Page 75 of Harley & Her Ferals

He waves a regal hand. “Point well made.”

Feral growls, scanning me for injuries. “Okay?”

I rush forward to wriggle my hand through the bars of his cage.

He crawls forward to grasp it hard. I can feel how he’s shaking.

“Riv looked after me,” I reassure. “He stayed up all night to care for me. He gave me something in his clinic to help me sleep as well. My throat is sore, but that jerk, Harbinger, didn’t actually hurt me as badly as it looked. He was careful and onlyapplied as much pressure as he needed to make me pass out. It looked like he wanted to end the match as fast as possible.”

“Your Beta is a medic…?” Laurent eyes River.

I nod.

Laurent looks impressed and thoughtful.

Then my eyes smart with tears.

Feral isn’t physically injured, but the fact that he’s back locked in this cage is my fault.

I underestimated Harbinger like Laurent was talking about during the chess game. That’s why Feral isn’t enjoying his first celebration breakfast outside the cage.

This should have been the first winning step in our plan.

Instead, it’s a step back.

“I’m sorry.” I touch my bruised neck. “We lost because Harbinger distracted me. Then he did that move with the chain that I wasn’t expecting. What do we do next?”

“Sometimes your plan doesn’t work as you intended.” Laurent’s gaze steels. “In a game, you lose a piece or a player surprises you but you don’t give up. The difference on winning or losing is how fast you can get over the failure and readjust your strategy.”

“Not your f-fault,” Feral says, softly.

I squeeze his hand.

“How did you win a chess Championship that you weren’t even allowed to enter?” I eye Laurent suspiciously.

“Maybe I’m also a hacker.” Laurent gives a sharp smile. “Maybe I created a fake online Alpha identity named Rook in order to play.”

River whistles. “And maybe that makes me so hot that I’d happily go on my knees for you right now.”

Laurent’s smile becomes even sharper. “Maybe I’d let you suck my cock. Or maybe you’ll have to earn that honor.”

River stiffens.

If Laurent keeps talking to him like that, then River truly will come untouched.

By Laurent’s smirk, he’s worked out my Beta already.

Smart Omega.

I pick up one of the metal plates off the tray. I wrinkle my nose at the unappetizing sight of runny scrambled egg on wholegrain toast.

“Eggs again.” I sigh.

At least it’s not oatmeal.

“After a fight, you need a breakfast that has easily digestible carbohydrates and proteins to replenish your glycogen stores. Also, to support your muscle recovery.” River rubs at the bridge of his nose, as if he’s expecting to find the glasses there that he wears for reading.

He’s deep in tutor mode.

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