Page 150 of Harley & Her Ferals

So far, Dad has only allowed me to bond with River.

I struggle up to meet Dad’s eye. “I’m making my choice now. I want to bond with Feral.”

Dad’s hands clench at his sides. “I can bring you as many Alphas to rut you as you need. The entire fighters dorm…”

“I want Feral,” I reply, more firmly.

“His rut will be intense as well,” River explains, “as he hasn’t been allowed to experience one before. I’ll need to work hard to keep Fer under control. Well, that may not be possible. But I will keep you all hydrated, fed, and safe. His high sex drive will be a good thing, since the next twenty-four hours Harley will also be lost to an extreme heat. They’ll match.”

“Bond with that beast then. But he’ll still fight in the NPH,” Dad warns.

“Heartless,” Laurent hisses.

And my heart? I don’t know how to feel.

Yet I’m still shaking both from the fever and fear.

I’m going to be able to bond with River and Feral.

If Feral dies, however, then my bond will be shattered. Having seen Mom die from a broken bond, I’ve had nightmares about what it must have felt like for her.

What would it be like to experience Shattered Bond Syndrome, from the death of your bonds?

Only Omegas suffer it, but I hear that it’s like dying as well.

Yet I’d face my worse fear in order to bond with Feral.

I’d face anything for him.

Plus, if I die tonight, then I need him to be by my side. I need all my pack to be with me in my nest for one final time.

“Come with me, tesoruccio.” Dad strides to the bed, snatching Laurent’s arm. “A lovely little thing like you would be torn to pieces caught in the rut with an animal like Feral. I’ll take you to my room for your own safety.”

His room…?

Laurent and I both tense at the same time.

“I’m more concerned with your daughter’s safety.” Laurent replies coldly. He tries to shake his arm free but can’t. “She needs another Omega’s supportive presence. One who has experienced a heat before. Will an Omega bond help save her as well?”

“Yes,” River replies, hurriedly.

I don’t know if River is telling the truth, or if he’s getting the same creepy vibe from the possessive way that Dad is holding onto Laurent.

“Sweet Thorn,” I manage to say, even though words are becoming hard for me, “I want to bond with you. But what happens if I don’t make it through the night? You’ll feel it like a Shattered Bond, and those can kill.”

Finally, Laurent manages to prise Dad’s fingers off his arm.

He looks down into my face.

His gray eyes are fierce and determined. “Then at least we will have had this heat together as a bonded pair. And if at the end of it we die together, then I’ll die the happiest Omega in the world.”

I purr, nuzzling against him.

“Idiot Omegas,” Dad mutters.

Suddenly, savage growling bursts from the doorway, along with loud knocking.

Dad casually pulls out his gun from his holster and marches to the door, wrenching it open.

---