Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
Training Room, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld
“ A n heir contest,” River says with a bright excitement. His voice is melodious with a smooth Italian accent. “Wow, bella, you’ll be a mafia princess. I’ll need to remember to bow. Or should I kneel?”
“Shut up.” I grin, launching my wet sponge at River’s head.
He laughs and dodges.
“Bad luck. Missed.” River flicks water at me from his own bucket.
I splutter with laughter, covering my face in defense. “Respect your future leader.”
“When am I ever respectful?” River puffs out his chest with typical bravado.
Then he bounces to his feet, spinning on the spot, despite the fact that the chore of cleaning the training room floor isn’t finished yet.
I’m helping him before my practice begins with Coach Romilly. Feral and I pitch in as often as we can. Allegra finds fault with River’s chores in order to punish him.
I wonder if Allegra is as hard as she is on both River and Feral because she resents these men who have been brought into our pack.
She’s the type of possessive Omega and daughter who wants all of her Dad’s attention as her own.
She’d have been happy as an only child.
I bet that she’d love it if Dad kicked even Lionzio and me out of the pack.
The training room is like a concrete box without windows. It’s lit on the ceiling by glowing violet lights.
Shelves on the wall are stacked with heavy weights, jump ropes, and punching bags. The opposite wall has been transformed into indoor rock climbing in order to improve the fighters’ grip strength.
River hums his favorite Jin song, as he dances around the gym mats like they’re a dance floor, rather than an arena for fighters to beat the shit out of each other.
He’s smiling.
What would it take to make him stop?
Except, I know.
Allegra.
Dad.
And if he’d heard what had been said about him yesterday morning around the dining table, my brother.
River talks about me becoming the heir without any jealousy. Yet the one thing I know about his past is that he was once a mafia heir himself to a powerful family.
He lost that position and now is here, serving my family.
How good a man is River that he doesn’t resent me?
I retrieve my sponge, scrubbing at the floor.
I wrinkle my nose at the chemical scent of disinfectant and sweat.
I can’t look away from River, however, and his infectious movement and joy.
He was never meant to be trapped inside. He vibrates with energy and life.
Fuck, he’s gorgeous.
In his mid-twenties, River is lean and barely taller than me.
He’s dressed in cheap, stained jeans and a black t-shirt.
A ‘ C ’ for Companion is stitched onto his top. It’s a humiliating job for him that he has to sew that C onto his own clothes to mark himself out.
He doesn’t look like any other Beta in the Underworld, however, for another reason.
His beauty.
River’s curly, raven black hair bounces as he dances. It falls over his face with its olive skin and dreamy, blue eyes that have the longest lashes I’ve seen on any man.
I fell in love with his eyes.
Then I fell in love with the most positive and sweetest man I’ve ever meet. River has the type of golden retriever personality that I didn’t know could survive in my brutal world.
Every time I see River, I’m shaken with how desperate I am to protect his spark of life .
He’s like a slice of a sun-drenched Sicilian countryside, which is struggling to thrive in this concrete hellscape.
River’s charisma takes up the whole room.
But it’s also what gets him in trouble because Betas as a dynamic are meant to be quiet and sensible. They’re not expected to be beautiful and draw attention to themselves like Omegas do.
“Hey, am I doing all the work here?” I protest, wringing out the sponge.
“Looks like it.” River twirls himself dramatically closer to the shelves, as I roll my eyes. “Did I tell you that your amazing brother gave me some new flower seeds and herbs? I’ve been wanting them forever . I can make a better medicinal paste to ease people’s bruises now. Plus, the flowers are spectacular. You will love them, bella, absolutely love them.”
I try to smother my grin but can’t.
Is it okay to tell River how cute he looks when he becomes passionate about nature? Especially as in his excitement, his Italian accent becomes thicker and he begins to speak even quicker than normal.
He looks like a sunflower with his face turned up to the sun.
My expression steels.
I won’t let River be crushed under Dad’s boot like Feral’s paper rose.
Dad knows that River is friends with my brother.
But River is only friends with Lionzio. He doesn’t love him as more than that.
Why is Dad so determined to break River? What’s the Beta’s past?
River is an orphan, but why did Dad make Lionzio his Guardian?
I don’t believe that it’s simply because my brother needed a tutor, even though River is impossibly smart.
What’s the true reason that River’s family died?
River runs his hand through his unruly curls, before approaching a shelf at the back of the training room. “Do you know that flowers have their own language? They were used in the past not only for their symbolism but also like a code.”
“Are you in teacher mode?”
“Don’t you find me hot as your professor?”
I flush. “Yeah, of course I do. So does Feral.”
Now, it’s River’s turn to flush. “It’s the glasses, isn’t it?”
“It’s the glasses on you , Riv.”
River looks pleased. “I wish that I was able to grow roses, bella. I’d give you the largest bouquet. Twenty-four red roses.”
I scrunch up my nose. “And what are twenty-four red roses code for?”
River doesn’t answer, looking away.
Instead, he rummages behind a dumbbell on the shelf, before pulling out a single red tulip.
He grips it between his teeth, spinning back to me.
I laugh. “Sneaky. When did you hide that there?”
River’s eyes become half-hooded. He slinks across the mats toward me with a sexiness that should be bottled.
How does he make his hips move like that?
When he falls to his knees and crawls to close the final gap between us, I have to press my thighs together.
Yearning sweeps through me.
I need this man. He’s my Beta. I know it.
He’s courting me. He’s been courting Feral and me for years.
But if I don’t become the heir, I could lose him forever.
When River reaches me, his beautiful deep blue eyes meet mine. Then he gently removes the tulip and tucks it behind my ear.
River’s breath gusts against my cheek.
I shiver.
“What does a single tulip mean?” I ask, holding my breath.
River rests his hands on my lap, kneeling close enough for our knees to touch.
“That you’re my soulmate,” he whispers.
My eyes widen.
I reach up, stroking my fingers over the petals that feel as soft as River’s lips look. “Say that again.”
“ My soulmate .”
I breathe in River’s refreshing citrus scent of Sicilian lemon, which is as bright and sunny as his smile.
It makes me feel as joyful as the man himself.
As hearing him call me his soulmate, despite the fact that I don’t believe it.
Worriedly, I glance around me to check that the room is still empty. “We need to be careful. This is dangerous. You shouldn’t say things like that out here in the main house.”
“Why not, when it’s true?” River tilts up his chin, defiantly. “Feral and you are my soulmates. That flower is for both of you. I’m not scared of anyone. After what I’ve… Nobody can hurt me worse. What they do to me is nothing.”
Dread churns through my guts.
What does he mean?
I grip River’s hands between mine. “I don’t want to risk you getting into trouble.”
“I’m always in trouble. What’s new? But this time, it would be worth it. Is it true that if you win the Heir Contest, then you can choose your own pack?”
I nod.
River’s expression becomes unexpectedly desperate. “I’ll help you win. Then claim me, will you? If I could bond with you, then I’d suffer anything, l’anima gemella.”
“What does that…?”
River grazes his full lips against mine. “ Soulmate .”
I reluctantly reply, “Betas don’t have those.”
“ I do.” River’s hands tighten around mine. “You’re mine, aren’t you? Look into your soul. Ignore your head and the rules. Listen to your soul, bella. Aren’t I yours?”
“Yes,” I breathe. “Please, what do twenty-four red roses mean?”
“They mean: I’m yours .” Then River kisses me for the first time.
His lips are as soft as I always knew that they would be.
He kisses me with a fiery passion. I can feel the heart and soul that he’s convincing me to listen to.
He is mine, and I am his.
This is the truth that we’ve both known and had to hide.
Feral, River, and I are the outcasts whose love for each other has brought us even closer.
It’s been the lightness in the dark of the Underworld.
The only other person who has kissed me before is Feral. It’s so different with River.
Is this his first kiss with anyone?
I melt into River’s kiss, which is tender and playful. His tongue dances against mine, at the same time that he strokes his thumb across the back of my hand.
I moan, thrusting my tongue deeper into his mouth.
He’s an amazing kisser.
Then I hear footfalls. Terror shoots through me.
I shove River away from me, breaking the kiss.
I’m stronger than River and knock him back into the bucket, which spills.
He looks at me with wounded eyes. “If I’m no good at kissing, bella, just tell me. That was my first attempt. Feral and you can train me to be better—”
“Shhh,” I hush him. “Someone’s coming. And you were mind-blowing.”
River gives a smug and well-earned smile, before he hurries to snatch up the sponge and look like he’s working.
Lionzio marches into the training room.
He’s dressed in a gray suit. He looks immaculate, apart from the bandage that’s wrapped around his wrist.
I wince.
I regret the awkward way that he stands, not sure whether he should meet my gaze.
Dad has attempted to wreck our relationship.
I don’t know how to handle this either.
“Hey, Lion,” I try. “Is it time for your tutoring session with Riv?”
Lionzio clears his throat, before clicking his fingers at River. “Here. You’re late. I shouldn’t need to fetch you because you’re messing about with my sister. Haven’t you finished your chores yet? You know how Allegra is about those. I can only protect you so many times. You’ve seen how much shit Dad gives me. I expect you to remember your duty to me at least. It should come before anything else.”
River ducks his head, pushing the bucket against the wall. “Sorry.”
I bristle. “Don’t take out your frustrations about this whole situation on Riv.”
Lionzio’s eyes flash. “He’s my ward. I can talk to him how I like.”
Fury vibrates through me.
Doesn’t my brother also love his best friend?
I’m desperate to yell: Isn’t this the Beta who you want to bond?
I’d never speak to River like Lionzio just has, no matter how much pressure I was under. I’d do anything to protect him. I wouldn’t act like he was a burden.
I’d hurt, bleed, and kill for him.
Seen like this, Lionzio’s love appears petty and conditional.
Possessive.
But then, Lionzio has only had my dad as a model for how love works.
Does anyone actually love Lionzio, apart from me?
Dad hasn’t allowed him to have his own bonded pack, telling him that he needs to focus on his work for the Battles.
It must be eating him up inside, as much as it is me, that Dad is finally dangling pack bonds in front of him.
The chance at love.
River glances between us, before jumping up.
He rushes to Lionzio’s side, stroking down his arm soothingly. “Don’t fight. I’m here, okay? Let’s go study.”
Lionzio’s expression gentles.
He takes a deep breath. “I’m only trying to keep you safe. Allegra is looking for anything that she can use to make me look weak right now. If I don’t discipline you for mistakes, while she does, then I could lose this contest.”
I stiffen.
River pats Lionzio’s shoulder. “I’ll be good.”
Lionzio snorts. “I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“Don’t worry. I get it about Allegra.” River puts the tip of his finger underneath his right eye and then pulls it down to open the pupil in one of his many Sicilian gestures that I’ve come to know means we should beware and keep our eyes open.
Lionzio spins River by the shoulder. “Time for work. And no more giving flowers to people. Unless it’s the ones that you use to brighten my study. I like those.”
I reach up to touch my tulip protectively.
“I can’t promise that,” River says lightly but with steel underneath it. “Flowers are my…” Love language. I know that’s what he’s holding back from saying. “…happy place. I love to share that happiness.”
Lionzio smiles, indulgently. “You’re sweet.”
When they stroll together toward the door, I hate that Lionzio hasn’t hugged or nuzzled me.
He’s barely spoken to me.
I shove myself to my feet, abandoned.
“Lion,” I blurt.
Lionzio freezes but doesn’t turn around; his shoulders are stiff. “Not now.”
“Please,” I whisper. “I miss you. Dad’s allowing me to move around more freely because of this contest thing but I couldn’t bear it if this meant I lost you as my brother.”
“You’ll always be my sister.” Lionzio still doesn’t look around. “I love you, Harley. But I can’t let my personal feelings get in the way of the bigger picture. I am going to be the Battle heir. I won’t let you stop me. Please don’t try. I may be a dog but I won’t beg.”
My chest is tight. “Lion, I’d never want you to beg.”
“But you are going to try and take this away from me.”
I swallow.
What do I say?
I can’t deny it.
I wish that I could get behind Lionzio and support him. I know how important this is to him.
On the other hand, I have to put Feral and River first.
It’s tearing me in half, however, needing to choose between my adopted brother and the fostered pack members who I love.
“Lion…” My mouth is dry. “Winning this is the only way that I can be safe. Why don’t you back me?”
Lionzio turns back to me with a growl. “Don’t you see? I’m the only one who can keep everybody safe. I’m the Alpha. Dad would use you and any pack you selected as a puppet heir, while he ruled from behind you. If I have the status of the position, however, I can truly make reforms and start to protect everyone how I’ve been trying to for years.” Then he shakes his head in frustration. “Fine. Let the best Battle win, I guess.”
He turns on his heel, gripping River by the elbow.
River shoots me a wink over his shoulder, which I know is meant to cheer me up, even as he’s tugged out of the room.
I hate watching him be hauled after my brother like a possession.
I wish that I could blame my brother more.
Yet his loyalty to Dad has been beaten into him.
I can’t trust him with my plan. If I could, then he’d understand why I need to fight against him to become heir.
Lionzio’s aim to reform the pack from within is admirable.
Yet it’s only sticking a band-aid over a gaping wound.
I also understand why he’d fall for River. Who wouldn’t?
Plus, he’s the boy who he grew up alongside.
I hope that one day my brother can learn what love actually means.
I let out a frustrated howl. “Fuck.”
I throw myself at the punching bag in the corner of the room, unleashing a barrage of punches and kicks on it.
“Someone needs to let out their aggression,” a singsong voice says from the doorway.
I growl in response, punching the bag again.
Then I glance around at Romilly, who swaggers into the training room.
Romilly’s black skin is contrasted against the bright white of her t-shirt and joggers. Her brown eyes are lined with gold, and her jet black hair is woven into large braids.
She’s tall with powerful arms.
“Yeah,” I reply. “I’m imagining that this is my brother’s ass.”
Romilly is the one Alpha, apart from Feral, who has truly believed in me.
As my coach, she has trained and backed me from the beginning. She’s never doubted me simply based on my dynamic.
My knuckles ache but in a good, grounding way that I need.
Romilly chuckles. “It’s better than really kicking his ass because you’d regret that. You love that uptight Alphahole more than anyone apart from—”
I swing to glare at her. “Coach.”
She holds up her hands. “I won’t go there. Otherwise, we’ll end up sparring, which is always fun. You know that fighting an Omega is the highlight of my week. My Omega, Kenya, is such a sweetheart that the roughest she ever gets is when she scratches me during her writhing heats. Apart from that, her vibe is more purring, cuddling, and waiting to be handfed.”
Romilly gives a sigh. Her expression becomes dreamy.
Like this, you could forget that a couple of years ago, Romilly was briefly the top Champion in the octagon.
Is this what settling down with the Omega you love does for you?
I’ve met Kenya. She is a genuinely sweet Omega, unlike my sister.
This is why I’m fighting so hard. I dream about wearing the same expression as Romilly is now.
Will I ever be that happy?
Romilly shakes herself, pointing at me. “But I’m proud of you. You’ve turned yourself into the most feared Omega, well, anywhere. You’re a badass. Nobody wants to face you in the octagon.”
I turn around to her, crossing my arms. “Apart from whoever is fighting me tomorrow.”
I can’t tell her that I know it’s Vinnie and Harbinger.
I bet that they’re eager to face me.
Romilly’s expression becomes professional again. “It doesn’t matter who they are. You must focus on yourself. We need to work on your mindset. Don’t become distracted by the hype or pressure of these big fights.”
I frown. “But this Harbinger is—”
“Unimportant,” Romilly barks, slamming her hand against the shelf. “Champions don’t get caught up in fighting someone else’s style. They pressure their rival to fight by theirs . What are the five P’s, huh?”
“Pace,” I reply, listing them off on my fingers. This is one of Romilly’s lessons that has been well drilled into me. “Always fight at your own and not your rival’s. Position. Aggressively create opportunities. Pressure. Apply forward pressure, as well as physical pressure to break your rival. Poise. Be confident.”
“And which of those rules are you breaking now?”
I wet my lips. “Poise.”
Romilly grips my chin, raising it. “During a fight, it doesn’t matter if you’re having your ass beaten black and blue, you remain looking like the king of Alphas. In your case, the mafia Omega princess. Before fights, you keep it up too.” She drops my chin to tap my head. “Fights are won and lost in here, before the first punch is even thrown.”
I meet her gaze. “You heard about the Heir Contest then?”
Romilly becomes thoughtful. “Who hasn’t? You know how the Beta servants gossip, as well the fighters in the dorms. It was a kick in the knot to your brother, hmm?”
I nod.
To my surprise, Romilly leans closer. “I’ve been listening to the whispers. I run the fighter dorms. And we’re all behind you. You have our fists and fangs, if you need them.”
I draw in a sharp breath.
That means the world to me.
Also, is she talking treason against Dad? The revolution that I’ve long dreamed about?
I don’t dare hope but meet her eye. “Thank you, Rom.”
Romilly nods, solemnly. “In case you hadn’t realized it, River has the backing of the Beta servants. As unbonded Betas, they’re denied medical access, but River treats them anyway. He sits up with them all night if they’re ill and puts splints on them, when they break bones. He risks punishment from Allegra for breaking the household rule. She’s caught him multiple times and made him suffer for it. But he hasn’t stopped. He’s saved many of the Betas’ lives, even if he’s too modest to boast about it. He’s the most loved Beta in the Underworld.”
I stare at her.
I knew that River worked as a medic, helping the fighters.
He’s never told me, however, that he stays up after his long day working as a servant and tutor to treat the Betas as well.
He must be exhausted.
Despite that, River brims with energy, laughter, and joy.
Every day, I fall harder for this man.
Romilly takes a careful step back. “You’re going to win the match and the contest because you’re not alone. The hopes, dreams, and support of hundreds of members of the Underworld are with you.”
My breath hitches. “I’ll win.”
For the first time, I fully believe it.
When Romilly steps aside, I brighten.
Feral is standing in the doorway, dark and silent.
Except, then I notice his bruised cheek, and my expression falls. “Allegra?”
He nods.
I can see that he’s thrumming with tension. He’s barely holding his feral nature back.
He needs to get out his aggression as much as I do.
Either a fight or a fuck will work.
Ideally, both.
Romilly glances between both of us. “You two spar.” She swaggers to the door, as Feral stalks further into the room onto the mats in the middle. “Or do something more fun. It’s up to you. How about I lock the door for an hour, so that you can have privacy to work out your anger together? I won’t come running if I hear you scream.”