Page 4 of 3013: Wonderland

“I said he’s going to get tired of you. As soon as he gets you pregnant and you stop dancing for him, he won’t want you anymore.”

Juliet wanted to laugh. She could only be so lucky.

“That’s what happened to me as soon as I injured my ankle.”

It was petty as fuck of her, but Juliet couldn’t stop herself from blinking innocently and saying, “But he didn’t bond with you.”

Beatrice’s smile turned into a look of pure hatred. “So, what? As soon as you give him the kid he’s always wanted, he won’t need you anymore,” she hissed. “Then, he’ll find a new ballerina to replace you. A younger, prettier dancer who he can enjoy training. He loves that part the most.”

That thought made Juliet’s blood run cold.

She’d always figured she was his first sick obsession, but Beatrice had dropped several hints to make her start believing otherwise. If James had done it to others, Juliet knew something really bad had happened to them.

“You just wait and see,” Beatrice said haughtily, then she huffed out an impatient breath and glanced down at her wrist unit. “I don’t know why this is taking so damn long. What’sthe point of making an appointment if they don’t stick to the schedule?”

When a hand landed on Juliet’s shoulder, she flinched. She automatically knew who was touching her without looking. The touch was familiar, as was the scent of his cologne. She glanced over at him anyway because that’s what he expected. He demanded her attention on him at all times. It didn’t matter if they were alone or out in public.

He was supposed to be the center of her world.

James smiled at her, but it didn’t reach his eyes. It rarely ever did. “There you are. I thought you would be done by now.” His smile dimmed as he glanced around the crowded room. “It’s really crowded in here.”

“They’re running behind,” Beatrice announced unhelpfully. “But what do you expect when they have a bunch of Krytos and Helios helping run things?”

Juliet tried to hide her wince when his hand tightened on her shoulder to the point of pain. Clearly, he hadn’t been expecting that and didn’t like it one bit.

“This is taking too long,” he murmured. “Perhaps we should just make another appointment when it isn’t so crowded.”

Even though he was talking to himself more than to them, Beatrice chimed in. “We should be called soon. Since we are both scheduled to get the cure today, we might as well stay. Juliet was just complaining about getting the injection again, so if we have to reschedule, she might put up a fuss.”

“Is that so?” James’ hand squeezed her shoulder in a punishing grip, and she fought the urge to recoil.

“I simply said I was nervous,” she murmured placatingly. He knew she didn’t like getting shots, so she shouldn’t have to explain that part of things. Still, she wasn’t about to let Beatrice get away with lying. “You know I don’t like needles.”

“That’s true. I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should have considered that before I made the appointment.” His hand slid down her arm and grabbed hold of hers. “Let’s go. We can do this another day.”

A flood of panic swept through her as he dragged her out of line. Her heart began to pound frantically in her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She couldn’t go back with him. It felt like she would die if he got her out of the building.

Hope surged through her when she saw Emma and her mate were now standing close by, their expressions hard and determined. She barely choked back a sob when she noticed the Dragon Warrior standing next to them. Jade Vyper was definitely hard to miss. She was a gorgeous female with flowing purple hair and glowing green eyes, and the power emanating from her was enough to make everyone aware that there was an apex predator in their midst.

Taking her chance, Juliet jerked her hand away from James and shoved Beatrice hard enough to topple the startled woman over.

“I need sanctuary!” she screamed as loud as she could.

She braced herself for the pain of the shock collar deploying, but it didn’t happen. Reaching up to her throat, a sob of relief escaped when she felt nothing around her neck.

“What the fuck are you doing?” James hissed.

A moment later, he let out a cry of pain as his body dropped to the floor. Somehow, the shock collar Juliet had been wearing had gotten transferred to his own neck. Beatrice started to sob as she crawled toward James, but she was halted when Jade stalked forward and stepped between them.

The entire waiting room had gone completely quiet. Everyone might not understand exactly what was happening, but no one in their right mind wanted to challenge a pissed-offDragon Warrior. And it was pretty damn clear Jade was angry by the way she bared her fangs in a fierce snarl.

“You tried to shock her,” she growled in accusation. “You pitiful excuse for a human.”

Beatrice glanced down at the small controller still clasped in her hand. She stared at it as if she had never seen it before, but it was too late to deny it. She let out a shriek of pain when Jade stepped on her hand with a booted foot, breaking bones and the controller with a satisfying crunch. The Dragon Warrior sighed and waved a hand, knocking the screaming woman unconscious.

“Pathetic.”

“As is this one,” Rogan Adaro announced as he and his brother suddenly appeared next to their mate.