Page 17 of Juliet & Her Romeos

He’s asking for my permission.

I don’t know what to do.

I can’t give it to him, not when it means sacrificing himself and becoming bonded to a man like Dimitri.

The silence stretches.

Finally, Swan’s expression steels. “I’m honored.”

Horrified, I stare up at him. Yet he’s determinedly looking only at Dimitri.

Dimitri narrows his eyes. “I didn’t hear you.”

Swan clears his throat, struggling to get out the words louder this time.

When he does, they’re snarled like a declaration of war, “I’m honored.”

Dimitri clicks his fingers, pointing at a spot in front of him.

Swan reluctantly pulls back from me. I don’t want to let go of him. It wrecks my heart, when every instinct is to pull him closer.

But I’m not Dimitri. I won’t take anything by force.

Swan swaggers to the spot that Dimitri is pointing impatiently at. “What? No roses? Dinner invite? Chocolates? This is not the night to remember that the other Betas swoon over.”

“It’ll certainly be a night to remember.” Dimitri snatches Swan by the arm. “You’ll be disciplined. You broke three serious rules: out of bed after lights out, unauthorized extra practice, and entering forbidden sections of the academy. Three at once is a record even for you.”

A ball of ice forms in my stomach. I wrap my arms around myself, shivering.

“You’re forgetting the strip poker and vodka incident. I broke at least twelve rules that night.” Swan smirks.

“I’m equally to blame.” I won’t let Swan be punished alone for this. “I made the choice as well.”

“She didn’t. I’ll take her discipline. As her mentor, I’m responsible for her missteps.” Swan’s gaze slides to mine, determined and courageous. Then his expression softens. “Until you bond with me, Mr. Dimitri, I’ll take her punishments. But I want us all to be clear that in secret,I’mher Beta, andshe’smy Omega.”

My heart swells, at the same time as my eyes brim with tears.

Dimitri growls, dragging Swan from the room.

CHAPTER THREE

Romeo Ballet Academy, Sanctum

Isob, rocking on my knees.

How many hours has it been? Why isn’t Swan back yet?

I huddle on the thin mattress of my bed, which is pushed to the far corner of our room.

The bedroom is tiny with a barred window high up on the wall. I can just glimpse the sharp stars in the dark sky.

A dilapidated wardrobe leans against a dresser, which is littered with brushes, bottles of water, and my leotard and tights. Next to it stands a cracked sink and mirror.

Now that Swan and I are soloists, we at least have been awarded a room of our own, rather than needing to sleep together with everyone else in the main dorms.

Swan’s bed is on the opposite side from mine.

Mentors and mentees share dorms or bedrooms because their closeness is what elevates their dancing.

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