Chapter 224

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 proceed with the ceremony. I won’t feel right about us moving forward with our relationship until we do.”

“I believe you are right,” Alex said.

“And I promise to be there to support you,” Victor said.

“Diana said that wouldn’t be wise,” I told him. “Your presence could provoke William’s wolf.”

“Daisy, this ceremony could be painful for you, too,” Alex said. “I would feel better if Victor were there with you.”

I shook my head. “I can’t stand the thought of violence between Victor and William.”

“I would never harm William,” Victor promised. “He has done nothing to me. The double mate bond was not of his making or ours. But I must be at your side during the ceremony.”

“Very well,” I agreed. “Alex, may we use the family’s ceremony room?”

“Of course, sweetheart,” Alex replied. “I will contact the priestess for you now and see when she is available.”

After he spoke to the priestess, he told me she could perform the ceremony tomorrow morning at dawn.

“I will call William and tell him,” I said. “Is there anything that needs to be done to prepare for the ceremony?”

“Benson will take care of most of the preparations.” Alex nodded at Benson, who stood nearby. “All you need to do is spend the day in quiet contemplation.”

“Why?” I wasn’t arguing, but I wanted to understand as much as I could about the rejection ceremony rituals.

“Before she cuts the cord representing your bond with William, the priestess will ask you if you are sure you want it severed. You must answer honestly from your heart with no reservations, or it will not work.”

I nodded. “Thank you for your help.”

“Victor, I’m ready,” Alex said. “Daisy, Victor, and I have Association business to attend to. We will see you later.”

I walked them to the front door and received a quick kiss from Victor that made me tingle to the tips of my toes. Then I went to the living room and called William.

“The ceremony is set for tomorrow at dawn,” I told him.

“You don’t sound eager for it to be performed,” he said hopefully.

“I’ve been told it’s dangerous,” I said. “I’ve been warned that a jealous or hurting wolf can take over and cause harm or kill.”

“Don’t worry, I can control Mark,” William said. “He won’t hurt anyone.”

“Victor wants to be there,” I warned him.

William sighed. “I still won’t allow him to harm anyone, especially not you. See you in the morning, Daisy, and thank you.”

I hung up, feeling sad for William again. And I was growing more frightened of the ceremony. Yet, we all needed an ending to this complicated situation so the next chapter of our lives could truly begin.

Deciding to spend the rest of the morning in the library, I tried to read until Benson brought me lunch on a tray.

“You didn’t have breakfast this morning,” Benson said as he placed a steaming bowl of soup and a roast beef and cheddar panini on the coffee table in front of me.

“Everything is being prepared for the ceremony,” Benson reported. “I assume you want it to be kept private; therefore, only the Jameses have been invited, along with Mr. Klein, Jennifer, and your father. Is there anyone else you wish to be present at the ceremony?”

“No, thank you, Benson,” I said. “What do we wear?”

“Somber ceremonial robes are being cleaned and pressed for the occasion,” he replied. “This ceremony is not something to be celebrated. Please remember to remove your jewelry and wear no makeup.”

“And since the ceremony is at dawn, I planned on having a quiet breakfast for everyone in the family dining room after the ceremony.”

“It sounds like you have everything in hand,” I said.

Benson left the room, and I ate my lunch, hoping everything would work out well for everyone.

---

The next morning, I was up before dawn. My stomach squirmed with nervousness when I remembered why my alarm was set this early.

Climbing from my bed, I wished the ceremony was over. I had a bad feeling. Diana had been quiet since yesterday afternoon. I could feel her anxiety as well as my own.

After showering, I dressed in the plain brown robe Jennifer had brought to my room the previous night, combed my hair, and made sure I wasn’t wearing any jewelry.

As I was slipping sneakers onto my feet, Jennifer came to my door to tell me it was time.

Downstairs, Alex and Victor waited for me in the foyer. We didn’t speak and linked arms before walking up the hall to the ceremony room.

The hidden door was open. We stopped before entering the room to give me a moment to gather my strength, and then Alex walked me up the aisle between the benches to the dais.

William was already waiting there for me. He glanced at me as I stepped onto the platform next to him, but his severe expression didn’t change.

He was struggling to control his wolf, and I was growing concerned about Diana. I felt like she was pacing a small cage in my mind.

I was terrified, but I wanted this to end. The double-mate bond had caused enough pain and suffering.

The priestess finished sprinkling a powder around the room and stepped onto the dais with William and me. She took a leather pack and opened it on top of the altar.

Then she stood in front of us and tied William's left arm to my right arm with a leather cord. She sprinkled more powder over our arms and said the words invoking the old ones.

“This bond is strong,” she said. “Everyone, pray with me.”

“Plas forgyf us ure gyltas. Goryz lytus uxzel. Nom gyre, nom ryfm, zyr ryfm,” the priestess and the witnesses chanted. It was a plea to the goddess to intercede with the oldest of our spirits to release William and me from our bond.

“Ah, ah, ah,” Diana moaned, and I gasped as her pain flooded my mind. It felt like something was being torn from my soul.

The chanting continued, and I felt my arm begin to shake. It was William. His entire body shook as his eyes bulged. His handsome face was red and distorted, and a vicious growl was bubbling from his throat.

I glanced over my shoulder at Victor. He had to leave. It wasn’t safe for him to be here.

But he misinterpreted my look and moved closer to me. He had to move farther away. Mark sensed Adam’s presence, and a howl erupted from William’s throat.

“Victor, get back!” I cried. “Please!” I understood his concern for me. I was tied to a werewolf who was in extreme pain and losing control. But, coming closer to us made it worse.

Victor had sworn not to harm William. But if William shifted and caught Victor off guard, he could be killed. And then William would be punished severely, maybe even put to death, for not controlling his wolf.

I had to do something before I lost them both. “William, please try to stay calm. The ceremony will end soon, and the pain will stop for good. You will be free.”

William’s head turned, and I saw he was losing his fight to control his wolf. His face was flickering from wolf to human as his eyes glowed red.

“No!” I screamed. “No!” This couldn’t be happening. I wouldn’t let it happen. I had to shift and stop William myself. He might not harm me.

If he was beyond reason, I may be able to delay his attack on Victor long enough for Victor to shift and be able to defend himself.

“Diana,” I called for my wolf.