Page 112 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I stroke my hand though the toy fox’s soft tail, before brushing my fingers through Benedict’s hair. They’re both so soft that I shiver.

Then I lean to capture Benedict’s lips, and he purrs into the kiss.

When I draw back, I whisper. “I should call youmy Foxy. You’re as silky, soft, and sly as one.”

“Sly?” There’s a grin, which is as mischievous as one of Swan’s, lurking on the edges of Benedict’s lips.

“Uh-huh.” I get the definite feeling that I’m right, despite the amount of times that Benedict claims his innocence.

I kiss him again because it feels like a huge fucking privilege that I can.

He kisses me back, as ifhefeels that he’s the one who’s privileged to be touching me.

There’s more to this Omega than meets the eye.

A lot more.

“You smell delicious.” Benedict rests his forehead against mine but then, his eyes crinkle with concern. “You’re hot.”

“Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me? Your forehead is too hot. Are you going into heat? Should I get the Alphas?”

Sadness washes over me, before I jangle my Rej bracelet. “I’m wearing this for a reason. I’m a Non-Heat.”

Benedict jangles his back, as if to casually declare twinsies. “So am I. Also, defective. Amby says that the whole academy are his pack. That they’re our family now. So, I no longer cry at night like I used to about not having my own children. We’ve fostered literally hundreds of them in the academy.”

I stare at him.

Is he serious?

Swan and I thought of the kids in the academy in the same way. We looked after and protected them, as if they were our little brothers and sisters.

But why would the billionaire owners foster them? That’s never been the tradition.

“Then why won’t Amby bond with me?” I demand.

“He told me that he’s making sure that the choice is yours. He won’t force anyone, especially from a rival pack. He hasn’t forgotten the feud.”

The choice is mine…?

When has the choice ever been mine?

My heart sinks because of course Ambrose hasn’t forgotten that I’m a Cinders.

I lick my dry lips. “I choose all of you. The Romeos. This pack.”

“Then get to know us. Spend these two weeks, fourteen days, three hundred and thirty six hours, twenty thousand—"

“I get the idea.” I kiss Benedict’s cheek. “I can’t wait, Foxy. But Swan and I danced our asses off to be sure that Amby would bond with us. Amby, however, is going to let this pack be broken apart.”

Benedict’s expression darkens, before he twists me in a sudden move that makes me gasp. Now we’re lying side by side.His gleaming eyes meet mine for a brief moment and then dart away.

It feels like a blessing, every time that Benedict looks at me like that. The effort it takes him makes it more precious.

“Ambrose won’t.” Benedict’s strong jaw clenches. “He’s driven to save people. He saved me.”

I cock my head. “Is that how he got his scar?”