Page 210 of Harley & Her Ferals

Harbinger quirks his brow at Laurent. “Impressive guess.”

Laurent shakes his head. “I noticed it from the first time that I saw them together.”

My mouth drops open. “What?”

Laurent gestures between Lionzio and Feral. “Don’t any of youobserve? Lionzio had no reason to treat Fer differently than your sister did but he went out of his way to protect him. In fact, he’s been helping us in a way that’s risked his own ass over and over. He’s been my queen on the chess board, if you’d only taken the time to notice it. Didn’t you watch how he acted, when he thought that Fer could die in the death matches? He was either in love with our Alpha, or they were family. Perhaps, I saw it because I have such a close relationship to my own brother, Amby. I know what it looks like to do anything to protect your brother. I can only imagine what it would feel like to see Amby every day but have to pretend that he was a stranger. The only question iswhy…?”

I remember then.

The way that Lionzio would force Allegra not to shock Feral. How often Lionzio would hang around the attic like he wanted to come in but was stopping himself. The long looks that he’d cast Feral, which I never understood.

How he’d defy Dad by allowing River to bring us extra food and medicine, as well as tutor us secretly at night.

Of course Lionzio knew everything that River did to break the rules for Feral’s sake. He could have stopped it. But he didn’t.

It makes sense now.

So does the way that Lionzio dragged Feral into an awkward hug at the NPH, wishing him luck and apologizing.

It was out of character…but not if he was Feral’s brother.

To my shock, Lionzio drops to his knees.

“Sorry.” Tears trail down Lionzio’s cheeks. “Please, brother… Fuck, I’ve wanted to call you that our entire lives.Brother.May I? Can I…?”

My own eyes smart with tears.

I hate seeing Lionzio in such distress.

At the same time, I hate to think what this will do to Feral.

Can Feral forgive his brother?

Why would Lionzio hide their relationship?

Is he ashamed of Feral? Of the fact that Feral is a fighter, while Lionzio had ambition to become the heir?

If that’s the reason he abandoned his own brother, then I won’t be able to forgive Lionzio.

I’ll kick his ass.

When Feral stalks toward Lionzio, I crouch into a fighting stance, in case I need to launch myself in between them and stop Feral from tearing out his own brother’s throat in his shock.

Instead, Feral falls to his knees and pulls Lionzio into his arms.

Feral’s shoulders shake with silent tears, as he comforts Lionzio.

“I’m sorry,” Lionzio sobs.

The moment is so intimate that it feels wrong to be witnessing it.

Feral has spent his life alone, apart from River and me. We created our own found family.

This month has been the hardest and best of my life because we’ve discovered our soulmate male Omega and new lifelong Alpha.

I feel like I’ve finally found the missing parts of my soul.

What must it be like for Feral to have also found his long lost brother?

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