Page 205 of Harley & Her Ferals

Agitatedly, he paces from one side of the room to the other.

Concerned, I watch him.

“You mean to say that from the very beginning youallowedyourself to be stalked and kidnapped by Vinnie,” Laurent waves his hands around in outrage, “in order to rescue me? Are you crazy?”

“I’ve been called worse.”

I stare at Harbinger. “Self-destructive.”

“Worse still.”

“Reckless.” Feral pushes River off his lap, before pouncing on Harbinger, who sucks in a pained breath. Feral pins him down by the throat. His eyes blaze. “Stupid.”

“Worse,” Harbinger gasps.

I gently encircle Harbinger’s wrapped wrist, which is fractured. “Look what Vinnie did to you. He had youchained. You could have died many times over on this mission.”

“Could.” Harbinger winks. “But didn’t.”

Feral is careful not to put his weight on Harbinger but he straddles him, holding him firmly in place like he no longer trusts that Harbinger won’t leap up and do something impulsive at any moment.

It’s not unlikely.

I know how much of a thrill seeker Harbinger is. I’ve raced him.

Laurent growls loudly enough to make the rest of us still.

Harbinger looks at me like I’ll help him.

He’s on his own.

Being a member of the resistance is one thing. Harbinger deliberately came to the Underworld on a mission to save Laurent without any backup, however, relying purely on his skill, wits, and charm.

It’s worked…but look at the cost.

I’m used to being around fighters, but Harbinger is beaten worse than Feral ever has been.

I can’t understand the trauma that Harbinger has been through.

Yet he’s been courting death. And I’m going to protect him from that now, however I can.

“You. Matter. Too,” Feral says struggling to say each word clearly.

This matters to him.

By the way that Harbinger turns away his head, he doesn’t accept it.

Laurent wraps his hand in Harbinger’s hair, forcing him to look into his blazing eyes. “Youdomatter. Did you expect me to be happy that the man I’ve fallen in love with would take such risks for me? I already knew that you’d been secretly protecting me and the rest of the pack from the moment that you met us. I’ve witnessed your kindness to other Betas. You’re a good man. But you’re careless with yourself every time. You have a brother and sister waiting for you to return home. You have three people in this room who you’ve promised to never leave. From now on, if you can’t remember that your pain matters for yourself, remember that it hurtsus.”

Harbinger looks devastated.

Then he nods. “I promise, Rook.”

River meets Harbinger’s gaze.

“My parents were murdered in front of me,” River says, quietly. I know how hard it is for him to talk about this. I admire that he is in order to help Harbinger. “For years, I felt like every strike of the whip from Allegra could somehow drive that memory from my head.” Harbinger jolts, as if in recognition. “If others tell you that your life isn’t worth anything, it’s easy to accept that. But it takes courage to stand up and act like your lifeisworth as much as anyone else’s. And yours is, amore mio. I don’t mean for our sakes, but simply for who you are and that’s an incredible Alpha.Our hero.”

Harbinger tries to laugh, but it sounds wet like he’s holding back tears. “Stop it, or I’m going to blush.”

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