Page 152 of Puck & Her Blades

Cygnus lets go of my hand and drops to his knees next to Lark in solidarity, patting him on the back.

Lark is stiff with tension.

“Why are you here?” Roarke demands.

“I want to be certain that my pack are put in their place like they need to be.” Sydney meets my gaze, smugly. Bitch. I knew that our meeting at the lake would come back to bite me in the ass. “This game will change everything for the team. The finances will be transformed, and we need that like every team right now. But I want to know that afterward, win or lose, you’ll play your parts in front of the press and with the sponsors that I have lined up. I need to know—”

“That we’ll be your puppets…?” Zev suggests.

“You are my puppets,” she replies. “I want to be certain, however, that you have the right script.”

Lark reaches to pull at the train on her dress. “I won’t leave Millie by herself any longer. It’s dangerous. Let me get her and bring her here.”

“I told you to shut up.” Sydney raises her arm to backhand Lark.

Fuck this.

Growling, I launch myself at Sydney.

Taken by surprise, she doesn’t react, as I drive her away from Lark.

Sydney stumbles, tumbling over onto her ass, and I fall on top of her, pinning her hands above her head.

“What the hell are you doing? Are you feral?” Roarke storms toward me. “Control your Omega, son.”

Jackson blocks Roarke. “She doesn’t need controlling. None of us do. In fact, I deeply respect that Puck fights her own battles.”

Roarke gapes at him. “What?”

Asher slips the puck back into his pocket and steps with Zev next to Jackson’s shoulder. “I simply find it hot.”

“Fucking hot,” Zev agrees.

Lark looks shocked but then, he grins. “Thanks. I’ll give Millie a hug from you.”

He picks himself up, smoothing down his suit. His gaze is cold and hard, as he steps over Sydney dismissively, before rushing out of the room.

Sydney appears to shake herself out of her shock and struggles for real. I begin to lose my hold on her, but her dress rips, hanging off on one side.

“You promised not to attack anyone else in this pack.” Cygnus stands. His anguished gaze settles on his sister, who stops struggling again. She looks panicked. “I’ve tried so hard to protect and love you. But you hate Omegas, don’t you? How can I love an Alpha like you? It makes me grateful every day that I’ve found Alphas like Jackson and Zev for Puck and me, who treat us with respect, equality, and love. Because you’re my sister but you never will.”

My eyes prick with tears.

Roarke is looking between his children. “What’s all this about?”

“Nothing,” Sydney hisses.

I don’t let her up. She could force me to, since she’s stronger than me. She seems, paralyzed, however, by Cygnus’ words.

“You see how she treats Lark.” Cygnus glances at his dad with large eyes. “Will you care, if she’s treated me the same?”

For the first time, Roarke’s expression gentles. “Son, you know that I’ve always…how important you were to your mom. I made a promise to care for you and I have. You may not always have appreciated my methods, but I’ve kept you safe.”

Cygnus swallows.

“Don’t.” Sydney is trembling underneath me, and her voice is wavering with fear.

Good.

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