Page 63 of Harley & Her Ferals

CHAPTER EIGHT

River’s Clinic, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld

“Why do you take such risks, bella? Look at the ugly bruises around your beautiful neck.” River’s smooth voice isn’t sunny like normal but melancholy in a way that I haven’t heard before. Is he close to tears? “Do you know how scared I was, when you were carried in last night by an enemy Alpha? The pretty bastard was holding on so tightly that I thought I’d have to injecthimwith a sedative. I guess that he’s the type of Alpha who hurts Omegas and then feels bad about it afterwards.”

My eyes are still closed.

Gradually, I struggle toward full consciousness.

My head aches. I’m groggy.

Did River give me something to make me sleep last night?

I can feel that I’m lying on a small, narrow bed. By the unique spicy and floral scent, I know that I must be stretched out on the hard cot in River’s clinic.

I feel rested like I’ve been sleeping, despite the deep ache that’s ringing my throat.

Other than that, I don’t hurt like I do normally after a cage fight.

But then, Harbinger didn’t kick or even punch me. I was the one who got in the blows, slashing him with my nails.

Harbinger only threatened me, until he outsmarted me at the end and made me pass out in a single move.

My eyes smart with tears.

I lost the match for Feral.

I haven’t won the prize money that I need to buy out Feral’s contract and save him.

Plus, Dad was watching last night. He won’t have been impressed by my performance.

How can I become heir now?

I’ve lost River too, haven’t I?

My pack.

I’m about to open my eyes, needing River more than ever in the moment, this gorgeous Beta who has patched me up after every fight.

Until River starts speaking again like a hushed confession. “I could never say this to your pretty face, bella, because I need to be strong for you.Strong, isn’t it funny? I am a Beta who is half the size of every Alpha in the Underworld. You could throw me across this room. But I can still make you smile. Is that enough?I love you.I always have. But do you secretly laugh at me like your sister does? A mafia prince on his knees? Do you think that I am a joke for…? Do you even like my flowers?”

A sigh, which breaks my heart.

I adore River’s flowers. They mean the world to me.

River has always loved me…?

How can he not know that I’ve always loved him as well?

I attempt not to react to the gentle stroke down my cheek, despite being desperate to nuzzle into River’s hand.

“How would I live without you? If you died, I would too.” River’s lips are so close to mine that his breath gusts across my mouth. When he rests his cheek against mine, I can feel the wetness of his long lashes. I’m desperate to reach out and clasp my arms around him. But I can’t break this precious moment. “I know how tough you are. But don’t you see that you’re also as fragile as my beloved flowers? You don’t know what men like your papi or Vinnie are truly capable of, despite thinking that you do. How easily they could cut us all down. How can I let that happen? Feral is my Alpha, and you’re my l’anima gemella. In Sicily we have those. We have so much there.Equality for Betas. I have forgotten almost what that’s like. I’d give anything up, however, as long as I have Feral and you.Don’t leave me.”

When River begins muttering in Italian, I stiffen.

River never speaks entirely in Italian, as if it’s too painful for him to remember his past life, before he was dragged to the Underworld in America.

He doesn’t speak Italian, even when he’s talking to himself and believes that he’s alone.

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