Page 44 of Juliet & Her Romeos

Ariana must really want her ass kicked.

To my shock, Katerina only drops the manual to the floor with a bang. “Someone who doesn’t want to blaze like a butterfly once across the stage, only to in their moment of greatest beauty and triumph, know that they’ll never dance again.”

I draw in a shaky breath.

Ambrose wouldn’t let me dance?Ever again?

Ariana pales.

The atmosphere in the studio is tense and fearful.

“Is it still worth it?” Katerina quirks her brow. “To become the principal after so many the years of hard work, dedication, and pain? Then lose that position within the same night?”

Ariana opens her mouth and then closes it, finally speechless.

Except, it is worth it for me.

If I can find a safe pack for Swan and me, which means no more beatings for either of us, then I’d give up anything.

It’ll be agony, but I’ll do it.

Because the alternative is that Swan will be bonded to Dimitri.

Plus, once I’m free of the academy, I can search for Mom and free her too.

If I have to sacrifice part of my soul by not dancing, then I will.

Katerina looks down at her hands. “My bonded Chief Alpha invoked Ballet Bonding Night. Well, it was my home country’s version of it. The Beta was…mesmerizing. I’ve never seen anyone dance like him, before or since. His performance was spectacular, and he wept when my Chief Alpha gave him that rose because he knew what it meant. He lived for his dancing. I remember thinking,I’ve just watched this man die.”

Shit, is she about to cry?

My muscles cramp. I grip harder onto the barre.

Katerina’s voice is unusually quiet and intense. “I ran a year later because I couldn’t watchhis sufferingany longer. I took Dimitri with me because he was only a toddler, even if I hated him because he reminded me so much of his Alpha dad. Look around you at the roses on the walls and embroidered onto your costumes. Roses have thorns. They’ll make you bleed. Pack and love are both illusions. Dancing hurts. It’s hard. But it won’t break you. On the other hand, being bonded with a pack will.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Romeo Ballet Academy, Sanctum

Ishiver, pulling my long, black coat around myself. The coat is too thin to keep me warm over my leotard and tights, when I’m standing freezing my ass off outside the academy.

The cold seeps through my shabby shoes, turning my toes to ice.

The wind bites my cheeks. My nose is stuffy and red.

The air smells crisp. It’s strange, after being stuck inside for weeks in the stuffy atmosphere of the dorms and dance studios.

The winter sun struggles to escape through the heavy snow clouds. It glitters over the icy courtyard in front of the Romeo Ballet Academy. The courtyard is surrounded by high stone walls, which are topped with snow like icing.

I stare longingly up at the castle-like academy.

Glistening steps are flanked by gray stone columns, which are carved with entwining roses. The sweeping steps lead up to the intimidatingly large front door.

Warm, golden light spills out of the barred windows.

I wish that I could be snugly inside right now.

“It’s been two days.” I rub my arms briskly to get the warmth back into them. “How can all the practice rooms be booked again?”

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