Page 53 of Harley & Her Ferals

Still, it would be brilliant to find a way for Laurent to have his first taste of freedom and beer to make up for missing that drink, which had meant so much to him, but instead, led to his captivity.

“Corrupt away.” Laurent’s purr is as sinful as Feral’s half-hooded look. I flush, unable to stop imagining what it’d be like to be caught between these two men. “But first, tell me that you have a plot already underway about how to get out of this place.”

Feral and I exchange a glance. “Yeah, we do. But it’s difficult, risky, and not fully worked out yet. First, we need to win the last fight of the season, which is happening tonight. Then I need to convince Dad to name me as his heir over my sister and brother. And after that, most importantly, we need to win the Championship fight —win you.”

Laurent’s eyes light with hope.

I love putting the hope there far more than fear.

“Can you win those matches?” Laurent asks.

“You haven’t seen Feral fight yet,” I reply.

Feral smiles at me proudly, as if to sayor Harley.

“I look forward to it. But…” Laurent draws out the word. “…I propose that we make this an official deal. After all, this is mytight asson the line. I’ve already taken down my mom’s cruel empire. I promise that I can do it again. Ballet or the mafia, it’s all the same at its heart. You teach me what I need to know over these weeks, and I’ll use my skills to bring your plot into focus. I’ll use my mind, if you use your fists and fangs to protect me.”

“We’d have done that anyway,” I reply.

“I still prefer a deal.” Laurent holds his hand out to me, firmly.

Is this the first time that anyone has shaken my hand?

I grin, as Laurent’s slender hand grips mine.

Why does this feel so right?

When Laurent holds his hand out to Feral, Feral licks his lips anxiously.

I know for definite that he’s never seen this gesture before.

Laurent’s expression softens.

His hand is swallowed by Feral’s much larger one, as he grips it, lifting it up and down to show Feral what to do.

Feral catches on and shakes Laurent’s hand hard enough to nearly drag him into the bars.

Feral is going to need to watch his strength around Laurent; he’s not me.

Yet Laurent only looks amused. “Deal.”

Laurent is the first outsider apart from River who hasn’t treated Feral as lesser, been condescending, or else been terrified of him.

“Aren’t you scared of Feral?” I can’t help asking. “He could hand you your ass in a single move.”

“So could you. Am I meant to be scared of both of you?” Laurent enquires, dryly. “My brother is an uber dominant Alpha. He’s a growly grump, but you only need to trulyseehim to know how good Amby’s heart is. I’m used to dominant Alphas. If I don’t have the courage to be around people who could kick my ass, then I wouldn’t talk to many people. I’m guessing that I’d have to hide from pretty much everyone in the Underworld.”

He's right.

Still, it takes a lot of inner strength to be the physically weakest in the room but still have the courage not to be scared.

Most Alphas back away, when Feral growls.

This Omega is special.

“The first part of the escape plan is happening tonight,” I say. “It’s the last fight of the season. I’ve been saving from the prize funds to pay off Feral’s contract. This is my final chance. We must win.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

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