Page 113 of Harley & Her Ferals

When he hesitates, conflicted, I think that I understand what’s tearing him in two.

It’s been doing the same to me.

“But then you met Harbinger for the first time yesterday…?” I prompt. I hope that my next guess is right. From how both the Alpha and Omega acted, good as they both are at hiding their reactions and emotions, it was still hard to miss when I care about them both. “And he’s your scent match.”

Laurent reaches out and cups my cheek. “He’s my scent match.”

I grin.

I knew it.

Something settles inside me, as if a part of me that has been missing, has now been found.

Is Harbinger the final member of our pack?

“Except, I didn’t meet Harbinger for the first time yesterday,” Laurent whispers.

My eyes widen. “What?”

“When I was being held by the Hades,” Laurent nuzzles at my neck like he needs the comfort, “it was tough. Two of the Alphaholes with guns who came into the study with Vinnie yesterday kindlycaredfor me. They tried to break me with Alpha Commands and discipline. There was only one Alpha who would sneak down for a couple of minutes some nights to the basement where I was being kept and check me over, make sure that I had enough food and water, and soothe me with his pheromones. He never spoke. It was clear that he wasn’t meant to be there.”

“Harbinger.”

Harbinger is an enigma.

He acts like a villain Alpha at the same time that he was secretly protecting an Omega all along.

I wrinkle my nose. “Vinnie must think that Harbinger has a bladder problem, after he made all those excuses to get up to piss at night.”

Laurent chuckles, and it breaks the tension.

I smile, wrapping my arm around Laurent’s waist. “So, your scent match, huh?”

“I’m finding a way to save Harbinger. I will bond with him.” Laurent licks my scent gland.

“I like an assertive Omega who knows what he wants.”

“I want Harbinger in our nest. I want River to be tending to Harbinger’s injuries. I want to know that my Alpha is safe.”

“I know.” I meet Laurent’s gaze. I need him to believe me. I know how I’d feel, if I’d been forced to watch Feral with a gun at his head or had to leave him behind in an enemy pack, which is even more brutal than the Battles. “Harbinger protected both of us, even Riv. We’ll find a way to protect him as well. But I have a question for you.”

“Hmm?”

“Why did Dad turn up last night? How did he know that I was there?”

Laurent gives a sharp smile. “That’s an easy one. I tipped him off through River, of course.”

I stare at Laurent in shock. “You didwhat?”

“Your reaction needed to be realistic, which is why I didn’t tell you.”

Shameless.

I tickle Laurent in retaliation, and he lets out an outraged squeak, scrambling away from me.

I pin him, however, tickling up and down his ribs.

“W-w-w-ait,” Laurent laughs. “L-listen, it worked, d-didn’t it?”

---