Page 213 of Juliet & Her Romeos

This is the heart of the ballet, which I’ve long imagined performing.

The one where the dancers break from the cages of both companies and join together.

It’s taken the blood of the principals to heal the feud. But now, change is coming.

Our world will never be the same again.

The dancers pirouette and spin, freed at last.

Mary pulls Thiago to his feet and into the dance as well.

When the music bursts into a jubilant key, both packs gently lift Swan and me onto their shoulders, rising us toward the heavens.

Two new stars are born beside the moon.

Then as the curtains begin to close, the audience burst into wild applause and a standing ovation.

Joy soars through my bond from every single one of my fated mates.

I am reborn.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Romeo Ballet Academy, Sanctum

“Are you scared of the storm?” Benedict pulls me closer against his side, shielding me with his body against the driving rain. “Do you need my music to help again?”

I angle my face skyward, allowing the rain to lash my cheeks. “Not anymore.”

Storm clouds obscure the moon and stars in the night sky, as Benedict and I stand to the side of the high, iron gates of the Romeo Ballet Academy.

It’s late.

The performance is over.

News of our feud being dramatically ended has hit the headlines. And now, it’s time to finish this.

Benedict holds me against his warm body under his sweeping coat.

I can’t get used to being on this side of the gates, on the snowy, forested road that leads down the steep mountain.

Free.

For four years, I was terrified that I’d be sent into exile, if I took a step outside these gates just like happened to Felix.

Except, that was a lie.

Felix was already dead.

My expression hardens. “I have my pack with me. Now, I’ll never be frightened of the storm that took my Alpha and Omega parents from me. I can face that fear tonight because the woman who took my Beta mom is still alive. And the thunder is like my parents howling out for fucking justice.”

I ball my hands into fists.

“Then they’re going to get it.” Swan pulls the hood of his gray, woolen coat over his head against the rain.

Ambrose and Vito are huddled together next to us, talking in hushed tones to Silvanus. They’re drenched but don’t appear to notice it.

Only a week ago, I’d never have imagined that my cousin would have been standing and talking so intently with Ambrose, his rival, without one of them kicking the other’s ass.

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