gone.”

I had to be careful here. Until I was sure Victor was finished with me, I couldn’t go back on my word to be his fake fiancé.

“I don’t know if he still wants to,” I said. “He was furious when he left the ballroom.”

“I’m positive he’ll get over it,” Alex said. He patted my hand again and stood. “Dinner is in a few minutes. Will you walk with me to the dining room?”

I took his arm. “I’d be delighted.”

As we turned toward the doorway, I gasped. Victor was standing in the doorway. Had he been there the whole time? Where had he been hiding? Was he spying on me?

“Victor,” Alex called out. “We were on our way to dinner. Will you join us?”

Victor shook his head and kept his eyes averted from me. “Not tonight. I have other plans. We’ll talk tomorrow,” he said and left without a glance in my direction.