Chapter 349

Victor called Denhurst’s police commissioner and ordered John Cameron Jr. held under double guard, and he sent Shane to interview him on video.

“Cameron is going to do everything he can to get his son released from jail before we can prove who he is,” I said. “Can you send your own guards to the prison to ensure he doesn’t disappear?”

“That’s a good idea,” Victor said before making two calls to make my suggestion happen.

Findlay was still monitoring the news channels. “Something is happening that could help or hurt us,” he said as he pointed at the television.

Betas and Omegas had begun to hold peaceful protests and rallies to counter the misinformation and lies about themselves.

I was pleased to see many news channels interviewing them.

“The stories about us taking over the city by force is a pack of lies,” one Beta insisted as his comrades cheered him on. “We want equality and a chance to work our way to the top. Violence and crime are denounced by all of us.”

“What about the Betas who robbed the store,” a smirking Max News reporter asked.

“They were desperate to feed their children when they lost their jobs due to their employer’s greed,” the Beta replied.

“So Betas believe in crime and violence to get what they need,” the reporter said and turned away.

The camera panned the growing crowd of Betas and Omegas filling the streets. His comments made their presence seem menacing even when they began to sing a song about love and acceptance of others.

“We should be there,” I suggested.

“It may look like you are siding with non-Alphas,” Findlay advised. “What would be your goal?”

“There are crowds and all the press in the city there,” I replied. “We could tell them the truth about us, the coup, and the fake Alphas. We bombard people with the truth while they see with their own eyes how peaceful the Betas and Omegas are.”

“Are you up to some public speaking?” Victor asked. “We were up before dawn this morning.”

“And battled a bear,” I giggled.

“I’d rather deal with the bear than John Cameron,” Victor said. “We need to write speeches and get downtown fast.”

Victor and I were at the police station within the hour. John Cameron Jr. was still in a cell, and the police chief agreed to escort us to the Beta/Omega peace rally.

A hush rippled through the crowd when we exited the police commission’s car and approached a makeshift stage.

Police officers held back the crowd, including the press, until we were situated at the microphone.

“Good evening,” Victor said to the crowd. “Daisy Wilson and I are here to correct the misinformation flooding TV, Radio, and social media.”

The crowd remained silent, but the Alpha-centric media began spouting negative comments to their viewers.

We ignored them. We had a mission to accomplish, and there was much at stake.

Victor came right to the point. “There has been a lot being said that is not true. Every person involved in the riots and violence this afternoon were Alphas.”

There was applause mixed with a few boos at this statement. But Victor ignored the boos and continued.

“One of the masked men caught by police on Second Street is an Alpha named John Cameron Jr. I believe his father, John Cameron Sr., is behind the coup to take over our government.”

“This time, they are using you to accomplish this goal. By discrediting me in the court of public opinion, John hopes I will be removed from the office of your leader.”

“Yes, I said this time because this is not the first time he and his faction have attempted to take over The Association in the last few weeks.”

“John Cameron has no honor or morals, and if he is successful in removing me, he will use you, the people, to further his goals of more wealth and power.”

“At the heart of his plan is the new college admissions laws. But John and his followers don’t understand like you, and I do that our society will be stronger if it’s fair …if our rules and laws work for everyone.”

After a roar of applause, Victor stepped back and let me speak. My legs were shaking as I accepted the microphone.

“I want to explain to the Alphas here or watching at home that other people getting the same rights as you will not take any of your rights away.”

“The Betas and Omegas of our great society are not being placed above Alphas. The new laws are designed to give them equal access to a good education.”

“This is important to me. I was lost to my father when I was an infant and raised in a Beta household as a Beta. I know firsthand the prejudices and inequality that non-Alphas endure.”

“I beg anyone who doesn’t understand what it’s like to be a non-Alpha who wants a good education to read my article or talk to a Beta or Omega who was not allowed to enter a good university.”

“The key to curing horrible diseases or the idea for a safer, faster mode of travel or maybe the formula for cleaner fuel source could be locked in the mind of a brilliant young Beta or Omega who can’t get a good education to make these things a reality.”

“We must invest in all of our youth for a better tomorrow for everyone. Don’t let greedy, power-hungry individuals trick you into throwing away a better tomorrow and prosperity for all.”

There was more applause for my speech. We thanked everyone for listening to us and left under police escort.

At the police station, we climbed into my truck and returned to the mansion. We had done all we could for the moment.

Now, it was time to monitor the news and social media to see if our efforts yielded our hoped-for results.

We sat in the living room, eating a light supper with my laptop on the coffee table and the TV on.

The majority of the people believed us, including a surprising percentage of Alphas.

But there was still a large percentage who couldn’t be reasoned with. They clung to the lies and misinformation even when they were presented with facts and logic.

I shut down my laptop and concentrated on the TV. Victor was flipping through the news channels, stopping to check what was being discussed.

“The responses to our press conference are mostly good,” he told me. “Clips of Shane’s interview with John Jr. have backed up our claims that the criminals were pretending to be Betas.”

I smiled. “That proves John Sr. is involved like we told them.”

Victor changed channels again, and we saw more reports of the Beta/Omega peace protests breaking up. The people were going home without a single arrest.

I yawned. “Let’s go to bed. I’m exhausted.”

Victor yawned in response. “Let’s go.”

Lying in my comfortable bed with my mate by my side, I felt peaceful and content. The war with John Cameron and his faction wasn’t over. It wouldn’t be over until he and the other faction leaders were behind bars.

But we won a huge battle today. I kissed Victor and settled into his arms.

Victor woke me at seven the following morning as he tried to sneak from the bed without waking me.

“I was going downstairs to bring you breakfast in bed,” he said with a kiss.

I lay back, closed my eyes, and pretended to snore.

“Now I know you’re asleep. I recognize that snore,” he teased.

I opened an eye and stuck out my tongue. “I don’t snore.”

“How do you know?” Victor chuckled. “You’re asleep when you do it.”

I sat up and looked him in the eyes. “Do I really snore?”

He kissed my cheek and smiled. “Nope, but I’d love you even if you did.”

“Good.” I straightened the covers. “Now, where’s my breakfast? I want lots of coffee and both newspapers. I’ll bet they’re still talking about last night.”

Victor left the room, and I snuck out bed to use the bathroom. After washing up, I climbed back beneath the covers to wait.

A few moments later, Jennifer appeared with a tray holding a carafe of coffee, cups, and cream and sugar. She had the newspapers tucked under her arm.

“Thanks,” I said. “Where’s Victor?”

“He got a phone call,” she replied. “He’ll be up soon with your breakfast.”

I poured my coffee and took my first sip before opening the Denhurst Chronicle.

The headline under the fold made my vision swim for a moment.

I couldn’t believe what I read. “Daisy Wilson is caught in another lie. She was not raised as a Beta.”