Page 144 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I throw my head back, remembering when we were lying in the cold, barred room at the academy. Together on that hard mattress, we believed that we’d only have the illusion of a fated bond, as Swan lickedROMEOacross my chest.

We’d been playacting our dreams.

Now, we have it for real.

When Swan pulls back, I feel the trail of tears on my skin.

I grab Swan by the shoulders, dragging him into a fierce hug. “I’ll always catch you too.”

“I love you.” Swan returns my hug. “We made it, JuJu. We found our pack.”

I meet Ambrose’s eyes over Swan’s shoulder. “Have we? Have webothfound it?”

I’m bonded, but Swan isn’t.

I’ll fight to my last breath for him to have a proper position within this pack.

Ambrose steadily meets my gaze. “Let me make my intentions plain.”

He picks up the vintage dance bag, before opening it and pulling out two exquisite ballet pointe shoes.

“These were worn by the first principal dancer in the Romeo company, when it was first established. They danced the opening night of the first performance ofRomeo and Juliet.” Ambrose brushes his thumb over the toe. “It’s meant to have been one of the most spectacular performances in history.”

I suck in a sharp breath. Everyone knows about that dance.

It’s legendary.

Swan and I both stare at the shoes in wonder. They’re a piece of dance history.

They’re priceless.

“When I chose to invoke the Ballet Bonding Tradition, it became my right to give these as a bonding gift to the principals I chose.” Ambrose’s gaze slides from me to Swan. “I never intended to give these to anyone because I detest the tradition. But maybe I’m a bad Alpha because now, I don’t regret selecting you. I can’t live without you. Perhaps, I’m selfish. But saving you is worth sacrificing myself and my soul.”

He holds out the ballet shoes, one to me…and one to Swan.

I take mine, holding it like the treasure that it is to my chest.

I can’t believe that I’m touching something so precious.

Swan, however, doesn’t take the shoe. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“Juliet and you are a pair like these shoes,” Ambrose replies. “Accept the bonding gift.”

Swan crosses his arms. “You didn’t bond with me.”

Ambrose’s expression becomes icy. “Take the shoe. You’re ruining our romantic moment.”

“You’re not used to being disobeyed, are you?”

“Observant.”

“Well, get used to it.”

Ambrose grits his teeth. “This is a present.”

“Is it?” Swan’s eyes burn. “It looks more like you chose Juliet and had to take me because I come along with her as the matching pair.”

My heart clenches.

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