Page 63 of Juliet & Her Romeos

Behind me, Swan claps.

To my horror, however, the male Omega startles violently. His forest green eyes snap open, wide and panicked. He flails his arms but can’t catch himself, before he tumbles backward off the stool.

I wince at the crack, as he hits the wooden floor.

“Fuck,” Swan cusses, uncrossing his arms and rushing forward.

The male Omega’s gaze is dazed. He cradles the back of his head that he caught on the floor.

Have I just given him concussion?

Way to go, Juliet. Great first impression.

The perfect meet-cute.

My cheeks flame.

“Shit, I didn’t mean to…” I hold out my hand to help him up.

The male Omega flinches.

“JuJu.” Swan squeezes my shoulder, shaking his head.

I know what he means.

Don’t touch. Don’t get too close.

I take a step back to give the male Omega space.

He lets out a relieved breath. His shoulders become less stiff with anxiety.

Occasionally, a Beta will enter the academy who acts like this.

They’ll flinch from touch or easily startle.

I didn’t understand at first, but Swan always spends more time with them, gentle and understanding.

Swan later explained to me that they were the ones who’d been traumatized by their packs, and perhaps, being sent to the academy to create a new found family would actually be safer for them.

It’s a sad thought that Romeo Ballet Company is more of a safe space than where they came from.

I wish that I could reform the company so that it truly could be safe.

Perhaps, if I win Ambrose as mine on Friday, then I can also convince the CEO to change the way that the academy is run.

After all, I always aim high.

The male Omega pulls his knees up to his chest and wraps his arms around them. His waterfall of brunet curls fall over his face, but through it, his eyes that are bright with intelligence peek at me.

But he never looks me directly in the eye.

He fidgets with the edges of his suit jacket, stroking over the velvet like it’s soothing him.

“You’re not meant to be here.” The man’s voice is educated, English, and honeyed.

My lips part in shock. I could fall into the man’s voice forever.

Next to me, Swan lets out an involuntary growl. I know that he’s affected too.

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