Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Romeo Hall, Sanctum
“ W e’re both bonded,” Swan says like he can’t quite believe it.
He’s smiling lazily, tracing the bites on his neck.
Tremors are still running through him.
I snuggle closer against him. “Forever.”
Swan’s calm contentment flows through the bond. It’s a rare and precious thing.
We’re perched on high stools behind the luxurious marble counter in the kitchen.
The crystal chandelier illuminates the room, along with bright morning light from the domed window. The garden and forest outside are still blanketed in thick snow. The mists have lifted, however, and the clouds have cleared.
I wrinkle my nose at the rich scent of chocolate cherry, which is coiling around the warm kitchen.
Is Vito pumping my own scent into the room?
Once Swan recovered with much petting and licking from Benedict after the bonding, Vito shyly told us that he had a surprise in the kitchen for us.
This truly has been a Christmas of secrets and surprises.
Swan and I pulled on our cozy purple dressing gowns over our pajamas, before padding down the stairs after Vito into the kitchen.
I swing my feet happily, studying the slippers that were one of the Christmas presents from Benedict: fluffy, red, and with a cute fox face at the front, with a tail sticking up at the back.
Next to me, Swan is wearing a matching pair as well.
I’d been prepared to elbow Swan to make sure that he smiled and looked grateful for the slippers in order not to hurt Benedict’s feelings. I shouldn’t have worried, however, because Swan looked like he’d been gifted a treasure.
He clutched the slippers to his chest, before dragging them on, excitedly.
Then he pulled Benedict in just as tightly to his chest, before kissing him and thanking him over and over.
Only then did it truly hit me that Swan has no memory of receiving a Christmas present before.
This Christmas, unwrapping gifts, eating delicious meals, and being chosen as a bonded must be overwhelming for him.
As usual, he’s doing his best to hide it.
When he sees me looking at his slippers, he makes his left foot attack my right one.
I laugh, dodging and then attacking back, until we’re both almost tumbling off the stools. Swan catches me, swinging me around and firmly back onto my seat.
“This is the first time that I regret my sweet honey bee didn’t also buy me fox slippers.” Vito drags out a pile of plates from the gold veined marble cabinets, before pulling forks out of a drawer.
I waggle my feet at Vito. “You can borrow mine.”
Vito looks horrified. “Fuck, no. That’s Alpha abuse.”
I chuckle.
Then I glance at Swan. “How was it when you spoke to your brother?”
I haven’t asked him about it before because he needed time to process it.
Swan’s face lights up. “Link’s awesome. I knew that he would be. He is my brother after all.”
“Is he vain as well?”
“Confident.”
“Cocky.”
“A total badass,” Swan says, proudly. “He’s this don’t mess with my mates, or I’ll tear out your throat style bodyguard.”
“Really?”
“My brother could kick Dimitri’s ass. He told me all these stories about when we were kids. What truly made me smile was that he also kept rambling about his own fated mates . He couldn’t stop. He’s in love with them as much as I love you.”
“That’s great.”
Swan’s expression falls. “He also told me my real name.”
Anxiety spikes through me at the way that Swan’s trembling. “You don’t need to tell me or anyone.”
“I thought that I’d be excited to know,” Swan replies, quietly. “But when Link said it…and it’s a good name…it was like it had nothing to do with me. It felt like he was talking about someone else. That little boy died, the moment that he was dragged to the academy. Then Swan was born. Is it okay, if I don’t tell you? I know that we don’t keep secrets from each other, it’s just that I suffered for the name of Swan. I feel like I’ve earned it. I don’t want to be anyone else.”
I kiss him gently. “This isn’t a secret. You can choose any name you like. It’s yours, my Swan.”
Swan relaxes, kissing me back.
Vito has been studiously pretending not to hear our conversation. He turns to a large cake box, adjusting it.
As soon as Vito turns his back, Swan edges closer to the counter.
I roll my eyes, when I notice that once again, he’s sneakily prising with his nail at one of the amethyst roses, which decorate the counter.
“Thief,” I singsong in a whisper.
Swan stills. “Habit.”
He doesn’t stop working on the gem.
I cough.
Swan lifts his brow. “I’ve been given all this shit. I don’t just take from people like that. I could use this to make something for our Alphas. Amby likes cuff links. What if we found a way to…?”
His logic wouldn’t make sense to most people. But it does to me.
“You don’t need to give us anything,” Vito says without looking around. “You accepting our bond is your gift. We enjoy spoiling you.”
Swan jumps and snatches his hand away from the counter. “What the fuck is that? Eyes in the back of your head or other Alpha shit?”
My pulse races.
Ambrose said there were no rules, but stealing is a law.
Surely, Swan must have found this pack’s limit, even with an Alpha who is as good as Vito.
Swan does that. He expects to be hurt. So, he pushes and pushes, until he is.
Waiting for it to happen, is even more difficult for him.
“Yep,” Vito replies, turning around and leaning against the counter. But he doesn’t make a move to punish Swan. “This is Ambrose’s bitch of a mom’s kitchen. If you fuck it up, Ambrose will likely be the one whose ass is handed to him over it. Do you want that?”
Swan becomes ashen. “Of course not.”
“Then no more messing with shit, right?” Vito’s eyes become hard in a way that I haven’t seen before.
He may not be as powerful as Ambrose, but it’d be a mistake to assume that this man isn’t dangerous.
Swan nods, quickly. “Got it.”
“But if you want to buy something, then simply ask me,” Vito continues. “Ambrose does love cuff links. You don’t need to get him anything, but if you want to, then we can choose him something together, okay?”
Swan tilts up his chin. “I’m not leeching off your money.”
Vito huffs a laugh. “Hell, you sound just like me. I’m independent too. Look, we’re all bonded to a billionaire. Ambrose’s money is yours too now.”
Swan and I exchange a glance.
It hasn’t sunk in for either of us. It’s going to take time.
Vito strolls across the kitchen toward us. He runs his hand awkwardly through his hair.
“Look, I get it.” He glances between Swan and me. “I was raised surrounded by wealth but not having any of it spent on me. When I first took my sister and ran, we lived on the streets. Then Dad extorted protection money from my business for years. He left us in poverty. Often, we were hungry, despite being surrounded by food. It’s been tough. This…” He gestures around the gleaming kitchen. “…isn’t me. But it’s our world now. And we can adjust together. How about you see it as money earned from your hard work in the academy? Plus, gifts don’t need to be expensive. They can be…”
When he breaks off, I grab his hand and yank him closer.
“What’s wrong, Viper?” I ask.
“Ambrose gave you a bonding gift. But I’m your Alpha. I should give you one too but I don’t have a priceless shoe. Now, I’m worried because like I said, I’m not wealthy and I didn’t want to use Ambrose’s money to buy it. I don’t have anything from my family to give you, since Mom’s possessions were burned by Dad.”
I tighten my hold on his hand. “I’ll treasure anything you give us. Is it a kiss?”
I look at Vito with a hopeful expression.
Vito ducks to kiss me.
Swan slips the fox slipper off his elegant foot and weaves it around snake-like. “I’m not Cinderella. Ambrose’s slipper wouldn’t fit me anyway.”
Vito lets go of my hand, before catching Swan’s ankle. Then he hisses in a frighteningly good snake impression, tickling his tongue along the arch of Swan’s foot.
Swan gasps, before he bursts out laughing in shock, falling backward over the counter. “N-n-naughty little s-s-snake. S-s-stop tickling me.”
Vito looks up at Swan through his long, raven hair, before he lowers his mouth to Swan’s foot again like he’s about to sink his fangs into it.
Instead, he kisses it in apology.
My breath catches.
Instantly, I become wet.
Fuck, that’s hot.
Swan’s pupils dilate. “Do that again.”
“Is that an order?” Vito murmurs against the sensitive skin of Swan’s sole.
Swan shivers. “A kinky suggestion.”
“In that case…” Vito gives Swan a long, heated look, before he kisses his foot again.
An Alpha kissing a Beta’s foot…?
Vito is more of a rule breaker than Swan is.
When Vito slowly lets go of Swan’s ankle and raises to his full height again, Swan swallows.
“Where the hell did you come from?” Swan is staring at Vito like he’s truly seeing him for the first time. “I love Amby, but you’re like something from my dreams. In all those years that I’ve been trapped in the academy, did a revolution or something happen in the outside world that I don’t know about? Is there equality now? Wait, are Betas now running things?” Swan’s eyes flame with excitement. “I’d make an incredible President.”
Vito chuckles. “Swan for President. I’d vote for you.” Then he sobers. “Unfortunately, our current President is very much an Alpha, and Alphas are still in charge. In fact, this President is an oppressive knothead. But people are finally fighting back. There’s a new Omega Society who are trying to save abused Omegas. Also, a secret Omega resistance, who are fighting to make changes for all dynamics. The resistance have battled for reforms in politics and institutions, as well as the music, entertainment, and sports worlds.”
He hesitates.
What’s he holding back?
“Why are they secret?” I demand.
“Because you can support Omega rights but you can’t support the Omega resistance. Resistance members are seen as terrorists and outlaws. Ambrose would bust my balls, if he knew that I was talking about this with you.” Vito rubs across the snake tattoo, as if he doesn’t know that he’s doing it. “If you’re caught, the President’s order is that you’re executed.”
“Fuck him,” Swan declares.
Vito looks like he’s trying hard not to laugh. “Hey, I agree. Fuck that guy. But don’t say that in front of anyone else because he’s kind of powerful and in charge.”
“As an Alpha, so are you,” I point out.
“But I run a bakery and not a country. My obsession is also riding a Harley too fast, rather than ordering rebels executed by firing squad.”
When my scent sours with fear, Vito floods the room with calming pheromones in response.
“Don’t worry, I’m a liberal. You both can be as rebellious as you like. You’re safe.” Vito cups my cheek. My shoulders slump in relief. “I believe in equality. My own mom was sold to the Omega Institute by Dad. I watched my best friend grieve because his little brother was torn away from him, while his pack were kept as my one’s servants. I’ve spent my life protecting my Omega sister. Why should the dynamic that we’re born with determine how we’re treated for the rest of our lives?”
“But what does equality mean?” Swan demands.
“Anything that you want it to,” Vito replies, stealing my breath. “I’ll support you in whatever you want to achieve. If you wish to dance as principals, then I’ll make sure that happens on your own terms. If you never want to dance again and have a different dream, then I’ll do whatever you need to make that happen. I’ll always be your chief cheerleader. And privately, if you want me worshiping you on my knees, beautiful Omegas, then I’ll crawl for you.”
I grab Vito by the hair and drag him into a passionate kiss. At the same time, Swan twirls to his feet, clasping his arms around Vito’s waist and holding him between us.
“I never want you to crawl,” Swan whispers hot into his ear. “I want you to fly with us.”
Vito moans, kissing me more deeply.
Then panting, he draws back. “Time for your bonding gift.”
He bounds to the cake box, grabbing it. Then he carries it carefully, however, across the kitchen to the counter.
He places the box down in front of Swan and me.
“You said that you wanted to try chocolate and cherry cake. So, I made this.” Vito removes the lid of the box with a flourish.
He reveals a stunning chocolate cake.
It’s shaped like a beautiful black swan with a glass slipper in front of it. Both are decorated with frosting and glace cherries.
Swan and I gasp in delight.
Fresh cherries surround the cake, as if the swan is swimming on a lake of sweet shadows.
I clap my hands. “It’s amazing. Did you really make this?”
Vito flushes with pride. “I didn’t go to sleep after the heat. I knew that I didn’t have a bonding gift, unlike Ambrose. How can I compete against everything that he offers you? So, I rang my sister for her advice. She told me that you’d appreciate me showing how I feel about you by making you something. I don’t have her skill but…”
I stop Vito’s words with a kiss.
Shit, if he’s not as skilled as his Omega sister, then she must be a genius.
The fact that he cared enough about pleasing us to call his sister makes me purr.
He didn’t sleep, staying up to bake and then to decorate this gorgeous cake. It could have looked like the Leaning Tower of Pisa with messy icing and a handful of cake sprinkles dribbled over it, and I wouldn’t care.
All that matters is that he took the time to make it because he knew that Swan and I would like it.
Because Swan said that he wanted to try chocolate and cherry cake.
Swan is still staring transfixed at the cake. “This is the best thing that anyone has ever made me.”
When Vito breaks my kiss, he’s smiling. Joy washes through the bond.
“You haven’t tasted it yet,” Vito warns with a laugh.
“We’re not eating it,” Swan growls. “It’s too perfect.”
Vito grabs Swan by the shoulders. “I’ll make you another one.”
Swan shakes his head. “This one’s special.”
Vito looks down, biting his lip. “In the Snakes, pack only meant pain. There was no safety. I’ve spent my life running because I never trusted that pack could mean anything but that. After Mom was sold, Candy was raised by my Alpha triplet sisters. Sometimes, they could be kind to her. But they hated me. They only saw me as a rival. They beat me down to make sure that I didn’t become dominant enough to challenge their place.”
“I’m going to kick their asses,” I mutter.
Vito’s lips twitch. “They’re mafia enforcers, illegal fighting ring champions, and fucking psychopaths. But I guess that they may fear a tiny, cute Omega.”
“Hey,” I protest, poking his side.
“She’ll also be helped by me.” Swan’s expression is thunderous. “I don’t care if they’re champion fighters. They hurt our Alpha.”
Vito glows at Vito’s our Alpha . “Still, you’re missing the psychopath part. Dad used the triplets as a threat and a punishment. He’d give me to them for days to play with. I was a toy to them. Ludovica was the worst because she called me her precious baby brother , even as she broke my bones. I spent years convincing Candy that the glimpses she caught of their sessions, was us only playing. It didn’t matter how bruised I was, I’d insist that what they did to me didn’t hurt. ”
Swan exchanges an understanding glance with Vito, before he pulls him into a hug.
The men are similar in many ways, even in the way that they shield others from their pain.
“You don’t need to run anymore,” Swan promises. “You’ve found your fated bonds. You’re safe. You’re no one’s toy.”
“Isn’t everybody someone’s toy?” Vito’s eyes darken. “I trust the Romeo pack, when I never thought that I could trust myself to bond. But we’re all dolls, manipulated by our upbringings, laws, and society. Or simply, by the secrets of our pasts. I know what it’s like to have my control stripped from me. I was my sisters’ plaything. But to truly be free, there’s always a cost.”