Page 24 of Harley & Her Ferals

He knocks the barrel of the gun roughly on Lionzio’s cheek, before strolling back to his throne-like seat at the head of the table and throwing himself down in it, as if he hasn’t just threatened to shoot his son.

He hurls the gun onto the table with a clatter.

Lionzio’s shoulders slump. He rests his head in his hands.

I wish that I could hug him.

“Why aren’t you eating like your sister?” Dad smiles at Allegra. “I like to see your hearty appetite. You’re such a good Omega, when I’m surrounded by this bad Alpha and bad Omega.”

I growl, before I know that I’m doing it.

“Harley.” Lionzio kicks me in panic under the table.

I’m dead.

To my surprise, Dad only laughs. “You’re even feistier than normal. Don’t look like I’m going to shoot your sister, Lionzio. Look, I’m just stressed at the moment. You know how I am, when I’m under pressure close to the final match of the Championship. I didn’t really hurt a strong boy like you, did I? We were merely playing a game. How about we take a couple of days off after the Championship is over and spend them together? We haven’t had a holiday together just as Alphas before. You’d like that, wouldn’t you? ”

Fucking gaslighter.

Lionzio gives a tentative nod.

“Good.” Dad claps his hands together, before snatching a slice of toast and beginning to butter it like everything is settled. “Now, tell me about the projects that you’re in charge of. Is everything completed?”

Lionzio gives a tired nod. “The new race track for the bikers is finished. The school has been restocked with supplies, and the new playground will be finished by the end of the month.”

“Excellent.”

Dad is feared and worshiped in equal measure because he’s not only a tyrant but one who pretends to be a philanthropist.

“Tyrants throughout history, from the Incas to Napoleon, have held onto power by winning hearts and minds.” River paced in front of Feral and me in tutor mode, during one of our nightly lessons, looking hot as fuck with his glasses pushed onto his nose.Please say that he’d want to try professor and student roleplay someday.“Like your Dad’s smart enough to do. He hands out beers after each fight, gives sweets to the kids, and provides healthcare, well, to the Alphas. He does just enough to hold onto his power. The masses don’t rise up in revolution, bella, because they’ll suffer a small amount of pain for security. They won’t risk it for the suffering few. We would but then, we’re amazing.”

“Promise me that you’re not teaching this same lesson to my brother because I don’t think that he’s quite ready to hear this subversive truth,” I replied. “He’s still loyal.”

I glance at Lionzio, seeing how shaken he is at the same time that he’s pretending not to be.

Dad taunted and played with him, making him bark to prove that he’s loyal.

I wish that he wasn’t.

What will I need to do to get my brother on my side against Dad?

“Any requests for the feast at the end of the Championship?” Lionzio asks, slipping out his phone to make notes.

“It will need to be spectacular,” Dad replies. I know that Dad means anorgy, where both beer and Omegas are on tap for the VIPs who attend the fight. “I have some ideas. I’m considering ordering Vinnie to kidnap the pop idol, Jin, to perform. I may keep him as my new bonded Beta.”

I startle.

Jin is the biggest singer in America. The only larger Beta idol is Taylor Swift.

Is there anyone who doesn’t have a crush on Jin, the gorgeous Beta with the heaven sent but sinful voice?

I feel a connection to him and his music. Aren’t Feral and I entertainers like Jin?

Jin gives up his voice, while we give up our pain.

Is Jin trapped the same as we are?

Jin smiles and dances on the stage, but then, Feral and I must appear to dance equally willingly aroundourstage, the octagon.

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