Chapter 221

“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, you two. There’s plenty of time for that later,” Lana said as she and Harry entered the house.

“Lana!” I laughed. The day just kept getting better.

Alex greeted Victor’s parents warmly, and they stood back to admire Victor and me in our formal clothing.

“I’d like a few photos of the two of you decked out in your prom clothes,” Alex said.

They make a nice couple,” Harry said. “I swear Daisy gets prettier every time I see her.”

Alex motioned to Benson, who snapped several photos of Victor and me and then a couple with Alex standing to my left and Lana and Harry on Victor’s right.

I was showing a lot of teeth in each photo because I’d never been happier in my life. Best of all, Victor was here with me, and Alex was getting better.

Everything in my life seemed to be falling into place.

“You two should get going,” Lana suggested. “You don’t want to be late.”

Benson brought me the silk shawl I planned to wear over my gown, and we went out the door.

I walked a few steps, expecting to find the Lamborghini parked nearby. Instead, I stopped and stared at the gigantic black Hummer limousine parked in Victor’s usual spot.

“That thing is a block long!” I giggled. “What’s in there, a swimming pool and a bowling alley?”

“I could have ordered one with a hot tub, but I thought you’d be worried about your hair and makeup,” Victor laughed.

“Maybe next time,” I said and climbed inside the door the chauffeur held open. “Wow!” I said as I looked around. “It’s bigger than my bedroom at my foster parents’ house.”

“Does that mean you like it?” Victor asked.

“It’s great.” I sat on a plush bench seat deep enough to use as a bed.

Victor sat next to me and put an arm around my shoulders. “I didn’t want to take the chance of messing up your hair again by driving the Lamborghini.”

“Thank you,” I said. “I still can’t believe you’re taking me to the prom.”

“William wanted it this way,” Victor said. “He apologized for making it more difficult for me to be with you and not bowing out sooner.”

“What else did William say?” I asked.

“He wanted to know why I never told him that you were the girl I found lying alongside the road.”

“I want to know why you never told me,” I said.

“I didn’t realize you didn’t know,” he replied. “I thought maybe you didn’t want to talk about it.”

“I was only conscious for a few seconds,” I explained. “I couldn’t remember your face, only the front of the car, and that I felt safe in your arms.”

He tightened the arm around my shoulders. “You’ll always be safe in my arms. I promise. Did you really have a vision?”

I nodded. “Do you think that’s silly?”

“Not at all,” Victor assured me. “I’m relieved to know the Goddess approves of us. I want a modern household, but I would like my children to have respect for the old customs and traditions.”

“I agree,” I said. “That sounds like a perfect balance.” It was strange yet thrilling to hear Victor speak of his children.

“I can’t believe I’m here with you,” I said. “I’m sorry I accepted William’s prom invitation. I wanted to go with you, but I felt bad for him because he went to so much trouble, and all the kids at school were watching to see what my answer would be.”

“You are so sweet and caring,” Victor whispered. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about.”

Nestling my head against his shoulder, I sighed. Being with Victor was where I was meant to be. I didn’t want to be without him again.

I looked up and saw familiar buildings sliding past the windows.

“Why are we near Gray’s restaurant?” I asked. “The prom is blocks away from here.”

“It’s another surprise for you,” Victor replied. “We are picking up Amy and Justin. They are waiting for us at the restaurant.”

“Now who’s being sweet and caring,” I said as I cuddled closer to Victor's side. “Amy is going to love this limousine.”

“I’ll do anything to make you happy,” Victor said.

The limo pulled in front of the restaurant, and Victor and I went inside. The restaurant was half-full. We found Amy and Justin standing near the brick fireplace, having their picture taken by Mr. Gray. He was a very proud papa today.

“Ah, there you two are,” Mr. Gray said. “Come over and stand by Amy and Justin so I can take your picture. All of you look magnificent.”

Amy looked exquisite in the pink dress, while Justin looked handsome in a gray tux with pink piping.

Soon, we were piling into the limousine and on our way to the prom. It was being held in the ballroom of a local hotel.

When we walked in the doors, I was amazed by the decorations. The prom theme was an Enchanted Forest, and it was perfect.

There was a charming thatched cottage erected on one side of the room where people were getting professional photos taken. And there was fake moss covering the walls, artificial trees and toadstools scattered around the room, and tiny fairy lights were strung everywhere.

Victor and I sat at a table with Amy and Justin and had a blast. We ate great food and danced the night away. I didn’t know Victor could fast dance too. The guy had some mighty fine moves.

Several times, I saw William with the girl who gave him the glitter confetti proposal. They seemed happy, and I was glad for them.

Toward the end of the evening, William approached our table.

“Hey Victor, I hope you don’t mind, but I would like one dance with Daisy,” he said.

“Sure, if she wants to dance with you,” Victor replied.

I nodded and got to my feet.

He took my hand, and we walked onto the dance floor. I didn’t know what to say, but William had a few things on his mind.

“I want you to know that Victor gave me the entire idea for my promposal,” William admitted. “I wasn’t the one that was being thoughtful; he was.”

“Thanks for telling me,” I said. “I hope we can still be friends.”

“We will always be friends, Daisy,” he assured me. But I need a favor from you.”

“Sure,” I agreed. “What can I do?” He was being so decent about everything that I felt like I owed him.

William looked into my eyes, and I saw his wolf looking back at me. I could feel it’s restlessness and hurt.

“I need you to have a formal rejection ceremony with the high priestess officiating,” William said. “It’s the only way I’ll be free of the mate bond with you. I want to move on with my life and not feel you every day.”

It felt like something knocked the wind out of me. He wanted a formal rejection ceremony. They were so rare that I had only heard of them because they could be painful for both parties.

“If that’s what you need, we’ll do it,” I said. I didn’t want to tell William no, but a rejection ceremony made me nervous.