The Collaring
My Choice
Headmaster Wallace murmurs to me, “Shall we try that again?”
I smile and nod.
Continuing where he left off, he addresses the assembly, “Miss Lane’s willingness to learn became an asset as she openly explored and grew under the guidance and safe practices of this program.
She sets an excellent example for future students.
It is my pleasure to present to you, Miss Sophie Lane, graduate of the Submissive Training Center. ”
I take in the applause as I stare at Gwen, who claps perhaps the most enthusiastically for me. When it finally dies down, Headmaster Wallace shakes my hand. “Well done, Miss Lane. It has been a pleasure working with you.”
I move to the left, where Mr. Onassis hands me a plaque. He then takes my hand in both of his as he shakes it. “Excellent job, Miss Lane. We are all proud of your success.”
I bow my head to him and whisper, “I will miss you.”
He responds with a tender smile before preparing for Nash.
Instead of calling Nash up to the stage, Headmaster Wallace states, “Although Charles Nash has successfully completed the program, in light of what happened today, he must be given the time and help he requires. Therefore, his graduation will take place at a later date.”
I glance at Nash to see Anton standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder in silent support. Although Nash looks lost, I know he could not be in better hands.
Headmaster Wallace calls out, “Ms. Amethyst Prescott…”
Once all of the names are called and there is a final round of applause, we are finally free to mingle.
The first thing I do is run straight to Gwen and hug her. “I am so glad you’re here!”
“Me, too. There is no other place I would want to be tonight.”
We walk around the large room, observing the festivities, now in full swing. With only an hour before the collaring ceremony, I start scouting the sea of people, looking for familiar faces. Gwen is the first to spot Matisse, who is looking straight at me.
I can see the feral look of Kaelith in his eyes as he approaches. I glance down at his wrist, excited to see that he is wearing a gold band.
“Good evening, Miss Lane,” he says in a seductive voice as he kisses my hand.
The intimacy of our encounter in the forest comes rushing back, and I look up at him. “I must thank you again for that beautiful cloak. It keeps me warm when I am cold, and it’s the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.”
“I am glad to hear it, mon trésor.”
I sigh, caught up in his intense gaze.
Gwen whispers in my ear, “I’ll give you two some space.”
“No need,” I tell her. I look up at Matisse. “You will be my first interview tonight.”
He inclines his head. “I am looking forward to it, Miss Lane.” Kissing my hand again, he excuses himself.
Looking over the crowd, I’m drawn to one man who has his back to me. Moving toward him, I smile when he turns, and I see my sexy beach partner. I lean into Gwen and whisper, “He’s the man from Rio.”
“Ooh…” she murmurs as we close the gap between us.
I had forgotten the intensity of our attraction until he looks into my eyes and takes my hand. The spark between us is re-ignited, and I feel weak in the knees and unsteady.
“I have been looking forward to this moment,” he states, leaning in to kiss me on the left cheek and then the right.
My stomach flutters, and I glance down at his wrist and see he is not wearing a band.
He smiles at me alluringly when he notices and says, “The fantasy remains our reality.”
I understand perfectly. We were strangers and will remain strangers, keeping that day on the beach a perfect memory.
Turning to Gwen, I introduce the two, then say as I wink at Rafael, “He really knows how to drive a car.”
While she talks to him about her love for Rio, I spot Brie and Sir Davis.
“Please excuse me,” I tell them both. “I see someone I have to thank.”
Before I leave, Rafael grabs my wrist and whispers in my ear, “The confidence you wear now is intoxicating, Miss Lane.”
My insides tingle as I gaze into his eyes. “Thank you, Rafael.”
Excited when I see Brie and Sir Davis across the room, I leave Gwen with Rafael and hurry to join them.
When Brie spots me, she breaks into a beautiful smile. “Sophie!”
It feels like I am being reunited with a long-time friend when we hug each other.
“Congratulations!” she cries. “I’m so proud of you.”
I giggle like a kid. “It’s been amazing! All of it. Even the difficult trials.”
She nods enthusiastically. “I knew you would do well.”
I look up at Sir Davis and bow my head in respect. “It is a pleasure to see you again, Sir Davis.”
He holds out his hand, and I grasp it warmly. “It is an honor to shake the hand of a graduate from the first graduating class of the Submissive Training Center in New York.”
“The honor is mine,” I tell him, beaming with happiness.
“The difference between the woman I met then and the woman you are now is remarkable. As is your talent.”
I look at him questioningly. “Talent?”
Brie grins. “I have listened to your song on repeat. It’s healed a broken part of my heart,” she says with tears in her eyes, touching her chest.
“You know about that?”
She laughs when she sees my surprise. “The whole world knows about it. It’s up to two million views, isn’t it?”
I stare at her in shock. “I haven’t looked since this week started.”
Brie smiles at me, gleaming with pride. “And to think…I knew you before you were famous.”
“I’m not famous.”
“You will be, and I hope you’re prepared for it.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I’ve heard rumors that one of the morning shows will be contacting you soon. People are clamoring to know more about the woman behind the beautiful music.”
I shake my head. “I’m not interested in being famous.”
She looks at me with sympathy. “It’s already happening. Embrace the wave but remember this, you’re going to need support. Trust me. I’ll always be a call away, night or day. Remember that.”
I nod slowly, still taking in what she’s said.
Sir Davis looks at me kindly. “We will be here for several days, Miss Lane. It’s important that you take advantage of this time. Your future may be in this room.”
I get chills when I hear that.
Thanking them both again, I seek Gwen out and ask her to scout out any potential Doms as I look over the crowd. I’m disappointed not to see Leōn. Although we are not compatible in our kinks, I was still hoping he would come.
Seeing Master Navarro talking to Anton, I hurry over to greet him.
“Miss Lane,” he says in his rich Catalan accent.
I bow to him and thank him for coming. I discreetly glance down at his wrist and notice that he is wearing a band.
Anton shares, “Master Navarro was just mentioning how much you’ve blossomed since he scened with you.”
The Maestro nods, looking at me with pride. “Bonic.”
“He also mentioned that if you ever find yourself in Barcelona, he would love to do another scene to the music you composed.”
My jaw drops. “You’ve heard it?”
“Sí,” he states, his eyes beaming with excitement.
I bow lower before him. “It would be my honor to scene with you again.”
When he replies in Catalan, I’m unclear what he’s said.
Anton interprets for him, “He says the honor would be his.”
I’m speechless and bow once more.
Once he leaves us, Anton turns to me. “Have you selected the Dominants you would like to speak to?”
“Only one.”
He smirks, as if amused. “You are a hot commodity. Many here hope to be picked.”
I blush when I answer. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Are you seeking to be collared tonight?”
“I am…but only if it’s the perfect match.”
“That is a tall order, but I respect and support it. About your composition…”
I smile when he mentions it. “Yes?”
“Your music speaks to your profound loss. I encourage you to embrace it. The answers you seek are within.”
A vision of my father burning in the car flashes through my mind, reopening that wound. I shake it off and confess, “I don’t want to revisit that pain.”
“Don’t retreat from it. Honor it for what it is. Pain is a gift that hones our souls.”
I gasp softly, feeling a profound stirring in the center of my chest.
He slaps me on the shoulder, sending tingling pain throughout my body. “Go out in search of your next two conquests. You only have a little time left to find them.”
Although I am reluctant to leave his side, I follow his command and walk around the perimeter of the room, searching for someone who catches my eye.
Gwen comes running up. “I didn’t want to disturb your conversation with Anton.
Some rumors are floating around about Lady Onyx.
Apparently, she applied to be one of the trainers.
And when she wasn’t selected, she went on a rampage, determined to discredit Headmaster Wallace and call for his resignation.
From what I’ve heard, she’s been working behind the scenes with that goal in mind from the first day. ”
I mutter, “So that’s why Beef—” I quickly correct myself. “I mean…Nash was gunning for me.”
“Yeah, he was just cog in her plan. She was threatening to destroy Headmaster Wallace’s career if he didn’t step down.
She also planned to replace him. So, she was using you to blackmail the Headmaster by sharing fabricated stories of misconduct, and she was using Nash for intel.
That bitch was targeting you the whole time. ”
I’m left shocked. I had no idea that things were that bad. I can only imagine the intense pressure Headmaster Wallace must have been under. “I’m so grateful she failed!”
“Crazy, right?”
I just shake my head, stunned by the news.
“So, have you picked out any other guys to interview?” she asks, abruptly changing the subject.
“Not yet.”
“You don’t have a lot of time, Soph.”
“That’s what Anton was telling me.”
“Anyone catch your eye?”
I moan in frustration. “I don’t know.”
“Well, get moving, sister!” she says, pushing me forward. “And find two more.”