Page 1 of Juliet & Her Romeos

CHAPTER ONE

Romeo Ballet Academy, Sanctum

Juliet

“Arethe rumors true that whoever wins the ballet contest will be bonded with the Romeo pack?” My dance partner and Beta best friend, Swan, smiles.

Swan’s silver flecked eyes are bright with joy against his warm brown skin.

He’s the most beautiful dancer in the academy. I’m lucky to have him as my mentor.

Swan has spent the last four years fighting for my right to dance, even though I’m the only Omega ballet dancer in America.

And he’s spent just as long protecting me against the Betas who don’t think that I deserve to have this chance.

“I don’t know if Mr. Ambrose is even back in Virginia,” I reply. “What if it’s only academy gossip? The ancient tradition ofthe Ballet Bonding Night is real. But Mr. Ambrose could be still in England, running his company’s European branch. I mean, hopefully.”

Yet I can’t help the rush of excitement that shoots through me. Nor the strong burst of pheromones.

I flush.

Shit, involuntary pheromones.

Embarrassing.

I shouldn’t want to bond with Ambrose Romeo.

So, why do I?

I’m an Omega. I love being one. And I can’t help that I long for a bonded pack.

I also can’t help the desire to finally have a nest of my own.

An Alpha.

A home.

I know, however, that the last pack in the world I should want to be claimed by is the Romeos.

“Hopefully?” Swan laughs. It’s a beautiful sound, fiery and passionate. “Convincing, JuJu.”

Swan is a force of nature. He’s wild and volatile. A creative genius.

A fucking volcano.

At the academy, we’re constrained by tight schedules. Every minute is ordered from when we wake up at 5 a.m. to curfew at 10 p.m., including mealtimes.

We’re not allowed outside the gates of the academy into the town of Sanctum.

The Dance Master, Miss Katerina, blames the criminal gangs who’ve been kidnapping the prettiest Omegas and Betas.

She says that we’re caged to keep us safe.

I don’t believe her.

Somehow, Swan still manages to break the rules: sneaking out after curfew to steal chocolate for the younger students,holding illegal midnight feasts, and one night that’s gone down in legend, hosting a riotous party with music, dancing, and alcohol stolen from the brutal choreographer who trains the male Betas, Mr. Dimitri’s, private stash.

Swan reappeared from his solitary confinement after that misbehavior with a wink and a swagger.

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