Page 175 of Harley & Her Ferals

The Alphas outside accept without blinking that we would be ordering our Beta around like he’s a servant.

Inside, River is using the ruse to rally the Betas to our side against Dad.

It’s worked.

The Betas would follow River anywhere.

At the same time, River spoke to Romilly to rally the fighters.

It was the best feeling, when River reported that they would follow Feral andmeanywhere.

The pieces are falling into place. But we are not ready to declare checkmate.

If we move against Dad too early, then we’ll ruin everything.

Dad is paranoid about people rebelling against him.

He actively weakens rival packs, as he’s doing with the death matches.

He wipes out entire enemy packs, as he did River’s.

He’d kill all of us.

Dad is brutally good at these games. He’s played them his entire life.

On the other hand, he’s never played against the World Online Chess Champion.

Rook will be devastating in the endgame.

I suck in a sharp breath, as another wave of pain hits through the bond.

“Hang on, Wolf,” I murmur, sending comfort and warmth through the bond.My love.“We’re waiting here for you.”

The pain lessens like somehow Harbinger can feel me too.

I hope that he can.

Please, let him be able to.

The hardest part of the last week has been trying not to arouse Dad’s suspicions. It has meant each of us playing the part of the newly bonded pack.

Particularly, Dad would expect me toenjoymy men as the entitled heir of the Battles would.

Allowing myself to be waited on and pampered, however, hasn’t been difficult.

River has handfed me treats every day, while never once missing laying a tulip on my pillow each morning. His slow tonguings have also been his best act of worship.

Feral made an origami wolf out of silver paper, which River begged from Lionzio.

The silver wolf was pretty like Harbinger.

“Chase.” Feral gently placed the paper wolf onto my palm.

Feral was trying to help me fill the hole in my heart. But I knew that he was missing Harbinger just as much as I was, and making this paper wolf helped him too.

Just like his paper roses.

I blinked away my tears. “Thanks, Fer. I love him. Shall I put him on the nightstand? Then you can see him each day as well.”

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