“I’m sorry, but I don’t have nail polish in a shade of emerald green,” the manicurist doing my mani-pedi told Amy. “But I’m sure I have another color suitable for Miss Wilson that will compliment her gown.”“That’s okay,” I told her. “Miss Gray was joking.”“I thought you might want your nails to match your dress like mine,” Amy teased.“Yeah, but your dress is pink,” I reminded her. “I’d rather have pearl white nails than any shade of green.”Amy giggled again. She was feeling a little silly after getting massages and facials the day before the prom.I wished I could match Amy’s enthusiasm for the prom, but she had Justin, while the guy I wanted to be my escort had disappeared from my life.Victor hadn’t called or come by my office or the mansion in weeks. After running into Lana and Harry at Gisele’s, I texted him again, asking if he heard Alex was getting well.Victor responded with a thumbs-up emoji, and he called Alex to congratulate him.“I love spa days,” Amy said as her manicu
“I don’t understand either,” I said. “I saw you driving the blue car.” I know I did.“Daisy, I never had a blue car,” William insisted. “The only car I’ve ever owned is my black Mustang.”I was so sure it was William who saved me. It’s what started my crush on him. Yet, there was no reason for him to deny it was him.“William, was it you who found me lying on the side of the road?” I asked.“No, it wasn’t me,” he replied. “I wish I knew who it was. I would like to thank them for helping you.”I put the candy back in my pocket. Everything I believed about that day was falling apart. William was modest, but why would he deny doing such a good deed?“I know I saw you getting into a blue car more than once, and one time, I saw you drive it away from the school.” I know what I saw. I couldn’t be convinced otherwise.“Daisy, I never had a blue car,” William insisted. “I don’t remember ever driving one either. My mom and dad have white and silver cars, so it can’t have been theirs that you s
William and I walked to the front of the mansion together. We were both still stunned by what we had discovered, and we remained silent until we reached the front door.“I’m sure you have a lot to think about,” William said. He kissed my cheek, and his voice took on a strange tone. “You’ve been a good friend to me too, Daisy. See you later.”Watching him climb into the Mustang and leave, I had a strange feeling in my stomach. As I slowly walked into the house, everything began sinking in.I had always been sure that William was the guy who saved me. It was a shock to know it had been Victor instead.Even more shocking was it meant the Goddess wanted me to be with Victor. But it was too late. I was going to the prom with William, and Victor was avoiding me.I went inside and hurried to my room. A few moments later, Diana and I leaped from the balcony and began running toward the field.As we ran, all the special moments I had with Victor played in my mind. I adored spending time with h
“I must be dreaming again,” I mumbled as I walked into Victor's arms.No, he was real! This was really happening! I felt the tingling sensation as his strong arms closed around me. It was heaven to be back in his embrace.“But, what about ….” I didn’t want to say William's name and break the spell.“William called me,” Victor explained. “He said he realized you and I belong together, and he will no longer get in our way. He asked me to escort you to the prom.”“Is he okay?” I pulled away from Victor a few inches. “I didn’t want him to be hurt. He’s a good guy.”“He’s fine,” Victor assured me.“I’m awfully glad you’re here, but I feel terrible that William will miss his senior prom because of me.”“He’s not missing anything.” Victor grinned and put the corsage on my wrist. “He accepted a promposals from a nice little blonde cheerleader.”I was surprised for a moment, and then I hugged Victor tightly. “I’m glad he’s going with her. If it’s the girl I’m thinking of, she adores him.”“Hey
I almost missed some steps as I thought about William’s request.Although I didn’t know anyone who had undergone a rejection ceremony, I had heard of them. I wasn’t sure how the ritual worked or what I had to do. All I've heard about them is that they are painful.I felt guilty that William was willing to go through that to get over me and reclaim his life. Yet I couldn’t help who I loved.Deep in my heart and soul, I knew I wanted to be with Victor. I think I always did. I just didn’t realize it until recently. So it was only fair that I do anything I could to help William move on.“William, if you think a rejection ceremony will help you, we will do it,” I told him. “I’ll talk to Alex about having it at our home.”“Thank you, Daisy.” He looked into my eyes as we danced. “I want you to know I wish you and Victor much happiness together.”William’s words were sincere, but there was a deep sadness in his eyes that I could feel through Diana.Being near William and Mark had her feeling
“I just want to hold you, Daisy,” he said. “I know you well enough to know you aren’t ready for us to be intimate. That’s okay.”“Really?” I asked. “I don’t mean to be nervous, but you make me feel things. Things that my body wants that I don’t understand. It scares me a little.”I bit my lip as my face turned red. I couldn’t believe I said that to him.He kissed my hair. “Don’t be afraid. Someday, when you’re ready, we will explore what our bodies want from each other. But I promise I won’t rush you.”“I had no expectations when I offered to bring you here,” he added. “I want to hold you, sit quietly, and talk. I’ve missed you so much, Daisy.”I relaxed into his arms and put my head on his shoulder. “I’ve missed you too. Talking would be nice.”“Did you enjoy your prom?” he asked.“It was wonderful because I was with you,” I said. “It was a miracle when I saw you walk into the foyer wearing your tux.”“William made it happen. He is a good man,” he said. “As soon as he realized we bel
Jennifer woke me in the late morning the next day, and I hurried to get dressed and go downstairs to speak to Alex. I found him in his study.“Dearest, you just caught me,” Alex said. “ I was leaving for the association office.”“Can you spare a few minutes before you go?” I asked. “I need to talk to you about something important.”“If it’s important, the association can wait,” Alex declared. “What’s on your mind, sweetheart?”I explained to Alex about William needing the rejection ceremony and my willingness to go through with one even though Diana told me they could be dangerous.He was concerned, yet supportive. “A rejection ceremony can be dangerous, but I would rather you and William dissolve your bond since you have chosen Victor to be your mate.”“I believe it would be best for all three of us,” I said.“Are you talking about the rejection ceremony?” Victor asked as he walked into the room.“Yes,” I replied. “I talked to Diana and thought it over, and I believe we should procee
“Daisy, please don’t ask me to shift,” Diana begged. “I must help Mark get through the ritual. He is in agony.”As much as Diana was hurting, her thoughts were for Mark. It reminded me that not just my happiness was at stake.“Mark, you must believe me. Completing the ritual will end our pain,” she pleaded. “I’ll always treasure my bond with you. Please don’t spoil the memories I will have of us with violence. There will be another for you someday.”The priestess realized the danger. “Step back now, and continue to pray with me while I sever the bond,” she ordered Victor.After he returned to Alex’s side, she turned to me. “Daisy, do you wish this bond to be forever broken?”“Yes, I do,” I said.“William, do you wish to be free of this bond also?” the priestess asked.“Yes!” exploded from his mouth. His upturned features and bulging throat told me he was still struggling with Mark and his own pain. His efforts were impressive.The priestess took a sharp ritual blade from the leather p