Chapter 94

William went straight to my father. “Mr. Wilson, I apologize for showing up at your dinner party uninvited.”

“Nonsense. William, you are always welcome in my home,” Alex told him. “I’m glad to see you have returned to us.”

Mrs. James couldn’t control herself any longer and jumped to her feet. She threw her arms around William’s neck. “William, I’m so happy to see you. Please tell me you are staying.”

He returned his mother’s embrace and wiped away her happy tears. “I’m staying. I’m sorry if you were worried, but I’m back now, Mother.”

“How did you know we were here?” his father asked after he shook his son’s hand.

“The staff at our house told me you were here. So I had to come here to tell you I have returned to the city. From your letters, I knew you were eager for my return.”

“It’s wonderful to have you back, son,” Mr. James said. “We’ll talk more later.”

“It's great to be back, “ William said. He glanced across the table at me and smiled. “Daisy, it’s wonderful to see you. And you also, Victor.”

I couldn’t believe William was here. What a fantastic surprise! I couldn’t tear my eyes away from him as he gave me another brilliant smile. My eyes drank in the sight of him. He looked the same, yet there was something more mature about him.

I was so relieved he was back my entire body felt limp. It was as if I had been holding my breath while he was gone from the city.

Victor recovered from his surprise at seeing William before I did.

“Hello, William,” he said. “It’s good to see you. I hope you had a good vacation.”

“I did what I had to do,” William said. “It was time well spent.”

I stood and hurried around the end of the table to greet William properly.

“I’m glad you’re back.” I hugged William tightly. As I embraced him, I felt Diana awaken in my mind and speak to William’s wolf. The pull between them was strong.

“Hello, Mark,” Diana said. “I’m glad you have returned.”

“I am glad to be back,” Mark replied. “It’s been difficult to be away from you this long, Diana. But I must try to have better control over my emotions, for William’s sake.”

“I understand,” Diana said. “You are so brave.”

I heard Adam growl, and Victor looked uncomfortable. He sat perfectly still, with his eyes on me.

The buzz voices in the room grew once again, drowning out the voices in my mind. Everyone was discussing William’s return to the city, and some had the nerve to wonder how it would affect my engagement to Victor.

“Please have a seat, everyone, and we will see if the cook has more desserts in the kitchen.” Alex nodded to Benson. “Please find a chair for William and place it between me and his mother.”

Benson snapped his fingers, and a waiter hurried over with a chair and placed it where he was instructed.

William sat next to his mother and gave me a grin as more questions were fired at him.

“How was your trip, William?” Alex asked.

“It was exactly what I needed. I feel much more relaxed,” William replied. “I went to the mountains, near Lake Pocono. Most of my time was spent hiking around the lake, fishing, and kayaking.”

“That sounds wonderful,” I said. “I would love to spend some time at the lake. The photos I’ve seen of the area are beautiful.”

“We can go there together sometime,” William stared into my eyes.

“Then I should be there too,” Adam suddenly said to Diana and I.

“Adam!” I could hear Victor’s inner voice trying to suppress his wolf as he argued with Adam privately in his mind.

William and Victor locked eyes for a moment. I couldn’t tell what they were thinking, but I knew their wolves were restless.

“When I arrived, I was told this dinner was to announce your engagement. Congratulations to you both,” William said.

“Thank you,” Victor responded before I could and squeezed my hand.

“What are your plans now that you’re back?” Alex asked. “Are you still playing football? I hear you are the best player the school has ever had.”

“I don’t know if I’m the best, sir, but I enjoy playing, and I do my best for the team,” William replied. “I intend to play football as much as possible, but I’m needed at my father’s office on weekends and over the summer.”

“That sounds like a good plan,” my father told him. “It will assure you have a bright future no matter what happens.”

William didn’t sound very enthusiastic about working in his father‘s office, but I understood his restlessness.

Besides being a terrific football player, William was an outdoors kind of guy. I could see him kayaking on the lake or playing football easier than I could imagine him sitting behind a desk in a stuffy office.

“William, are you playing in Friday night’s game?” One of the Alpha Association men called from the other end of the table.

Everyone seemed to hold their breath while waiting for William’s answer.

“Yes, I am,” he replied. “Coach said he’s happy I’m back, and he’s willing to put me in to play in this week’s game.”

“Glad to hear it,” the man responded. “I’ve got money on the game. I may double the bet since your back.”

William nodded, but his eyes were on me. “I’ll do my best for the team.”

“That’s all anybody can ask,” Alex said. “But I’m sure you’ll do well.”

A waiter placed a serving of each dessert on a plate and slid it in front of William.

“Thank you,” he told the waiter and Alex. “The worst part about staying at the lake was eating my own cooking,” he laughed. “I’m looking forward to eating anything I don’t make myself.”

I couldn’t get enough of watching William. I had almost forgotten how good I felt just being in the same room as him. Werewolf History class would be much more enjoyable with him at my side again.

Best of all, it looked like our friendship would recover after the discovery of the double Mate Bond. I truly wanted to be William’s friend, and I needed him in my life.

Diana was just as glad. She chatted softly with Mark as I watched William talk to his parents. It was nice to see the family reunited.

After a few minutes, William looked up and met my eyes. “Daisy, can I please speak to you somewhere alone?”

Feeling Victor’s body stiffen next to me, I realized that his wolf Adam might be upset about this again.

It might not be proper to go into a room alone with another man when my engagement was just announced. But I couldn’t refuse William.

“Of course,” I replied. I stood and motioned to him with my eyes to follow me.

“William and I will be in the living room for a few minutes,” I told Victor and Alex. “We will be back soon.”

Victor sat silently, watching us leave the room.

I could tell that Adam was unhappy about it, but I was sure Victor understood that I had to hear what William had to say. He was one of my best friends.