Chapter 97

“Never correct your elders in public,” I told Lana while she was quizzing me on werewolf rules of etiquette. “Who came up with that rule, an elder, right?”

Lana fought back a smile. “Most likely. Nevertheless, you must follow the rule. It’s important in our society to respect your elders.”

“I respect them, but they’re not always right,” I said.

“Agreed, and if it’s regarding something important, you privately present your facts to them, with proof of your argument,” she added.

Lana and I had enjoyed a delicious lunch together on her patio, and now we were going over some rules of etiquette that Victor had gone over with me last week.

“What is the main rule concerning acceptable ways to raise money for your foundation?” she asked.

I like how she called it my foundation. I guess it is mine now even though I can’t run it by myself yet.

“Never directly ask for money; instead, express the need for donations,” I said.

“Correct. You saw that in action while we were networking at the ambassador's party. What else do you remember from Victor?”

“Never gossip about association members,” I said. It wasn’t hard to guess who made that rule.

“Hey, my father is the association's leader, but people constantly gossip about me.”

“But they never say anything bad about your father, do they?” Lana pointed out. “I’m afraid families of association members are fair game.”

“But that rule protects the men in the association from public ridicule.”

Lana offered me more tea. “Exactly. My, you do learn quickly.”

I felt a warm glow from her praise.

“Next, what are the top five shifting laws?” Lana asked as she sipped her tea.

I began. “Never shift with the intent of violence except for combat duels, but you can shift to protect yourself or others. Never shift for a combat duel without at least two witnesses who remain in human form.”

“Very good,” Lana praised. “Keep going.”

“Alphas always lead when we are in a pack, and Alpha elders have superiority over younger Alphas.”

“Betas never shift without permission from an Alpha. And no werewolf should ever shift in public spaces.”

“Correct,” Lana said. “Do you have any questions?”

“Don’t you think the no shifting in public rule is a little unfair?” I asked. “I mean, considering most Betas and Omegas live in the city. When do they ever get to shift?”

“They can go on vacation out of the city,” Lana replied. “And there are special parks where they can shift with permission.”

I didn’t want to argue with her, but I knew that most Betas and even fewer Omegas ever have time to take vacations. They’re too busy working to survive.

“Speaking of vacations,” Lana said with a grin. “You simply must toast a marshmallow for me sometime. You made them sound scrumptious.”

I giggled. “I wondered if you heard that last night. But sure, all I need is an open flame, a stick, and some marshmallows.”

“I’ll arrange it soon,” Lana said. She was serious.

“Why don’t you have a big society picnic or a pool party?” I suggested. “We could toast marshmallows as part of the menu.”

“Those things are more for the younger crowd,” she replied. “But it does sound like fun. Maybe you could help me plan something like that.”

“I’d love to.”

I also loved how close Lana and I have been getting. And I enjoyed Harry’s sense of humor. Victor could be amusing sometimes, but he didn’t allow himself to be silly like his father.

Lana never seemed to judge me. If I were doing something wrong, she would gently correct me. But she never intentionally made me feel bad about myself.

But then, she asked me something that made me squirm.

“Was there ever anything between you and William James?”

“We’re good friends,” I replied. “We have a lot in common. I’m sure you overheard how he feels about social injustices.”

She nodded. “His opinions don’t please his parents. They never were open-minded.”

“They won’t let him be himself at all. It’s sad.”

“It’s none of my business, but I must ask you something.” Lana hesitated a moment. “Do you think it’s wise to be close friends with him, considering the double-mate bond?”

“I understand your concerns since I am engaged to your son,” I said. “But nothing will happen between William and me. William went away until he had his wolf under control.”

“You’re right, Daisy,” Lana conceded. “If Victor has no problem with you being friends with William, I shouldn’t worry.”

I felt my face flush as I thought about my conversation with William in the library. Lana and Harry mean a great deal to me, and I was deceiving them.

I wish I could be honest and tell her the complete truth. But I promised Victor I wouldn’t tell anyone that our engagement was not real.

Lana was his mother, and I’m sure she wanted him to become the association's leader, but I doubted she would approve of our scheme.

I felt horrible just imagining how she would feel about me if she learned the truth.

“I’m sorry if I upset you, Daisy,” Lana apologized.

“No, it’s fine, Lana. I don’t blame you for wondering.”

“Victor told me you have been reading about several artists lately,” she said, skillfully changing the subject.

“Yes, I discovered an ancestor of mine who was involved in the revolution was also an outstanding artist.”

“Arthur Wilson,” she said. “I almost landed one of his paintings at an auction once. He was masterful at detail and color for his era.”

“And I’ve been fascinated by Delacroix since the Phillips ball.”

“He’s been one of my favorites for years,” Lana told me. “We have one of his landscapes in the foyer. Remind me to show it to you before you leave.”

“You read a lot. I like the way you are constantly learning,” Lana added. “You should be able to take on those rich Alpha wives at the next social event.”

“I need to study more about fashion. I had no idea what that old Luna meant by Haute Couture at the Phillips ball,” I confessed.

Lana rolled her eyes. “Massie Jordan has more money than brains. She knows nothing about quality. If you slapped a designer label on a potato sack, she’d pay a hundred grand for it.”

I burst out laughing.

“I can say things like that because I’m an old Luna myself,” Lana giggled. “Now tell me what you have planned to raise money for the foundation.”

“I’ve got Debbie working on a website where people can make donations by credit or debit card,” I replied.

“I can’t believe no one thought of it before,” Lana said.

“And the annual auction is coming up. Oh, and did I tell you about the famous author who has promised the royalties from his latest novel to the foundation.”

Lana clapped her hands in excitement. “That’s fantastic. How did you manage that?”

“We made the request via email to several dozen of the most popular authors, and one of them accepted,” I replied. “We’re advertising the deal on the website and in the newspapers to urge people to buy his book.”

“You are so clever,” Lana said. “Someday, you will be the leader of this community and make things better for many of us. My son is lucky to have you.”

I blushed again at her praise. It was bothering me more and more that I was deceiving her. There was no hope for a future relationship with her if she ever found out the truth.

And I would miss having her in my life.

I did my best to hide my thoughts from Lana as she showed me her Delacroix painting. It was magnificent, yet my enthusiasm was dulled by my fear of her discovering the ruse and losing her friendship.

When Victor pulled in front of his parent’s home, I immediately climbed into the Lamborghini.

Victor took one look at my face and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“I need to talk to you right away,” I replied. “It must be someplace where we will not be overheard.”

“I know just a place,” he said.