Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Sanctum Circuit, Sanctum
“ S ilvanus sounded like he was sure that he could beat you.” I anxiously bite my lip. “I’m not an Omega prize that can be used in a bet between competitive Alphas. Why are you smiling?”
I glare at Ambrose.
Ambrose strokes his hand down the line of a white racing car with fins, rents, and a huge rear wing that makes it look like a swan.
He’s dressed in a one-piece golden race suit with a purple rose emblem sewn onto it, as well as gloves and boots. His helmet rests on the bonnet of the car.
“I’m smiling because this beast is my baby, a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. I haven’t been able to drive her in years.” Ambrose doesn’t look away from the car.
So, we have two babies in the family, a Harley and a Porsche.
I wrinkle my nose against the stink of engine oil.
I didn’t expect to be spending the first day of the new year standing with Vito at the side of an empty racing track.
The sky is blue and cloudless. Sunshine glints over the low body of the car.
The banked circuit meanders in a snaking oval with curves, chicanes, and changes in heights to challenge drivers.
Can Ambrose truly handle a car on a track like this? It’s not the same as in a computer game.
Ambrose isn’t a real racing champion.
He does realize that, right?
“When did you last drive her?” My lips thin. “You can’t drive her with a controller. Why did you agree to this bet? How about we simply convince Silas that I want to be bonded to you?”
“Do you think that he’d believe us?”
I shake my head.
Then I shudder, as dread runs through me.
What if Silvanus wins?
Once, I’d have given anything for the Cinders to have worked out a way to take me back from the Romeos.
Does Silvanus believe that he’s the hero here, rescuing me?
But now, it would feel like being repeatedly stabbed through my Soul Mark.
What happens to an Omega who has been separated from their fated bonds?
Do they die?
I shudder again.
I’m only wearing a long-sleeved, wool lavender dress that matches my eyes. I wish that I’d taken the coat, which Swan pulled out of the closet for me to wear, but the sun looked bright this morning.
I wish more that I’d taken Swan with me. It feels strange that he’s not here.
But Swan and I need to learn independence from each other. We’ve spent years being together, and now, we must find a way to exist apart as well.
Ambrose insisted that the Cinders could be scheming against us, possibly in an attempt to ensure that we don’t win the contest. He didn’t want to risk taking out both principals together to this race.
Swan was a mess, when he knew that Silvanus was trying to part us. He especially didn’t cope that he wasn’t able to be the one to protect me today.
Ambrose placed his hand on Swan’s neck and simply said, “Trust me to protect our Juliet, as I will be trusting you to remain at home and protect our Benedict.”
“Ambrose didn’t have a choice.” Vito shrugs off his leather jacket and slips it over my shoulders. I snuggle into the jacket’s warmth, loving its scent of leather and vanilla. “If the Cinders make a public scandal out of this, it’d ruin the Romeos’ reputation, draw the attention of Olivia and bring her storming back home, and mean that both Ambrose and I would be sent to the Alpha Center.”
My eyes widen.
Shit.
“Then if he could bully you like that, why hasn’t Silas done it?” I demand. “He never held back, when he had a chance to hurt you before.”
Ambrose’s smile fades. “Smart Omega. Bec and I discussed this last night. I thought that the Cinders had a deal for you to be under the Romeo’s guardianship, but clearly, they’re rescinding that. If Silas wants this race, then it’s because he plans to do more than take you back and send me for a brief stint in the Alpha Center. He’s going to offer high stakes.”
Panic slams through me.
I rush toward Ambrose, grabbing him by the front of his suit. “Then don’t race.”
“I won’t lose you.” Ambrose’s jaw clenches. “And the only way to win you, is to win this race. The stakes could be my life, and I’d still race.”
“Who said that you had to race?” Vito swaggers closer. “I’m Jules’ bonded Alpha as well. And no offense, but between us, I’m the one who knows how to ride.”
“A motorcycle.”
Vito smirks. “And illegal street racing. Don’t tell my sister.”
Ambrose arches his brow. “You’re like the Fast and Furious Alphas are you…?”
Vito cocks his head. “Better.”
“Are you suggesting that you take my place?”
“Yes, sir.”
Ambrose draws back from me to stalk toward Vito.
If I was Vito, I’d run.
“Sanctum Circuit is owned by Silvanus’ best friend’s older brother.” Ambrose gestures around at the track. “He allowed the football team to race, while we were in high school. I’m assuming that when I was in England, Silvanus continued to practice. He believes that this is one thing that he can definitely destroy me at.”
Vito crosses his arms. “Were you better than him?”
Ambrose shakes his head. “In high school, I lost every single race.”
To my shock, Vito growls.
He knocks Ambrose back across the rear wing of the car, but I know that Ambrose is allowing him to. Vito wouldn’t be able to move Ambrose anywhere that he didn’t want to go.
“I’m not playing with Jules’ life.” Vito looks close to flying apart. “I’ve only just found my pack, one that I thought I’d never have. We can’t lose her. I have to be the driver.”
Ambrose doesn’t shove Vito back brutally like I’m expecting for challenging him as Chief Alpha.
Instead, he rests his hands on Vito’s shoulders. “I trust that you’re good. I know that I’m better. How about we have a competition? Winner gets to face Silvanus on behalf of the Romeos.”
“Bring it on.”
Ambrose points at the barrier. “We drive at that full speed. Whoever stops closest to it, gets to be the driver.”
Fuck, that’s dangerous.
Do both these men have no sense of self-preservation?
Do they have a death wish?
“No, no, no.” I wave my hands. “How about we toss a coin?”
“Stand over there,” Ambrose orders.
Helplessly, I walk backward, as Ambrose passes his helmet to Vito, before joining me.
“Don’t hit the barrier,” Ambrose calls to Vito like that’s helpful advice.
Vito climbs into the leather seat of the Porsche. “I won’t but I will win.”
Then he spins the car in a squeal of tires and smoke, before backing it up to the far side of the track like he’s a stunt driver.
Ambrose slips his arm around my shoulders. “He’s good.”
I hold my breath.
Then Vito drives at incredible speed toward the barrier.
“Fuck…” I clutch onto Ambrose.
At the last moment, Vito slams on the brakes.
There’s the stink of burning rubber.
My heart is in my mouth.
I rush forward, staring at the way that the nose of the Porsche is stopped only a foot from the barrier.
Vito swings himself out of the Porsche, dragging off his helmet and throwing it to Ambrose, who catches it. “That was fucking amazing. It’s a better buzz than a Saturday night dancing. I’d forgotten how much I love it.”
He’s vibrating with the kick of coming so close to the edge.
I’m simply terrified that Ambrose is about to risk the same thing.
Ambrose strides to Vito, grabbing him by the hair and hauling him into a kiss that’s all clashing teeth and growl.
“You’re a remarkable man, Vito.” Ambrose kisses Vito again, more slowly this time. “I’m proud to call you my bonded Alpha. But I’m still going to kick your ass.”
Vito snorts. “Not a chance.”
“Take our Juliet and watch a master at work.”
Ambrose pushes Vito toward me.
Vito grabs my hand, and together, we stride across the asphalt to give Ambrose room.
Ambrose fits on his helmet, before climbing into the Porsche.
My heart is beating fast.
Ambrose drives the Porsche into position more slowly than Vito did.
“He’s doing his best,” Vito says. “I won’t embarrass him, after I win.”
But then, all of a sudden, the engines roar, and the car speeds towards the barrier at a terrifying speed.
He’s not slowing down.
“He’s going to hit it.” Vito’s eyes widen. “Fuck, why’s he not…?”
Please, let Ambrose stop in time…
Then in a move that’s as breathtaking as any ballet move that I’ve pulled off, at the last moment, the Porsche slides to the side and skids to a stop.
It’s only inches from the barrier.
Smoke rises from the car.
“Oh, fuck.” Vito pulls me by the hand to run back to the car.
Casually, Ambrose opens the Porsche door.
Vito lets go of my hand and drags Ambrose out of the car. “You knothead. I take risks but that was fucking dangerous. Aren’t you scared of dying?”
“I’m only scared of losing my family.” Ambrose pulls off his helmet, smoothing down his hair. “I won.”
“But you’re lucky Swan isn’t here.” I narrow my eyes at Ambrose. “It doesn’t matter that you’re Chief Alpha, if you pulled a stunt like that, then he’d bust your balls.”
“Something to look forward to.” Ambrose’s lips quirk.
“How did you get that awesome at racing?” Vito demands.
“My advantage against Silas is that he thinks I’m still the bullied victim of his hazing, who must act the good Alpha and not fight back. He only knows me as the boy who can’t race.” Ambrose leans against the car. “Once I was sent to England, Mom banned me from playing football. But I was always good at finding loopholes. She didn’t specify that I couldn’t box or race.”
I grin, as hope soars through me.
Ambrose could win this.
I startle at the sound of an engine behind me.
I twist to watch a silver Ferrari roaring down the track.
Ambrose and Vito straighten, standing shoulder by shoulder.
“Over here.” Ambrose holds out his hand to me.
I hurry to join him. His gloved hand closes around mine.
When the Ferrari skids to a stop, I hold my breath.
An Alpha who’s dressed in a silver race suit and helmet with a glass slipper emblem embroidered on it, steps out of the car.
He marches toward us.
He’s tall and athletic. His pheromones are heavy and sour with rage.
Bile rushes up my throat.
The Alpha stops in front of us.
Finally, he pulls off his helmet and blond curls like my own tumble to the man’s shoulders.
Silvanus looks like an angel.
He’s become even more handsome but harder as well. There are shadows beneath his lavender eyes, and his cheekbones are sharper.
“Juliet…” Silvanus meets my gaze, and a whisper of a smile dances across his lips, before he forces it away.
Then he directs his stare at Ambrose, and it becomes hate filled. “You came. I didn’t think that a bitch like you would have the balls to.”
Ambrose lets go of my hand, stepping forward to square off to Silvanus.
Both men are dominant. Their pheromones are rolling off them in waves, strongly enough for me to slump against Vito.
Vito slings his arm around my shoulders to steady me.
The hatred between the two men is like a living thing.
Strangely, they’re so similar underneath that it’s as if they’re hating themselves.
Silvanus is my family. Apart from Nova, he’s the only one I have left who cares about me.
It’s hard that he’s now our rival. I still love my cousin. Most of what he says is a front and a way to protect himself.
I don’t know how to mend the feud between our families.
But I also can’t forget the times that Silvanus stayed up until midnight to help me finish my chores to stop me from getting into trouble.
Silvanus’ gaze darts back to me.
There’s a lifetime of both happy and traumatic memories shared in that look, which no one but us could understand.
We’re connected to each other as well.
Silvanus hurriedly scans me up and down, as if for injuries.
“You Alphaholes had better not have hurt my cousin,” Silvanus warns, “or I’ll rip off your knots.”
“You and what army? You don’t have your little gang of bullies backing you up any longer. You may still be a dumb jock, but this isn’t school.” Ambrose raises his chin like he’s readying to fight. “I’d never hurt Juliet or any Omega.”
“But you would claim her in your twisted bonding tradition,” Silvanus sneers.
Pain flickers across Ambrose’s face. “And I will forever be sorry about that.”
“Silas,” I say, urgently. “I wanted to be bonded to Amby.”
“I understand,” Silvanus says gently like I’m a kidnap victim who may spook. “I get it. He’s made you believe that. But I’m going to save you.”
I feel sick. “Please, listen…”
“He won’t,” Vito whispers.
“Silas is too stubborn. Omegas aren’t heard within your family.” Ambrose voice is cold as ice.
Silvanus flinches, and I do as well.
“Silas,” I try again, “we don’t need to do this. Any of it. Let’s just talk about this. Why are our families even enemies? We could—"
“You Romeos took my aunt, Nova.” Silvanus balls his hands into fists. It’s like he’s lost in a red mist of rage, and all he can see in it is Ambrose, his rival. “Where is she, huh? Fucking give her back. Then you take my cousin captive for years. Do you know what it’s been like living with the knowledge that an Omega from my pack is locked in your dance academy, but I can’t even see her? I don’t know how you threatened my uncle to make that happen, but I’m the Head Alpha now and—”
“ You’re the Head Alpha?” Ambrose asks in surprise.
Silvanus tosses his curls. “Surprised, huh? This dumb jock is wealthier and more influential in this town than you are. And that means I hold the power over you.”
“Your dad died?” I whisper.
Inside, I’m numb.
Jacob was an asshole. He was cruel to Nova and me.
But especially to his own son, Silvanus.
Silvanus’ lips curl up in a way that makes him look more devil than angel. “He fell mysteriously ill. I have the power of attorney.”
“ Mysteriously , huh?” Vito cocks his head. “That sucks.”
“Not for me. Now I’m Head Alpha.” Silvanus bares his teeth in a wicked smile.
Just for a moment, Ambrose’s eyes glitter with admiration at Silvanus’ ruthless ambition, before he catches himself.
Then he regards my cousin, coolly. “Congratulations. But you should understand that Juliet was legally under the Romeo’s guardianship, when she was offered a bonded place.”
“She was working at your fucking academy, bitch.” Silvanus pushes his hair in angry motions behind his ear. “But as an Omega, she’s not the same as the Betas who are there. You crossed the line, when you bonded with her. It was criminal.”
“I consented,” I rush to explain. “The Alphas saved my life, during my heat.”
Silvanus’ expression gentles, as he turns to me again. “They’ve trained you to think that. Soon, they won’t be able to make you obey them again.”
Ambrose’s control shatters.
He launches himself at Silvanus, grabbing him by the neck and driving him backward over the bonnet of his car.
I wince at the bang as Silvanus’ head clangs against the metal. Ambrose holds him down with a strong arm across his throat.
“Juliet makes her own decisions.” Ambrose presses down more firmly on Silvanus’ neck.
“Bullshit,” Silvanus rasps, scrabbling at Ambrose’s arm. “An Omega can be swayed by an Alpha through scent, pheromones, and Alpha Command. She’s a Cinders, and I’m taking her home to our ranch. That’s right, hit me . Then I’ll add assault to your list of crimes. You’re tough out here, now you’re a man. But do you think that you’d survive in the Alpha Center? Would that pretty biker trash who you call your Second Alpha?”
Vito reddens, ducking his head.
Ambrose slaps Silvanus across the face with his open palm with a resounding crack.
Somehow, it’s more insulting than if he’d given him a black eye.
Silvanus’ eyes water. “Asshole.”
“Then cuff me,” Ambrose replies. “Where are the cops?”
Anxious, I glance between the two Alphas.
Ambrose is playing a dangerous game. But then, so is Silvanus.
They’re both bluffing, right?
It’s Silvanus who drops his gaze first. “We don’t need the cops. We used to settle our differences on the track, remember?”
Ambrose gives a curt nod.
He backs up, allowing Silvanus to struggle to his feet.
Silvanus smooths down his curls. “If I report this, then I’ll damage my cousin’s reputation, as much as yours. Let’s settle this privately. How about a race along with a bet? Three laps to decide the winner.”
“What are the stakes?”
“If you win, then I won’t contest your bond. You can take Juliet home with you, along with my blessing as Head Alpha.”
“I agree.”
I swallow.
Silvanus doesn’t know how good a driver Ambrose now is.
He thinks that he’s already beaten him.
I struggle not to allow my feelings to show. Next to me, Vito turns away, and I know that it’s for the same reason.
Ambrose’s face, however, is like a mask.
Clearly, he’s spent years hiding his true emotions.
He even allows his shoulders to slump, hinting at defeated dejection.
Silvanus grins in anticipated triumph, when he sees it. He puffs out his chest.
“But if you lose, Ambrose…” Silvanus’ eyes narrow. His pheromones become stronger. I know that this is the moment he’s about to launch his counter-attack. I can see it like the electric sensation in the air, before a storm hits. “Then Juliet returns to the Cinders. It’s what’s best for her. And I don’t want to see your fucking amber eyed face in America again. You’ll resign as CEO of the Romeos and swear to never work in the dance industry again. You’ll take the next flight out of the country to somewhere that’s an Omegaocracy. It’s poetic justice for a dominant Alpha like you, who imposes his will on Omegas, to have to spend the rest of his life kneeling for them.”
“Silas, no,” I gasp.
So, these are the high stakes that Ambrose guessed all along Silvanus was going to offer.
Ambrose knew that this was an ambush to destroy him and the Romeos but he came here anyway.
Vito twists back to face Silvanus; his jaw is clenched and so are his fists. “You don’t understand a fucking thing about Ambrose.”
Silvanus’ gaze wanders over Vito, assessing. “If you or other pack members will be in danger, once Ambrose is gone, then you can apply to join the Cinders.”
“Fuck off,” Vito barks.
Ambrose stalks toward the Porsche.
“Stand well back behind the barrier,” he orders. “Choose a spot high enough in the stands that you can watch the race. You want to see me win.”
Silvanus laughs. “You’ve never won against me.”
Then he bounds back to his Ferrari, swinging himself into the seat.
“Come on,” Vito mutters, taking my hand. I don’t realize how badly I’m shaking, until he draws me to his chest and the thud of his heart starts to calm me. “Let’s watch how our Alpha kicks this jerk’s ass.”
I nod.
Vito leads me to a gate in the barrier. We climb up the steps, higher into the stands, until we have clear view of the snaking track.
Vito hugs me.
Below, I watch Ambrose’s white car and Silvanus’ silver slowly draw together along the straight of the starting line.
Then suddenly, they burst to life in a roar of engines and smoke, and the race begins.
I bounce on my toes.
“You can do it,” I mutter. “Amby…”
Vito jumps up and down next to me like he’s driving the car himself, hollering encouragement.
He’s thrumming with nerves.
Silvanus is in front.
He takes the corners with dangerous speed.
“One lap.” I hug myself.
Silvanus’ sleek car passes the finishing line comfortably in front of Ambrose.
My eyes smart with tears.
I can’t return to the Cinders.
I’m a Romeo.
It burns in my chest, my Soul Mark, my soul itself.
I’ll fight Silvanus, if he tries to make me.
I’ll run.
Why was Ambrose so certain from the very beginning that he’d win this?
“He’s catching up.” Vito swings me around in his arms in his excitement. “Look, Jules. He’s only fucking catching up.”
Ambrose is close behind Silvanus now.
“He planned to stay behind him on the first lap.” I don’t look away from the game of cat and mouse that’s being played out in front of us. I thought that Silvanus was the cat. I’m realizing that Ambrose was in fact the one with the claws all along. “It’s part of his strategy.”
“Our Chief Alpha has balls of fucking steel,” Vito says, admiringly. “I’d have hit this race with everything that I had right from the start, after how your cousin spoke to us. But then, Silvanus was trying to psyche Ambrose out, as if he was a boxer before a match. Force Ambrose into making a mistake. But he’s playing this cool as ever.”
I hold my breath.
Ambrose is coming up to the final corner of the second lap.
He picks up speed, before finally overtaking Silvanus.
“He’s done it.” I kiss Vito, who kisses me back.
Then we cling to each, too scared to look away, as both cars zoom into the final lap.
At last, Ambrose bursts into flight.
It’s spellbinding.
He’d been holding back.
Now, he finally unleashes himself, aggressively attacking the circuit.
He pulls far ahead of Silvanus, leaving him in his smoke.
It’s like watching a professional racer against an amateur.
He’s going to do it.
“Please, please, please..” I chant.
He’s on the final straight…
Almost at the finish line.
Then Ambrose crosses it, comfortably ahead of Silvanus.
Humiliatingly far ahead of him.
“And the Romeos win!” Vito cheers.
Ambrose has done it: he’s won the race.
Joy and triumph surge through the bond stronger than I’ve felt them before. The feeling is powerful enough that I bet it knocks Benedict and Swan to their knees back in Romeo Hall.
I grin at the thought that they’ll know Ambrose has won, despite not being with us.
Then Vito is kissing me, before he’s pulling me down the steps toward Ambrose, who is climbing out of the car.
Ambrose has won the right to my bond.
Yet I’ve lost my cousin, the only family who still cares about finding my mom. Plus, we’ve made a permanent enemy of him, the new Head Alpha of the Cinders.