Chapter 40

Victor and I followed William and Mr. and Mrs. James outside to see them off. I should have grabbed a sweater because the temperature was dropping. It was much cooler than it had been when I was in the garden with William.

As I stood next to the James’s car, waiting for Mr. James to finish talking to Victor, I crossed my arms over my chest to keep from shivering.

I could see my breath. It blew out of my nose and mouth in plumes, and my glasses began fogging up.

Before long, I could barely see out of them, so I took them off and tried to clear the fog with my shirt tail.

“Have you ever considered wearing contact lenses, Daisy?” William's mother asked me. “I think you would look much prettier.”

I recalled her comments about my wetsuit and where to buy a ball gown and sighed. She may have good intentions, but I was already a bit stressed at the moment.

“I think she looks fine with her glasses, Mother,” William said. It was nice to have William stick up for me.

But Victor overheard the question. “Yes, Daisy and I discussed her getting contacts before the ball. I agree that she would look much better with contact lenses.”

“Did you have any recommendations for an optometrist?” he asked.

“Oh yes.” Mrs. James looked pleased to be asked for her opinion. “We always use Dr. Carlyle. Many of us do. The doctor himself is an Alpha, you know.”

Alpha. I bet Dr. Carlyle charged ten times more than my optometrist.

William was shaking his head on the other side of the car. I guess he felt the same as me.

"I actually have ordered mine from my optometrist. I will consider Dr. Carlyle next time. Thank you for your suggestions today, Mrs. James," I said politely.

"You are very welcome," Mrs. James answered with a smile.

William yawned loudly and said, “Come on, mom and dad. It’s getting late, and I have to get up in the morning.”

“See you later, Daisy,” William said. “Thank you for the tour. I enjoyed it.” He flashed me a quick smile and got into the car.

But Mr. James was still talking Victor’s ears off. It was a stream of business talk and money-making advice.

I could tell Victor was already tired of this conversation, and he began leading him closer to their car. Then he stopped and stood next to me and put an arm around my shoulders.

“You look cold, sweetheart,” Victor said. “You should go inside.” He nodded to Mr. James. “It's been wonderful to speak to you, Morton, but I have to get going myself.”

Mr. and Mrs. James took the hint and climbed into their car. Soon it rolled down the driveway toward the road, and Victor and I entered the house.

The warmth felt good, and I suddenly craved a hot bath.

“Thank you, Victor,” I said. “I enjoyed spending time with William, and I’m pleased with how things went. Your idea to invite the Jameses to dinner was a good one.”

I gave him a smile. “I’m positive Alex likes William, and he won’t have any issues with us being friends.” I yawned. “But I’ve had enough of entertaining for now.”

“Morton James could be quite chatty after a few drinks, but he is a good businessman,” Victor said. “I overheard your father planning to do more business with him.”

“I’m glad they get along. But I don’t think Mr. James is fair to William.” I began walking toward the staircase.

Victor followed me. “Sometimes we have to do what our parents want us to do.”

“You must realize William may not be chosen to play on a professional football team,” Victor said. “In that case, he will be glad to have his family’s business to fall back on.”

Once again, Victor’s expression and tone of voice were different from usual.

His tone was softer, but his expression was stiff, and his eyes seemed to look at me constantly.

“You weren’t yourself tonight,” I told Victor. “What’s on your mind?”

“You have to realize, Daisy, how difficult it would be for me to be replaced as your father’s successor. I’ve been educated and trained for the position all my life.”

“That is not going to happen. Nobody is going to replace you,” I assured him. “William doesn’t want anything to do with business—not his father’s and not my father’s.”

“That’s good to hear,” Victor said. His eyes narrowed. “But I want you to know that you made a deal with me that you can’t go back on now.”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I mean, you can’t go back on your word about our fake engagement,” Victor said. “Morton James was right. If other Alpha males think you are available, you would have dozens of suitors.”

“I wish you would stop saying things like this. I don’t have any plans of breaking our arrangement or being with anyone else,” I told him. “And William and I have only just become friends. Anything more is a long time away, if at all.”

“And you know William wants nothing to do with taking over for my father,” I reminded him. "He isn’t interested in running the werewolf empire. William wants to play football. He’s an excellent player.”

I was getting a little angry. “William and I are going to be who we are, not who anybody thinks we should be.”

“You should be relieved that William likes me instead of worried about it,” I insisted.

“You’re right,” Victor agreed, but his expression was still sour. “I do want you to be happy.”

I believe that, but I think he would only be happy for me if he were happy too.

“Did you make an appointment to get contacts?“ Victor asked. The quick change of subject made me feel a little off-balance.

“Um … Yes,” I replied. “I should have them soon. But I’m not sure how I’m going to look.”

“You’re going to look good,” Victor said. “You do have beautiful eyes, Daisy. That gorgeous shade of green is rare. You shouldn’t hide those lovely eyes behind glasses.”

He stared into my eyes as he said it. It made me a little self-conscious. His gaze was so intense that I felt like he was looking into my soul.

But I couldn’t believe he said my eyes were beautiful. And he wasn’t joking! Victor didn’t say things like that to me, not in that soft—complementary tone of voice.

I realized I had been staring at him because Victor suddenly looked a bit embarrassed. His complexion reddened slightly, and he kept his eyes averted from mine.

“Did you order your contacts through your usual optometrist?” Victor asked. “Is it the same one who made your glasses?”

“Yes. Dr. Martin,” I replied. “He’s been my optometrist since I was young.”

“I’ll see to it that your contacts are delivered to you as soon as they are ready,” Victor said and hurried out the door and to his car.

Now that was more like Victor, demanding answers, stating facts, and giving orders.

I heard his car zoom down the driveway, and I went to my room. It had been a good evening, but a little bit confusing.

William and I were becoming good friends, and I was happy about it. But I don’t know what was going on with Victor.

He tole me he didn’t want the position of leader of the United Association of Alphas to go to someone else.

He told me sincerely that I have beautiful eyes.

Yet his expressions and strange behavior made me wonder if something else was going on in his mind.