Page 23 of Harley & Her Ferals

Hell, Dad is truly going to do this to him.

Lionzio’s cheeks tint with pink.

It floods back then: every time that I was in here, when Lionzio and I were kids, and I wasn’t strong enough to protect Mom or him.

I wanted to become a Champion to stand up for every dynamic who was bullied, humiliated, or made to feel small and unable to fight back.

I wanted to save my brother.

As much as I’ve trained to become strong, however, I still can’t stand up and protect my family yet. And that hurts me far more than if Dad chose to do this to me and not his adopted son.

What if Dad has been treating Lionzio like this every day that I haven’t been here?

Every Alpha can be a tyrant in their own home.

And Dad is.

“I took you into my house.” Dad tidies Lionzio’s hair. Standing over him, it’s clear that he’s a much bigger Alpha. “Taught you to be myloyaldog. And what do dogs do?”

“Bark,” Lionzio forces out.

Lionzio’s tormented gaze meets mine like he believes that I will judge him or think less of him for this.

Dumbass.

Doesn’t he know what Feral and I have had to do to survive?

I struggle to give him a reassuring smile.

“Don’t be a bad dog, brother dearest,” Allegra mocks

To my shock, Dad drags out his gun in a single brutal move and holds it to the side of Lionzio’s head.

“Fucking bark, bitch,” Dad snarls.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe.

“Please,” I whisper.

I don’t know if I’m begging Dad not to shoot or Lionzio to please,pleasejust do what Dad says.

Dad could pull the trigger. His eyes are furious and wild.

In this mood, he could do fucking anything.

It’s mypleasemore than the gun that appears to make Lionzio break.

He barks, looking like it’s tearing him up inside to do it.

Dad chuckles.

A tear finally rolls down my cheek.

Allegra, on the other hand, snorts with laughter.

I’m going to kick her ass for that. I don’t know how. But I will.

Dad lowers his lips to Lionzio’s ear. “You’re not a dog, boy. You’re apuppy.”

---