Chapter 96

Victor noticed William’s eyes on me from across the table. “What were you two talking about?” he inquired.

“We were just catching up,” William replied. “It was easier to speak privately than to yell across the table.”

It was apparent that Victor wasn’t convinced, but he nodded slowly.

“Everything is fine,” I assured him.

Victor leaned closer and whispered into my ear, “Then we are still engaged?”

“If we’re not, I am at the wrong party,” I teased. “Of course, we’re still engaged.”

Victor’s fake smile turned genuine. “Glad to hear it.” He turned his attention to William. “Are you sticking around now?”

“I’m not going anywhere,” William declared to his mother’s delight.

I was glad to hear it too.

“Daisy changed quite a bit while I was gone,” William said. “She looks even more beautiful, and she is much more confident.”

“I’ve been learning about my mother’s charity foundation,” I told him. “I’m going to start running it soon.”

“You’re doing a good job now,” Victor said. “I told your father while you were gone that I think you can handle the foundation by yourself.”

“I’m proud of you, honey,” Alex said. “I always knew you could do it.”

“Running a charity.” William whistled. “I’m impressed, but I always knew you would find a way to help the Betas and Omegas. You were born to change things.”

“I will do my best,” I promised.

“There are so many unfair laws that it’s going to be difficult for you to change things much by yourself,” William said. “But relieving their suffering is a worthwhile temporary fix.”

“William, we talked about discussing these things in public,” Mr. James said. “Those laws, you bad mouth, and my money just provided you with a wonderful vacation.”

William blushed as Mrs. James took his arm. “Please, dear, let’s not ruin your homecoming.”

“So much for being allowed his own opinions,” I mumbled.

Victor leaned close again. “Don’t interfere between William and his father. William needs to stand up to him on his own.”

Victor was right, but it was hard to remain silent when the Jameses didn’t show William any respect for his opinions.

But William tried to shake it off. “Daisy, are you coming to the football game on Friday to watch me play?”

“She would love to go as long as she is back in time to get ready for the Walcott’s ball,” Victor replied. “Are you attending?”

William shrugged. “Mother, are we invited?”

Mrs. James shook her head. “I’ll check my calendar when we get home, but I don’t believe so.”

“That’s too bad,” Victor said. “I would enjoy having a good friend of Daisy’s to be there and dance with her if I am distracted by business.”

“William is a good friend,” I blurted.

“That’s right,” William agreed. “I consider Daisy to be one of my best friends.”

I remembered we were talking in front of everyone right now, and the things we said could be interpreted in different ways.

So I changed the subject.

“Since the game is directly after school, I’m sure I can attend and be home in time to get ready for the ball.”

William flashed me a grateful smile. “I’ll look for you in the stands.”

“Daisy, are you still coming to lunch tomorrow?” Lana asked.

I had almost forgotten that she and Harry were sitting on Victor’s other side. I cringed a little when I wondered what they were thinking about the conversation between Victor, William, and me.

“Yes, I’ll be there,” I promised Lana.

She said nothing else, and I couldn’t read her expression. She had a better poker face than Victor. I would find out tomorrow if she was displeased with me.

I liked and admired Lana and Harry very much. I would hate for them to discover Victor and I were deceiving them, along with everyone else.

“So tell me about the things you cooked for yourself while staying at the lake?” I asked William.

William grimaced. “I had steaks I bought on the way there, but I burned them over the campfire on my first night, so I mostly ate the fish that I caught in the lake.”

“Eeew!” Victor chuckled. “Didn’t you have a can of soup or something?”

“I did, but I burned that too,” William admitted. “Those darn fish were the only thing I could cook well enough to eat over an open fire.”

“What about marshmallows?” I teased. “Marshmallows are great over an open fire.”

“How do you know? William asked. “Have you ever been camping?”

“No, but Amy and I cooked a few that we put on forks and held over the open flame of the gas grill at Mr. Gray’s restaurant.”

I blushed when I noticed many of the guests were listening to me. “They were delicious.”

Sometimes things just came out of my mouth at the wrong times. I would never be a proper, stuffy Alpha.

But Victor and William both chuckled while Alex smiled at me. So I guess there was no harm done.

After everyone had coffee, tea, or cognac, the dinner guests began to leave.

I was pleasantly surprised when Victor walked around the table to William and shook his hand.

“It is good to have you back, he said. “And I meant what I said. I would appreciate you being at the ball. I’ll ensure the Walcotts know you’re back in town.”

Then Victor smiled at Mrs. James. “Watch your mail for your invitation if you haven’t received one yet.”

Mrs. James put a hand on Victor‘s shoulder and smiled. “Thank you, Victor, and the best of luck to you and your fiancé.”

“I second that,” Mr. James said while offering his hand to Victor.

“And thank you all for coming this evening,” Victor added.

Mrs. James waved to me. “Good night, Daisy. Thank you for having us.”

Mrs. James’s forgiveness felt better than I expected. I didn’t like having her upset with me after she had been so kind to me at her pool party.

In the past, other people have mistreated me for fun or because they thought I was of a lower class and them.

Mrs. James treated me poorly because she loved her son. I couldn’t blame her for that.

I helped Alex and Victor see people off. Then I collapsed into a chair in the hall and slipped off my sandals.

“That was a very successful event,” Alex said. “And William’s return to the city lent it a bit of excitement. What did he want to speak to you about in private?”

“He wanted to apologize for being upset and know if we could still be friends and hang out sometimes,” I replied. “He has worked out his issues with his wolf.”

“Wonderful,” Alex said. “It’s always better to be friends than enemies.”

“He is a good person,” I said. “He didn’t do anything wrong.”

“And I have no objection to Daisy maintaining her friendship with him,” Victor added. “William and I are friends too, and I trust him.”

“Then all is well.” Alex started toward his new bedroom on the first floor. “It’s been a long evening, and I’m tired. Good night.”

“Good night,” Victor and I called after him.

I watched my father walk up the east wing hallway. He moved more slowly than when I first moved into the mansion.

Maybe he needed more rest than he was getting. He never complained about any symptoms or pain, but it wasn’t like Alex to reveal his weaknesses to anyone.

Victor leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “I’m going home, my official fiancé. I’ll pick you up at my parent’s house after your lunch lesson with my mother.”

I yawned. “Okay. See you then.”

As I climbed the stairs to my bedroom, my mind started reviewing the events of the evening.

William was back, we were going to spend time together, and everybody was friends again.

Everything seemed just fine.