“What time is it?””
“I am available at 2 PM.”
Daisy acquiesced, informed him of her intention to attend, and proceeded indoors to recline on her bed, smiling to herself. What pleasant individuals. Having already compensated for the photographs, she now has the opportunity to sell additional ones. She transferred all images from her camera to her laptop, reviewed them, selected those that Hadley had favoured, and included several additional ones that she personally appreciated.
She smiled at the photographs of children blowing bubbles and enjoying themselves, then took a seat and captured some of the bubbles ascending before the towering trees. Hadley had not reviewed those items and incorporated them into the file.
Daisy found them enchanting, nearly ethereal, and undoubtedly whimsical; she contemplated framing one or two for her residence and possibly painting one, two, or three as well. She genuinely appreciated them and contemplated creating an entire series solely for her own enjoyment.
Arrived at Micah Garcia’s office ten minutes early to avoid tardiness and create a favourable impression. He acknowledged her with a nod upon her entrance into his office, devoid of a smile, which she observed; she surmised he was entirely focused on business and likely preoccupied.
Daisy maintained a professional demeanour as well. He examined the photographs, chose several, informed her of a location within the building where she could have them printed, and expressed his desire to have one framed today. She was aware of a location, but she would need to remain and wait to retrieve it for him. It was Hadley’s birthday, and they were going out for dinner.
Enquired whether she could deliver it directly to the restaurant once it was framed. Daisy nodded, then glanced at her attire—grey slacks and a blue blouse—and contemplated its appropriateness for the type of restaurant he would likely choose for his wife’s birthday celebration.
“I will prepare a dress for you, and I am confident Hadley would appreciate your company for a drink prior to our dinner.”
“I appreciate it.”
She received the details of the framing establishment and was informed that he would send a car for her, expressing his surprise by stating, “just taking care of you, in a new country and all.”
Daisy informed him that it was unnecessary, yet he persisted, recognising that he was the one hastening the task. She refrained from disputation. Allow him to proceed.
The driver will collect the dress while you await the framing. I have already made a prior call, and they are anticipating your arrival.
“Thank you,” she smiled at him.
The man appeared to desire his own way and was willing to undertake any action to astonish his wife. It was exceedingly sweet. She departed on her mission, smiling to herself; it was gratifying to work, as it appeared that fortune favoured her.
The dress supplied to her was an A-Line, V-neck, asymmetrical chiffon cocktail dress featuring a ruffle in a hue described on the tag as vintage mauve. It was quite beautiful. She donned petite black heels, which complemented the dress adequately. I observed her appearance; her hair was initially in a ponytail, which she subsequently released and loosely braided down the right side of her body, gently tugging at the braid to enlarge the sections, tidying it around her face, before retrieving a framed photo and proceeding into the restaurant.
She was directed to the table where Micah and Hadley were seated, took a seat, smiled at them, and handed the framed print to a visibly apologetic Micah.
“What is the issue?”“She enquired of him.”
“I apologise, Daisy… I had no alternative.”
She scowled at him, perplexed by his meaning and the situation at hand. I turned to observe Hadley, who appeared somewhat anxious, to be frank.
Subsequently, she sensed a hand traverse down her neck to her marked spot, followed by lips brushing against her ear, accompanied by the utterance, “Daisy.” Caelan’s voice resonated in her ear, and his fragrance enveloped her.
Caelan’s Perspective
His directive prohibiting her from entering Canada was confirmed to be in effect. The challenge was determining her whereabouts after disembarking from the plane. Her presence here would have inflicted sufficient anguish to compel her to escape and depart.
The question now was, where did she go?
She could depart from Ottawa and travel to any destination globally. Mason was disenchanted by Caelan’s imposition of an Alpha Order on her; he sensed its impact immediately and became restless and agitated, explicitly demanding to understand Caelan’s actions. Caelan had conveyed the truth to him.
Mason stood and gazed at him. “If she is unable to escape, it may prove fatal for her,” he shouted at Caelan.
He had informed Mason that it would not be fatal for her; rather, it would intensify her desire to depart. Indeed, there would be suffering, but she was the one who had openly defied her Alpha’s command from the outset.
Caelan could clearly perceive that his Beta, his closest companion, was exceedingly angry with him. He wandered around the plane for over an hour and a half, nearly two hours, before finally settling into a chair, glaring at Caelan and declaring, “You’re an a*s hat, you are aware of that, correct?”
“I acted, as she is not secure alone in this environment, Joe.”
“That is utter nonsense,” he retorted. “You merely desire her within your sight.”
“That is true,” Caelan conceded, “but which pack members reside abroad?” It is utterly absurd, and you are aware of it. Furthermore, his father was foolish to permit her to reside outside of pack territory for such an extended period.
