Page 103 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I narrow my eyes. “You could have sent me a letter or called. How about not ignoring Swan? You were raised alongside him. He thinks you’re friends. He admires you…fuckinglovesyou. He believes that you’re—”

“Fated?” Ambrose quirks his brow. “I know. He can believe any myth that he likes. Whether I love him or not is irrelevant—"

“Not to me and definitely fucking not to Swan.”

“Leaving him behind was as hard as leaving you, does that make it clearer?” Ambrose’s eyes flash. “But I was forbidden to contact anyone in America. It would have put you in danger. Protecting you has been my first priority.”

“In danger?” I stare at the Ambrose’s shuttered expression. Fear spikes through me. “Why were you sent away at the same time that I was held captive?”

“It’s complicated.” He rubs his hand over his scar like it’s irritating him. I don’t think that he knows he’s doing it. “I’m back now because Mom is away in Paris, overseeing the new ballet academy that’s opening there. She’s taken Laurent. The timing is perfect to act, while she’s not here.”

“But she’s still the Head Alpha. What happens when she comes back to America and finds out what you’ve done?”

Ambrose’s expression tightens. “We have two weeks together in Romeo Hall. Then it will be time for the annual Rose vs Slipper Ballet Contest. I want Swan and you up on the stage representing the Romeo company against the Cinders. The winner of the contest will have the prestige and reputation, as well as the rights over the Prima Ballet Theater for the rest of the year. If we win, it’ll be a huge success that may appease Mom. It’s an all or nothing battle. As long as she doesn’t come back before that, we’ll be safe.”

My eyes widen. “You were serious about still allowing us to dance.”

“Of course.”

“Then we’ll win that contest.”

“I believe you. My Omega can do anything that she sets her mind to. She can even stand up to a knothead like Silas in front of an entire football team to save me, her damsel Alpha.”

When Ambrose’s amber eyes glow, making him look more like the dangerous villain in a fairytale than the damsel, I laugh.

But it’s true. I did find the courage to do that and I would again.

“That’s because even then, I knew that you were my Alpha,” I declare. Ambrose’s reminder of my bravery in the past, makes me brave now. His mom may have kept us apart for years, but we’re together today. Ambrose selected me; we’re scent matches.This is the best fucking day of my life. “We have a lot of making up to do for lost time. Why aren’t we kissing?”

“Demanding Omega, aren’t you?” Ambrose lowers his lips, until they’re almost touching mine.

My heart races.

I grab him by the front of his silk dressing gown.

Please, please, please…

I can’t look away from the way that his mouth opens, revealing a glint of sharp canines.

But then to my horror, he pulls away.

“Come back, Alpha,” I growl.

Ambrose’s expression is cool, as he ignores me. I may as well be yanking on a statue. I can’t move him an inch.

He’s too strong.

“First, I need to be certain that you’re the right Omega.” He reaches into the pocket of his dressing gown, pulling out something that catches the light. “I need to be sure that this fits.”

He dangles a necklace between us.

My gaze slowly raises to meet his. “My glass slipper necklace.”

“Lift up your hair.”

Dazed but smiling widely, I pull my long curls out of the way.

“Don’t move. I’ve imagined doing this so many times.” Ambrose carefully does up the necklace around my neck. “It’s my first gift to you. Look at that, it fits. Cinderella, you are my princess.”

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