Chapter 66

Gradually, all the guests left, and the four of us were left alone in the ballroom. I was glad they were gone.

As I watched the last stragglers wander out the door, my anger towards the gossipers deflated, and the full weight of what had happened fell upon me.

I followed Alex out the ballroom door and down the long hallway with Victor and William close behind me.

They were no longer fighting, but they weren’t speaking either.

The looks they exchanged were more awkward than ever, and they did not seem like the same happy Victor and William that I knew.

I didn’t blame them for being upset. None of us knew what was going to happen. But this fantastic event was going to change our lives.

One she-wolf cannot have two Fated Mates. It wouldn’t work. Jealousy would tear the three of us apart.

Before this night, I was unsure how Victor and William felt about me.

I knew I had a crush on William but we were still friends. Victor just wanted me to secure his position as our Alpha leader.

Now, their wolves must feel much differently about mine. It was something that could not be controlled.

Of course, I had noticed that they were both extremely attractive males. Their human forms are absolute eye candy. But all I had with them were good friendships.

I had gotten to know both of them very well since the beginning of my Alpha life. They gradually let me into their minds, and I knew them better than most others in their lives did.

That’s why I knew I should probably choose William.

He was the reason I started the fake engagement with Victor.

And he was the most like me of my two potential mates. We had the same political leanings, and we both preferred to stay out of the spotlight.

Yet Things were more complicated than I had thought before now.

I never mentioned to William that I had a crush on him. And nothing that had happened between us in the past could even remotely be considered romantic. He even still saw me as Victor’s fiancee.

We were just not there yet.

But how can I choose Victor? I knew Victor well enough to know he didn’t want to settle down with just one mate.

The life of a wealthy playboy suited Victor very well.

And William had big plans for his life too.

William may think that being my true mate would be a burden since he made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with business.

He would never be happy running my father’s business and being the leader of the United Association of Alphas.

That would be a worse fate for him than the one his parents had in mind for him. Being my Fated Mate would definitely conflict with his dream.

And Victor… Victor has helped me so much, and he has become one of the most important friends I’ve ever had.

Plus, I made a deal. How could I risk Victor’s leadership position now?

Victor was told all his life he would be the next leader. How could I take it away from him now?

It was an impossible dilemma that could not be decided in an instant.

While I was walking, lost in my thoughts, we reached the living room and filed inside.

“Please be seated, all of you. We need to talk.” Alex said.

“Alex, what is going on?” I said. “How can my wolf feel the mate bond with both Victor and William’s wolf?”

“I don’t know,” Alex admitted. “I have never seen this happen myself.” Exhausted, Alex sat down in a recliner and put his feet up before he continued.

“But I have heard stories of this happening. And I have been told that it never ends well. Wolves who feel the mate bond will do anything for that mate, even kill.”

Victor and William looked at each other and quickly turned their gaze away.

The awkwardness between them was still there.

“However, I could tell that Victor and William are two composed and educated young Alphas that can control their wolves properly for now,” Alex ignored the tension between Victor and William.

“Daisy, you should discuss this matter with your wolf. She will help you better understand what is truly in your heart and mind.”

“But I ask you to choose quickly for the sake of peace. You must make your choice and reject the other male as soon as possible. It would be cruel to make them wait very long for your decision.”

“You don’t have a preference?” I asked. “The Alpha wolf who I take as my mate is supposed to be the next leader of the United Association of Alphas.”

“I approve of either male. They are both honorable and strong and will make a good leader. You would be fortunate to have either as a mate.

I sat down on the couch and looked at Victor and William. The expressions on their handsome faces showed a mixture of emotions.

Some I didn’t recognize. But I understood the look of unease, hope, and confusion in their eyes.

They both had been good friends to me and meant more to me than I had realized. How could I choose between them?

My mind spun, and my shoulders felt heavy with the weight of the decision I had to make.

I couldn’t do it. It would be irresponsible to make a choice between them now.

“I …I’m sorry,” I stammered. “I want to end this drama, but I can’t make a choice right now. I need a little time to think. And I want to talk to Diana.”

“Very well, my daughter, “Alex agreed. “I can understand how hard this decision is for you. But try not to take too much time. This decision affects more than you realize.”

I nodded and stood. “Please excuse me. I’m going to my room. I need to be alone to think.”

I went to Alex and hugged him. “You should go lie down, father. It has been a long and tiring evening for us all. I will let you know if I make a decision.”

“I believe I will very soon,” Alex agreed as he returned my embrace.

His pinched expression, and the tired look in his eyes made me more worried about him. He shouldn’t have worn himself out like this.

I was glad to see him start out of the room.

Anxious to get to my own room, I started for the hall. I needed to be alone with Diana and my thoughts.

My mind and emotions were whirling from everything that had happened. From my first shift to the discovery of my double mate bond, the evening had been exhausting.

Before I got out the door, William stepped in front of me. “Daisy, I need to talk to you alone, please?” he pleaded.

As much as I wanted to be alone to speak with Diana, I agreed. What else could I do? The look on his face told me his emotions were churning too.

Alex was leaving the room with Victor right behind him. But Victor threw me a look over his shoulder that told me he was as confused and upset as William.

The situation was an impossible tangle.

William was waiting for me on the couch. I sat back down and waited for him to speak.