Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Ollie’s POV
+25 BONUS
“Ollie, where are all the flowers?” Diana asks, when she herself arrives twenty minutes later. Sylvia and the quadruplets are likely here too, but they are probably in a couple of the backrooms getting ready.
A very big part of me wants to tell Diana the truth that Sylvia either forgot or purposefully did not order the flowers. Yet, I’ve learned by now that, even without Sylvia present, my old family would still rise up to protect her.
I could tell Diana that Sylvia dropped the ball on this, but I am certain I would still take the blame.
For that reason, I think. Fast.
There has to be a way out of this that doesn’t end with me being in trouble again.
“I, uh, decided to make the flowers part of the ceremony,” I say.
Her eyebrows lift. “Oh?”
“Yes, uh… They’ll be brought in like a great procession before the brothers come in…” I say.
“Oh, how interesting,” Diana says, considering it. “Yes, that could be beautiful, and would add more effect than the boys simply walking in alone.”
Some pride starts to swell within me, yet before it can fully take root, she continues, “But you should have suggested this to me before now. You know I don’t like surprises like these, not during such a grand event.”
I lower my head a little. “I apologize, Luna.”
“Not a Luna for much longer. After the ceremony, you can just call me Diana,” she says.
Maybe I should feel pleased that she’s giving me permission to address her by her name, but instead I just feel a pang of pain. Once, I called her Mom. Any other title now feels insufficient.
“Right,” I say. I have to agree. What choice do I have?
What choice do I ever have anymore?
I can’t wait to be free of this place. After today, I will be a Gamma, and can start sending away those university applications to the other packs.
I just need to survive this ceremony first.
As time goes on, I grow more and more nervous. When the florist is five minutes late, Diana gives me a warning look. At ten, I try calling her. At fifteen minutes late, five minutes before the event is set to start, she finally arrives.
Fortunately, in that time, Ella and I have convinced most of the previous volunteers to help out again, by carrying in the flowers and leaving them at the assigned points. With everyone helping, we all go to unload the flowers from the truck.
The florist hands me the bill. “You owe me big for this,” she says. And not just in money. I expect a favor in the future.”
“Okay,” I tell her. I don’t tell her she only has a month or two to call that favor in, since I have every intention of leaving the pack.
The volunteers begin to unload the truck and line up. At the same time, Sylvia and the brothers step out of their backroc come closer.
The brothers are wearing tailored white suits with golden trim and green cufflinks. The original design suits them each well. They look regal and handsome.
A matching green gown had been prepared for Sylvia, but at the last minute, she wanted something bright red. The gown she wears is still beautiful, but the color clashes with everything and everyone else.
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Chapter 37
Somehow, I’m willing to believe that she prefers it that way, as it thily does make her stand out.
Whatever. This will all be over soon.
But then Sylvia sees the volunteers holding the flowers line up for the procession and storms toward me and Diana.
“What is this, Ollie?” she asks. “Where are the flowers I ordered?
+25 BONUS
Where are they indeed? I want to say, but bite my tongue. If I stick to the truth, perhaps the others will see what Sylvia has done
or failed to do – even if I can’t directly call her out on it.
“No other flowers arrived. Ella and I called every florist in town, but they had no record of your order. Fortunately, the florist ! had initially ordered from still had all those bouquets in stock.”
