Page 51 of Harley & Her Ferals

“There is no need to be rude.” He strokes down the back of Feral’s hand. “Heis gorgeous and so far, protective of me. Don’t talk about him like that.”

Where has Laurent learned to be so commanding?

Feral and I, however, both laugh at the same time.

I don’t miss, however, how Feral leans even closer to the bars and turns his hand to entwine his fingers with Laurent’s.

Laurent lets him.

“Sorry,” I say, touched by Laurent’s defense of the Alpha I love. “Feral is his name.”

“Oh.” Laurent gives a sheepish grin. “I shouldn’t be surprised. One of my best friends is called Swan.”

“C-call me Fer.” Feral’s gaze flicks to me like I may protest.

That’s my name for him, and sometimes, River’s too.

Yet the way that Laurent’s cool expression warms at Feral’s permission makes me glad that Feral is trusting him with the name.

“Thanks, Fer,” Laurent replies.

It gives me courage to admit in a rush, “We’re not kidnapped. Fer was fostered into the pack to be a cage fighter. And I’m his fighting partner.”

Laurent quirks his brow. “Two cage fighters who are trapped between fights in cages. Interesting. Also, interesting methods that they use to keep their fighters controlled. Shock collars and…” He gestures around at the dank attic. Then he smiles at me. My heart leaps. His smile could launch armadas or destroy worlds. “I have a thing for badass Omegas. I’m impressed.”

Please let that be true.

Involuntary purring bursts out of me.

I blush.

Embarrassing.

Laurent’s smile widens.

My only fear is that he says everything like it’s a move in chess. Right now, he thinks that he’s on the same side as me.

Together, I have the feeling that we have an even better chance of taking on Dad.

But what happens when Laurent realizes that I’ve been secretly fighting on the other side of the chessboard all along?

I can’t do that to him, even if he hates me.

I can’t hide that I’m part of the Battles pack.

I’m not a kidnapped Omega like Laurent. I’m his enemy’s daughter.

My pulse races. I brace myself for what is likely to be the most painful rejection of my life.

“Laurent.” I tilt up my chin, refusing to ignore his gaze, even though I’m terrified what I’ll see in it. “I’m not from Above like you are. I was born here in the Alpha Underworld. My name is Harley Battle. The Head Alpha, Don Battle, is my dad.”

I hold Laurent’s gaze, steeling myself.

“You’re that Alphahole’s daughter…?” To my surprise, Laurent’s expression gentles. Then he scrambles toward me, nuzzling my neck and holding me on the edge of too tight. “I’m sorry. What a bastard.Gentle treatment?Spoiling?Perfect nests? The fucking hypocrite. How dare he talk to me like that, while ignoring his own daughter and keeping her locked up like this?”

He pulls back from me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Where’s your nest?”

“Here.” Feral sounds hurt, as he gestures at our single blanket and the paper roses that he’s entwined around the bars.

---