Chapter 67

I knew what William wanted to talk about. He looked as edgy as I felt.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t say anything that would make my decision harder. Still, I would bet he wanted to ask me about the decision between him and Victor.

I was a little hesitant to hear what he had to say.

My mind was already spinning while trying to make sense of everything. But the look in his eyes had made it impossible for me to say I didn’t want to talk to him right now.

He sat down on the other end of the couch and turned toward me.

“I am surprised that you did not choose Victor right away. Isn’t he your fiancé?”

I began fidgeting with the fabric of my robe. What could I tell him that wouldn’t betray Victor and the deal we had made?

It would be embarrassing for William to know that Victor was helping me attract him in exchange for my agreeing to be Victor’s fake fiancé.

It sounded more than a bit silly to me now. I wondered if fate was playing a trick by giving me a double-mate bond with William and Victor because of my deal with Victor.

My heartbeat accelerated while I decided how to answer William’s question.

“I feel terrible about trying to take Victor’s fiancé,” William added as he ran a hand over his face.

I’d never seen mellow William stressed out. I didn’t like being the cause.

“And you know I want nothing to do with the leadership position. I think Victor is entitled to it. But my wolf is restless and won’t stop asking me to talk to you about it.”

“He feels a pull to your wolf so strongly that it makes us both feel edgy,” he continued. “When you said you couldn’t decide, I knew I had to ask you what you were really feeling.”

“I understand how difficult this must be for you and your wolf,” I told him. “But this decision is a difficult one for me, and it is one that I cannot make immediately.”

“I’m sorry to be pressuring you. I wouldn’t want to have to make a decision like this one. I’m sorry you do,” William said and rose from the couch.

“But, as your father said, it would be better for everyone involved if you make your decision quickly. The suspense has my wolf on tenterhooks. It feels as if he’s constantly pacing through my mind.”

“I understand, and I promise you that I will do my best to speed my decision, William,” I said and stood beside him. “You have been such a good friend, and I hate causing you any pain or frustration.”

He nodded with a sad look in his eyes. “If you choose Victor, I promise I will understand.”

“And I won’t stick around and be a problem for you. I want you to be happy, Daisy. I will leave the city and keep myself and my wolf far away from you and Diana while he gets over his disappointment.”

William was trying to be considerate, but it made me feel even worse. I had to tell him something to make him and his wolf feel less rejected.

But I wasn’t good at these things. I had no experience with relationships. Plus, I wasn’t positive I wanted to reject him yet.

Still, my agreement with Victor couldn’t be pushed aside. And I wasn’t sure if William wanted me or if it was just his wolf that wanted Diana.

“William, you must understand that there are things about me you don’t know.”

William put a hand on my shoulder and looked into my eyes. I saw an expression on his face that I had never seen before. It made me feel sad.

“Daisy, tell me what it is that I don’t know. Please, you can tell me anything. And no matter what you decide, we will always be friends.”

I had to tell him something. My anxiety grew until my mouth spoke before my brain knew what it would say.

“Victor and I have sort of an agreement… kind of like a contract between us,” I blurted out.

“Yes, you’re engaged,” William said. “I already knew that.”

“That’s not what I meant,” I said and began to pace the room. “I …I agreed to be his fiancé in public in exchange for certain … um, favors from him.”

I can’t believe I told him. It had been a secret that I swore I would keep. At least I didn’t blurt out that Victor was helping me to attract William because I had a crush on him.

Agitatedly, William ran a hand through his hair. I’d never seen him so restless before. “What favor is Victor doing for you?” he asked.

He was trying to understand my feelings. I appreciated that, but why did it annoy me so much?

My mind spun faster, trying to find an answer that would satisfy him and not embarrass me. Finally, I thought of my mother’s foundation.

“Victor promised to help me find donors for a charitable foundation my mother set up before I was born. It helps poor and needy Betas and Omegas in this area.”

I couldn’t believe how smoothly I had just lied to him. It made me feel more guilty.

“Sometimes lies are necessary, Daisy,” Diana told me. It was nice to know she was still with me. I couldn’t wait to get upstairs to my room and talk to her about this decision of ours.

“Add to the lie a little to make it even more believable,” Diana advised. “We all have secrets. You must always guard yours well.”

I dug into my mind for something believable, but I despised being untruthful to a friend.

“Victor also promised to ensure Alex’s business interests would come to me more smoothly after he passes away.”

William’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened. “I can’t believe your engagement hasn’t been real. But yet, where does this leave me?”

William took a deep, shaky breath. “Tell me one thing. Do you have feelings for Victor?”

“Victor has been very good to me,” I replied. “He is an exceptional friend, too.”

Seeing the stressed expression on his face made me feel terrible. Whether or not it was William who wanted me or his wolf who wanted Diana, I felt a wave of pity.

I didn’t want to be the cause of that look, but I had to be truthful.

“I am probably going to choose Victor tomorrow…” I cringed at the hurt look in William's eyes. “...because of the agreement between us. But you and I will always be friends, and I don’t want you to leave the city. I would miss you too much.”

“Yes, that is probably the best choice for the three of us,” William mumbled to himself. “I don’t want the leader position and… you two have an agreement. That is for the best..”

William turned away from me.

I guess he did want his dream over a fated mate. I made the wise choice. I told myself.

But if I rejected William’s wolf tomorrow, will I still have my chance to be with William after Victor secured his Alpha Leader position in the future?

There was nothing else I could say any more, so I went to my bedroom.

Diana was silent as I prepared for bed. But as I climbed under the covers, she asked me, “Do you want to choose Victor and his wolf, Adam?”

“I think so,” I replied. “Do you think that is the right decision for now?”

“Both of these Alphas and their wolves are excellent choices for mates,” Diana said. “I would be happy with either.”

“But it seemed to me that your choice was made for everyone else except yourself. Were you really okay with this?” Diana asked.

“You know I don’t have a better option,” I told her.

Diana sighed.

“If the choice will make you happy for a while, I guess it also works for me,” Diana said after a long silence.

“Thank you, Diana,” I said.