Page 67 of Harley & Her Ferals

What’s River trying to tell me?

A code of flowers?

Why is this important to him?

Yet the thought of River always being with me to treat my injuries — to be the person who cares for me — makes me want to purr.

Unfortunately, my throat hurts too much for that.

My eyes narrow.

Asshole Harbinger.

Harbinger has affected my ability to purr. Attacking anyone’s neck, where their scent gland and future bonding will be, is usually considered the lowest of blows.

To be fair, I did knee him in the balls.

Still, for an Omega who needs to purr, I won’t easily forgive him.

I’ll get Harbinger back for this.

River passes me the herbal tea. “This should help.”

“Thanks.” When I take a sip of the bitter tea, which is sweetened by the honey, my throat is instantly eased. “This is fantastic.”

“My own recipe.” River glows. “Luckily, Harbinger didn’t put much pressure on your neck. It’s strange. I was panicked, but then, it became clear that he’d actually applied the precise pressure in the stranglehold to make you pass out but not to do more than superficial damage. Most of the beasts in the Hades pack would have been crueler than that or at least, wouldn’t have been that skilled.”

“You’re praising him…?” I take another soothing drink of tea.

River runs his hands through his curls. “How about if I point out how sexy his hot villain vibes are? I do like a muscled bad boy. Also, that silver hair…?” He fans himself. I roll my eyes. “Don’t tell Fer.”

I freeze. “Fer must be going crazy.”

“Harbinger said that he was going exactly that in the octagon. He sounded amused that Fer almost tore histhroat out for hurting you. Fer had to be shocked with his collar to stop him.”

My stomach lurches.

Not only did I lose the match but I led to Feral being shocked as well.

No longer able to stomach the tea, I place it down on the floor.

River’s expression steels.

He kneels in front of me, placing his head on his lap and looking up at me through his lashes. “Do not go blaming yourself, bella. Fer isn’t in control during those matches. It was his choice to defend you. I would have done the same. And this Harbinger is some kind of… I don’t know. But the gossip around the Underworld is that he’s the Hades’ secret weapon. Vinnie is determined to become Champion again by pairing with him. How could you beat the type of psycho who uses a steel chain like that?”

My hands ball into fists. “I will next time.”

“That’s the spirit.” River kisses my bare thigh. I shiver. Then my nose wrinkles at a pungent stink, which wafts from an open set of charred bowls that are stacked behind him. They’re filled with a sticky goo. “What’s that?”

“My latest experiment,” River replies, proudly. “I’ve been trying out some new combinations of poisonous flowers. Ah, I may have burned it. All scientists learn from their mistakes. I was going to try again and test it on myself this morning, but you know… Also, I may have used up the ones that I need. I never have enough.”

He raises his hand, touching his thumb and middle finger together, at the same time pulling a sad expression. I’ve cometo learn that this is a Sicilian gesture for the difference between what he lacks and his desire for having it in abundance.

River uses it a lot, when I ask about his flowers, seeds, and herbs.

My eyes widen.

Poisonous…?

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