Page 66 of Juliet & Her Romeos

I expected him to be possessive. But then, I notice the way that Swan’s tongue darts to wet his lips, while he assesses Benedict’s sculptured body and slim waist.

I should have known that Benedict would call to Swan’s protective streak. He’s as interested in adding this male Omega to our pack as I am.

Except, that’s impossible, isn’t it?

I steel myself.

Perhaps, it is.

But I can allow myself the fantasy for one night. I’m good at that.

In the quiet of this abandoned practice room, with the moonlight bathing us, the silent forest watching through the glass wall, and endless versions of ourselves reflected back in the mirrors, we can lose ourselves in the dream.

“It’s a fact.” Benedict raps his gold Rolex, which is studded with diamonds like stars. “I was hired to work here as a pianist. I needed to get in some practice before I start tomorrow. I’m meant to be playing here for one hour precisely. Alone.”

“Do you want us to leave?” I offer.

Please say no.

“I’ve never spoken to a female Omega.” Benedict’s sparkling eyes dart to my face and then quickly away. “I don’t want this to stop. This is better than I imagined. You make me feel…” He hesitates like he’s struggling to understand the emotion. “…like my whole body is purring silently inside, my bones, and blood, and every cell.”

I stare at him.

That’s the most romantic thing that an Omega could say to another Omega.

But he says it like it’s scientific fact.

My pheromones burst out involuntarily, and I don’t even care that Swan smirks knowingly.

I’m desperate to nuzzle against Benedict’s neck like Omegas often do when they greet each other to know what he smells like, licking his scent gland.

He must have made an effort to suppress his scent or possibly, like some Omegas, his is fainter because of an issue with his nervous system.

From this distance, I can’t smell him. And that’s making me lean back against Swan desperate for someone to touch me at least.

Swan understands, wrapping his arms around my waist. He strokes my hip. At the same time, he pulls me against his hard body, and the feel of him grounds me.

“Tomorrow, I will be playing for each of the pairs of dancers who are taking part in the contest.” Benedict wanders to the piano, resting his hand on the top tenderly like it’s a lover. “But only two at a time because I don’t like groups.”

“I hear you,” Swan mutters. “I hate class too, or it could be that I simply hate being with Rem…or my instructor.”

“It’s the noise.” Benedict wrinkles his nose. Leaning against the piano he looks like a spread fromAlpha GQ Magazine, showing the stylish Omega at home of the latest Alpha tech celebrity. “Too many people who may shout or…you never know what they’ll do. It’s frightening. Too many scents at once give me migraines. Then people ask questions that they don’t mean or that they don’t actually want an answer to like: How are you? Or, do you think it’ll rain later?”

Swan chuckles. “That weather obsession may be an English thing.”

I bite my lip, however, because now I can guess why Benedict is wearing the Rej bracelet.

Is he neurodivergent?

In my class at high school, there’d been an Omega boy, Mason, who’d had similar responses to large groups. He didn’t meet your eye either, and rarely spoke.

He was also the smartest and kindest boy in the year.

The school called in his parents one term. His parents left the meeting looking grim faced, dragging Mason after them by his arm.

Mason’s head had been ducked and he’d been shaking.

The next day, when he returned to school, the ugly Rej bracelet had been bound by doctors around his wrist for the rest of his life.

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