Page 33 of Harley & Her Ferals

“My soulmate.”

I breathe in River’s refreshing citrus scent of Sicilian lemon, which is as bright and sunny as his smile.

It makes me feel as joyful as the man himself.

As hearing him call me his soulmate, despite the fact that I don’t believe it.

Worriedly, I glance around me to check that the room is still empty. “We need to be careful. This is dangerous. You shouldn’t say things like that out here in the main house.”

“Why not, when it’s true?” River tilts up his chin, defiantly. “Feral and you are my soulmates. That flower is for both of you. I’m not scared of anyone. After what I’ve… Nobody can hurt me worse. What they do to me is nothing.”

Dread churns through my guts.

What does he mean?

I grip River’s hands between mine. “I don’t want to risk you getting into trouble.”

“I’m always in trouble. What’s new? But this time, it would be worth it. Is it true that if you win the Heir Contest, then you can choose your own pack?”

I nod.

River’s expression becomes unexpectedly desperate. “I’ll help you win. Then claim me, will you? If I could bond with you, then I’d suffer anything, l’anima gemella.”

“What does that…?”

River grazes his full lips against mine. “Soulmate.”

I reluctantly reply, “Betas don’t have those.”

“Ido.” River’s hands tighten around mine. “You’re mine, aren’t you? Look into your soul. Ignore your head and the rules. Listen to your soul, bella. Aren’t I yours?”

“Yes,” I breathe. “Please, what do twenty-four red roses mean?”

“They mean:I’m yours.” Then River kisses me for the first time.

His lips are as soft as I always knew that they would be.

He kisses me with a fiery passion. I can feel the heart and soul that he’s convincing me to listen to.

He is mine, and I am his.

This is the truth that we’ve both known and had to hide.

Feral, River, and I are the outcasts whose love for each other has brought us even closer.

It’s been the lightness in the dark of the Underworld.

The only other person who has kissed me before is Feral. It’s so different with River.

Is this his first kiss with anyone?

I melt into River’s kiss, which is tender and playful. His tongue dances against mine, at the same time that he strokes his thumb across the back of my hand.

I moan, thrusting my tongue deeper into his mouth.

He’s an amazing kisser.

Then I hear footfalls. Terror shoots through me.

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