Page 46 of Juliet & Her Romeos

It’s been sixteen years for Swan.

I turn to scrutinize the open gates more closely.

It’s fucking tempting to take just one step outside them.

One step into freedom.

When freezing, slushy snow slides down the back of my neck, I yelp.

“Don’t even think about it,” Swan snarls, pressing the snowball against my neck.

“Did you just…?” I twist to face Swan. “Jerk.”

Swan’s eyes blaze. “We swore to each other that running away was the one rule that we’d never break.”

“I won’t try to escape,” I promise.

And I won’t.

The last Beta, Felix, who did was caught and sent into exile to the type of country that Katerina told us about.

The type that makes our academy look like a holiday camp.

I snatch the snow from my neck and shove it down the front of Swan’s top in retaliation.

He whines.

Then I turn to run, as he lets out a growl.

A shiver runs down my spine, anticipation mixed in with pleasure, as Swan growls again and chases me.

My pulse is roaring but in the best way.

I only get a couple of strides, before Swan grips my arms and turns me, pulling me hard against his chest.

“Don’t leave me.” Swan’s look is scorching. “We belong to each other.”

I’m desperate to nuzzle him.

Purr.

Fucking kiss him and never stop.

But I can’t.

“Miss Katerina is watching us from the window,” I urgently whisper.

I scan the window on the second floor.

I can only see Katerina’s outline. But the Alpha is unmistakable.

She’s standing still and looking down at the courtyard…at us.

Swan’s mouth twists up at the side, as he bares his teeth. He doesn’t seem able to let go of me.

Instead, he lowers his mouth to my ear. “Then let’s put on a show and at least pretend to be dancing, while I tell you the things that I’d like tolearntonight. After all, we must train hard in all areas.”

My heart speeds up.

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