Chapter 21
Daisy
When I walked back to Cruz, he and the band quickly quieted. It made me paranoid that they were talking about me or keeping something from me. I didn’t like it. But I also didn’t mention it.
"Are you ready to go?" Cruz asked me.
I nodded.
We said goodbye to my band after Knox assured me everything was going to be fine for tonight, and then Cruz linked his fingers with mine and we walked hand-in-hand back to his truck. Though we didn’t escape quite that easily.
“Daisy,” Lily yelled, waving frantically.
“I have a feeling she just wants to introduce you to Kelsey. She’s Pack Mother of Westin Pack and apparently a big fan.”
I understood. Pack Mothers held their own authority and demanded respect within the wolf shifter hierarchy.
“I’d love to meet her,” I said, planting a smile on my face as I prepared to greet an important fan, just as I’d done most of my life.
Lily intercepted us and hugged me.
“Are you okay? I know things were a little dicey this morning, but I think we’ve got all the bugs worked out. Is there anything you need?”
She seemed so genuine and there was no mention at all of the other Pack Mother.
“I’m good. Cruz is taking me home for a break to rest up and get ready for tonight. Unless you need me here for anything.”
“No. You go take care of yourself. We’re good here, and everything is going to go flawlessly.”
“Thanks. Cruz mentioned another Pack Mother is here. Should I pay my respects and say hello before we leave? I’m not used to dealing with so many shifters, so I don’t know exactly what the etiquette is for such things.”
“Kelsey would love that, but it’s not necessary either. We don’t want to stress you out or anything.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. With the obligation gone, I was okay with meeting her. Maybe that sounded weird, but it was how I felt. They weren’t expecting me to perform on the spot the way Ronnie always had.
“I’d love to meet her,” I said, genuinely.
In the past, meeting fans wasn’t always my favorite thing to do, especially high-profile ones. I was always told what to wear, how to stand, when to smile, what to say, and it was daunting. But this time, as I greeted fans with a hug and a big smile, it felt invigorating.
“Hi, I’m Kelsey. Oh my gosh, I can’t even believe it’s really you. When Lily called to gloat, I honestly thought she was kidding. How did we not know you are one of us?” she said discreetly.
I smiled sincerely. “It’s not exactly something I want the world to know about.”
“Oh, I know, but I’m also ready to strangle the entire Westin Force team for not knowing this. They pride themselves on keeping tabs on things like this, and we were all blindsided.”
“Then I guess I’m doing my job well.”
“Amazingly well,” she gushed.
“Isn’t she just adorable? And so sweet and genuine,” Lily gushed. “I haven’t gotten to spend nearly enough time getting to know you, but I can tell.”
“I think you’re right.”
Tricia approached us and went straight to Kelsey and hugged her.
“I’m so excited you’re here,” she squealed.
My instinct was to be taken aback by Kelsey bearing the brunt of the attention when I was there, but honestly, it felt nice, like I was a normal person or something.
“Sorry. I know you’re excited to meet Daisy.
She’s great, but I am so freaking excited to see you.
” Tricia kept an arm around her as she turned to include me into their little circle.
She looked around to see who was nearby before lowering her voice and leaning in.
“Daisy, you’re looking at the two highest ranked witches on the Grand Council’s death list.”
“What?” I screeched.
I knew about Tricia, she’d already explained it a bit, but Kelsey Westin was a Pack Mother. Surely that was a mistake.
Kelsey laughed. “And damn proud of it.”
“Aren’t you scared to be out in public like this? Is it safe?”
“If those idiots are dumb enough to come after us, then let them. It’s completely ridiculous and we aren’t going to live in fear, always watching over our shoulders.
It’s an insane idea to label witches into categories of threat.
We aren’t a threat to anyone. Powerful? Hell yes, but dangerous? No,” she assured me.
I was dying to ask what her powers were that put her at the top of that list, but I didn’t dare. It seemed far too personal and invasive after just having met her.
Besides, my stomach chose that moment to grumble loudly.
I gasped in surprise, but before Lily could even open her mouth, Cruz was at my side.
“You can catch up more later. Daisy has a tight schedule today and is late for lunch.”
“I was just going to offer that,” Lily pouted.
“Already handled. Bye.”
He whisked me away flawlessly.
I giggled when he opened his truck door and motioned for me to get inside.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had security operate so smoothly.”
He shrugged and stepped forward to kiss me before closing the door. He didn’t speak until he was in the driver’s seat, truck on, and backing out of the parking space.
“I doubt anyone has ever been as motivated as I am.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” I was honestly curious as to what he’d say.
“Well, it’s pretty simple, actually. They were hired to keep you safe; I don’t need a reason. I was born to protect you, and I always will.”
I sighed as my heart fluttered.
This man had somehow gotten under my skin. He had changed me. It wasn’t just that I let my guard down around him now, but something more.
I’d just hugged a complete stranger and hadn’t flinched.
Life off the bus, out of the studio, or on stage didn’t feel so terrifying anymore.
Much of my life I’d been sheltered away from people. I’d been taught to believe they all wanted something from me, or that they would hurt me somehow. But not here.
Here, I was living out in the open—I was me. And that seemed to be enough.
Sure, I was still Daisy Brooks, superstar, and even though I was about to walk on the stage tonight in front of his entire Pack, it felt like maybe these people would still accept me for just me. I didn’t have to perform for once. But I very much wanted to as a thank you to everyone I’d met here.
There was no way for any of them to truly understand how much it meant for them to accept me. The support Cruz and I had seen here was unlike anything I’d ever experienced in my life, and I loved it.
He drove us to Kate’s Diner, where I got out and walked in with him, not thinking a thing of it. But as we walked in, we were greeted by a loud squeal.
“It’s Daisy Brooks!”
My wolf immediately surfaced. The hair on my arms stood up as I held back the desire to shift on the spot. My head darted around in every direction, frantically searching and expecting the paparazzi to appear out of thin air.
With heart racing and paranoia fully set in, I was instantly transported back to Memphis. Had Ronnie found me? Had he alerted the media to teach me another lesson?
“Are you okay?” Cruz asked. I could sense his wolf also going on full alert and looking for the source of danger.
“Addison, knock it off,” Kate said. “Or at least save it for the concert. That crap has no place in my diner.”
The girl was sitting with three friends. They looked to be high school or early college age. It was hard to tell, seeing that I had no real experience with girls their age. They still looked excited to see me, but with Kate intervening, they instantly calmed.
I wasn’t overwhelmed by a swarm of other fans. No one rushed me. Cameras didn’t blind me with flashes. None of that happened. Instead, those that had turned to look my way simply turned back to their food and went on about their business.
It took me a few more minutes of watching to calm down enough to sit.
Kate came over with menus.
“Sorry about that. Everyone’s real excited for your concert tonight. I hope they didn’t bother you too much.”
“I’m sure she’s used to it,” Cruz said. “Just give us a moment to look over the menu.”
He and Kate shared a look that I wasn’t privy to, and then she left us alone.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Sorry. The last time someone recognized me in a restaurant without proper security like this, it quickly turned into a mob. The paparazzi were notified and I was swarmed. I guess it just gave me momentary flashbacks. When you brought me here the other day, that was the first time I’d been in a restaurant since that incident. ”
“Just breathe, honey. No one is going to attack you like that or make you feel uncomfortable here. It’s just some girls a bit excited for tonight’s concert.”
I nodded again. And the thing was, I believed him. I felt safe here. It had just been a bit of a post-traumatic stress disorder moment.
My wolf was still a bit on edge, expecting Ronnie to appear out of thin air to try and rescue me from the mess he purposefully created. And I hated that my mind went right back to that situation just because a fangirl squealed when she saw me.
After a moment with no issues, I started to finally relax again.
Kate came back around with our drinks and somehow, she knew exactly what we wanted even though I didn’t remember ordering anything.
“Special is chicken enchiladas today. Do you know what you’d like yet or need a few minutes?”
I never ate in restaurants like this. When we were there the first time, I was being shuffled around and trying not to get whiplash or something.
Cruz had shielded me from it all and Thomas had basically emptied the place to fill it with those I’d already met or close friends of his and Cruz.
But this time was like a normal couple going out for lunch.
It was so surreal to me that this was even possible.
“I really just wanted a cheeseburger and fries,” I admitted.
That too felt special. I hadn’t really mentioned details of my life to Cruz yet. With time, I was sure things would come up—like the traumatic incident in Memphis had.
But my life was not cheeseburgers and fries. They were a very rare treat and always earned me snide comments about my weight from Ronnie.
I knew I wasn’t fat, far from it. I suspected my inner wolf boosted my metabolism compared to average humans. It didn’t seem to matter what or how much I ate, I never really gained weight. But over the years he’d made me very sensitive about it.
No one wants to watch a fat girl dancing around on stage, he’d constantly remind me.
When my lunch arrived, I defiantly picked up that burger and took a big juicy bite, savoring every second of it.
“Oh my gosh, this is so good.”
Cruz grinned. “You don’t get many burgers, do you?”
I shook my head. “Very rare treat. They’ll make me fat and no one wants to see a fat girl dancing on stage.” Resentment and venom was seething through every word.
“Ronnie?” Cruz asked.
“Of course.”
The more I was away from him, the more I was growing to hate him. It was like the distance was helping me see things more clearly.
Why couldn’t I have a normal life? Being a musician was a big part of my life, but did it have to encompass every single second of it? There were others who balanced both. Hell, Reba herself was married twice, and she even had a kid. If she could do it, then why should it be so impossible for me?
Things like this were starting to surface in my mind and in my heart.
Could I have a life with Cruz? Like a normal life?
Could I be part of a Pack again?
Could I have children of my own someday without it destroying my career forever?
Yes! I was starting to realize that if it is the life I truly want, I could make it happen.
Cruz was watching me closely as I finished my plate—also something I rarely did.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
I smiled warmly, letting myself imagine this was just a normal meal on a normal day of my normal life with my amazing mate.
“I’m good,” I told him, and I absolutely meant it.