Page 72 of Harley & Her Ferals

CHAPTER NINE

Attic, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld

“Ijust lost that bet,” River whispers in awe, staring at the unexpected scene in the attic.

I stand next to River, hanging back next to him in the shadows of the doorway.

Laurent isn’t lounging lazily in a nest, waiting for us to save him like a pampered elite.

Instead, he’s sitting cross-legged behind a simple but expensive looking wooden carved chessboard, which he’s set up close to the bars that separate the two cages.

He’s slung the jacket of his gray suit to the side of the cage, adding it to the blanket to make an improvised nest.

My mouth waters at the way that Laurent has rolled back the sleeves of his white shirt to reveal his elegant forearms.

Somehow, seeing him inmycage is a relief, after having to watch him in Dad’s birdcage in the pits. Here, it feels like he’s willingly biding his time, until we escape together.

Is that only an illusion?

A delusion?

Has it always been?

My eyes widen, when I realize that Laurent looks to be partway through a game with Feral.

But Feral has never played chess before.

Most people in the Underworld wouldn’t believe that Feral was capable of playing a complex game like chess.

Yet both these men are so intently focused on their game that they don’t notice River and me.

They’re locked in their own world.

It’s thrilling to watch.

Scanning Feral carefully, I’m relieved to see that he doesn’t appear to be more bruised than after a typical cage fight.

It’s Vinnie who’ll be a walking bruise this morning.

I study the area on Feral’s throat around the shock collar. The skin isn’t burned.

I sigh in relief.

Laurent arches his brow, when Feral reaches through the bars and moves his bishop two diagonal spaces. “Interesting.”

Has Laurent truly been able to teach Feral the basics of chess in a single morning?

I don’t know if I’m more impressed with Laurent or Feral.

I’m proud of both of them.

Laurent rests his thumb on top of the rook, which I realize with a shock is the castle chess piece that he has embroidered on his suit.

Why does Laurent have a chess piece on his suit, as well as for cuff links?

“But don’t play so aggressively that you miss what your player is doing right under your nose.” Laurent taps the piece again. “I’m two moves from checkmate.”

I expect Feral to snarl or possibly, tip over the board.

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