Page 14 of Juliet & Her Romeos

Dimitri growls, slamming Swan up and then down against the piano.

Swan winces.

“Aren’t you grateful?” Dimitri demands.

“For beating my ass?”

“For giving a nobody like you a chance.” Dimitri finally releases his hold on Swan’s throat in frustration, taking a step back. Swan raises a shaky hand, massaging over the sore skin of his neck. Then he pushes himself to his feet. “I’ve stopped the other Betas from bullying you. Highlighted your talent. Nurtured it.”

“Ehm, thanks…?”

To my shock, Dimitri slaps Swan hard enough to knock him off his feet.

My eyes flash with rage, as Swan hits the floor next to me with a crack.

When Swan holds his hand over his swollen cheek, I purr to comfort him. I soothe him with a burst of comforting pheromones, at the same time as I lie over him, protecting him with my body.

I may not be able to fight a giant of an Alpha. But I can shield my Beta.

I am his Ash Queen, after all.

Swan curls to look up at me. His sharp cheekbone is already bruising. My purr deepens, as I trace my finger across it.

“It’s okay,” he promises, “it doesn’t hurt.”

He always says that.

It’s a lie.

Then his silver eyes become molten.

He presses his forehead against mine, whispering too softly for Dimitri to hear, “I don’t regret it.”

He means the kiss.

“Nor do I, Feathers,” I mouth back.

Dimitri is panting hard like he’s the one who’s been struck. “Swan, I didn’t mean to…you made me do that. I only correct out of love.”

Love, right.

Swan’s expression hardens.

He doesn’t reply.

Dimitri crosses his arms, pacing. “Most of the Betas here are from elite families. They’ve been sent to the Romeo Ballet Academy for generations to become students and join our company. Their Head Alphas send the second Beta in the family. It’s tradition. But you…? Have you forgotten that you’re merelythe poor servant of a mafia family?” I hate the way that Swan’s cheeks flush with shame. “You may be the most talented but that would have meant nothing, ifIhadn’t given you a chance. Who made you a soloist, huh? Who pushed you to have the best parts to showcase you? Now, stand up and thank me, sincerely this time.”

I shake my head, panicked.

Swan strokes my hair, however, giving me a reassuring smile. “He’s right.”

I try to cling to him, but Swan disentangles his long limbs from me and pushes himself to his feet.

Swan meets Dimitri’s gaze with an earnestness that I’m not expecting. “Thank you.”

It surprises Dimitri as much as me, bleeding away the last of his anger. His coffee scent no longer smells bitter and burned.

“Good.” Dimitri studies Swan. “I don’t want my most talented dancer to lose his way. I put you on the stage and I can take you off it.”

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