Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
Attic, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld
“ I just lost that bet,” River whispers in awe, staring at the unexpected scene in the attic.
I stand next to River, hanging back next to him in the shadows of the doorway.
Laurent isn’t lounging lazily in a nest, waiting for us to save him like a pampered elite.
Instead, he’s sitting cross-legged behind a simple but expensive looking wooden carved chessboard, which he’s set up close to the bars that separate the two cages.
He’s slung the jacket of his gray suit to the side of the cage, adding it to the blanket to make an improvised nest.
My mouth waters at the way that Laurent has rolled back the sleeves of his white shirt to reveal his elegant forearms.
Somehow, seeing him in my cage is a relief, after having to watch him in Dad’s birdcage in the pits. Here, it feels like he’s willingly biding his time, until we escape together.
Is that only an illusion?
A delusion?
Has it always been?
My eyes widen, when I realize that Laurent looks to be partway through a game with Feral.
But Feral has never played chess before.
Most people in the Underworld wouldn’t believe that Feral was capable of playing a complex game like chess.
Yet both these men are so intently focused on their game that they don’t notice River and me.
They’re locked in their own world.
It’s thrilling to watch.
Scanning Feral carefully, I’m relieved to see that he doesn’t appear to be more bruised than after a typical cage fight.
It’s Vinnie who’ll be a walking bruise this morning.
I study the area on Feral’s throat around the shock collar. The skin isn’t burned.
I sigh in relief.
Laurent arches his brow, when Feral reaches through the bars and moves his bishop two diagonal spaces. “Interesting.”
Has Laurent truly been able to teach Feral the basics of chess in a single morning?
I don’t know if I’m more impressed with Laurent or Feral.
I’m proud of both of them.
Laurent rests his thumb on top of the rook, which I realize with a shock is the castle chess piece that he has embroidered on his suit.
Why does Laurent have a chess piece on his suit, as well as for cuff links?
“But don’t play so aggressively that you miss what your player is doing right under your nose.” Laurent taps the piece again. “I’m two moves from checkmate.”
I expect Feral to snarl or possibly, tip over the board.
Instead, he scans the board, trying to work out the moves.
Feral’s shoulders are relaxed, and his eyes are clear.
He’s the calmest that I’ve seen him be in years.
After the way that Feral lost control last night in the octagon, I expected him to be in a mess this morning like he is after most fights. It can normally take days for him to be able to talk or think straight again.
How has Laurent managed this?
“The feral whisperer,” River murmurs.
I already knew that Laurent was the Alpha whisperer.
What has Laurent lived through to make him this skilled at understanding people?
This man is talented.
Laurent leans back on his hands, which stretches out his lean body in a way that makes me want to lick and bite every inch of him.
Beside me, River swallows.
I can see how fixated my Beta is on Laurent’s long, pale throat and the way that he tosses his blond hair out of his eyes.
So, there isn’t going to be a problem about River wanting this male Omega. At least, if the way that River is clutching the tray that holds our breakfast of scrambled egg hard enough to break it means anything.
“The rook is a formidable piece,” Laurent explains, as if Feral is his favorite student. I’ve never heard anyone but River talk to Feral like this. I’ve certainly never heard an Omega talk to an Alpha in this manner. It does something funny to my insides. “It can move any number of squares in a straight line. It may not be considered important at the start of a game. Why that’s important…? Weaker players overlook it. That’s essential because stronger players can then use it to go under the radar and dominate with it in the endgame.”
Feral tilts his head in question.
“The rook is devastating in the endgame because then you can control more freely,” Laurent continues. “They’re more valuable than bishops or knights. Also, castling is important to improve your king’s safety.”
“M-my Omegas are my kings,” Feral replies.
Laurent hesitates, before he asks, “Am I your Omega?”
I hold my breath.
Feral nods. “Mine.”
I can’t hold back my grin.
“I should have brought popcorn,” River whispers.
I nudge his shoulder.
This scene is touching me in ways that I never expected. I want to hug both of them, but they also need to experience this moment alone.
It’s special.
Laurent looks overwhelmed, sitting straighter and appearing unsure what to do with his hands.
He plays with a strand of his hair, before his sharp gaze snaps to Feral’s. “Good because you’re my Alpha. And my Alphas are my kings. I used the strategy of castling to protect my Alpha brother, Amby. I’ve used it my entire life. And the thing that you need to remember about the strategy with rooks is this: it’s a mistake to move too early . It’s all in the timing. This is how I brought down my mom and Alpha abusers, then saved my brother, friends, and an entire dance academy. Those Alphaholes thought that I was nothing but a pretty, dumb Omega. Look at me. Aren’t I sweet ? But I was devastating in the endgame.”
“I think that I just came,” River breathes.
I burst out laughing.
Laurent startles, pushing himself up into a defensive crouch that so nearly matches Feral’s that I blink.
“Shit, sorry.” I stroll into the room, flooding the room with soothing pheromones for both men. I hardly dared dream that I’d meet a male Omega who would need them. “So, who’s winning?”
Laurent relaxes back into a lazy sprawl, adjusting the rose clips in his hair. “I am, of course. I am the World Online Chess Champion.”
River, who was following after me eagerly, almost drops his tray. He wouldn’t have had fun cleaning up that sticky mess.
“World…?” River gasps. “But only Alphas are allowed to enter that contest, la mia rosa.”
“Are they? I had no idea.” Laurent coolly studies River. “Who are you? Apart from someone who states the obvious and calls me your rose like you already possess me?”
I wince. “He’s actually a thorn.”
“I am,” Laurent agrees. “If you touch me without permission, I won’t simply prick you, I’ll bite .”
I expect River to be upset, but in fact, his smile widens.
“I love flowers, la mia rosa.” River places down the tray in front of the cages. Then he brightly kneels in front of Laurent’s cage. “Roses are beautiful but also have thorns to defend themselves. Everyone has that right, no?”
Laurent warily nods, before his gaze zeros in on the C that’s stitched on River’s top.
Immediately, his expression gentles. “You’re a Companion.”
River’s smile becomes brittle. “Ah, I see. I am. I shouldn’t be talking to you. I’m only a Companion, the tutor to Harley’s brother. She told me so many good things about you, however, that I wanted to meet you.”
Laurent looks shocked. “I didn’t mean it that way. If you’re a Companion in this pack, then you’re not my enemy. We can be friends. I’m Laurent.”
“Friends,” River agrees, bouncing on his knees. “I’m River.”
“Pretty name.”
River’s cheeks tint pink.
He’s fucking smitten.
I don’t blame him.
“Riv is our Beta,” I point out, determined that Laurent understands this.
Laurent glances between Feral and River for confirmation.
Feral nods, while River scrambles to lean over to his cage.
Feral yanks River by his curls, until their lips touch through the bars.
Feral kisses River, hard and claiming.
He’s making it clear just how much River is his.
When River whines, Feral deepens the kiss.
Feral rarely needs words to make his point.
When he finally lets go of his hold on River, our Beta falls back, breathlessly.
River’s cheeks are flushed. His chest is rising and falling.
“Fer is my King: mio re.” River struggles back to his knees in front of Laurent’s cage. “And I’m simply his, mind, body, and soul.”
Laurent smiles in a genuine way that I’m not certain I’ve seen before. I’m not surprised that my sunny Beta has brought this out of him.
He waves a regal hand. “Point well made.”
Feral growls, scanning me for injuries. “Okay?”
I rush forward to wriggle my hand through the bars of his cage.
He crawls forward to grasp it hard. I can feel how he’s shaking.
“Riv looked after me,” I reassure. “He stayed up all night to care for me. He gave me something in his clinic to help me sleep as well. My throat is sore, but that jerk, Harbinger, didn’t actually hurt me as badly as it looked. He was careful and only applied as much pressure as he needed to make me pass out. It looked like he wanted to end the match as fast as possible.”
“Your Beta is a medic…?” Laurent eyes River.
I nod.
Laurent looks impressed and thoughtful.
Then my eyes smart with tears.
Feral isn’t physically injured, but the fact that he’s back locked in this cage is my fault.
I underestimated Harbinger like Laurent was talking about during the chess game. That’s why Feral isn’t enjoying his first celebration breakfast outside the cage.
This should have been the first winning step in our plan.
Instead, it’s a step back.
“I’m sorry.” I touch my bruised neck. “We lost because Harbinger distracted me. Then he did that move with the chain that I wasn’t expecting. What do we do next?”
“Sometimes your plan doesn’t work as you intended.” Laurent’s gaze steels. “In a game, you lose a piece or a player surprises you but you don’t give up. The difference on winning or losing is how fast you can get over the failure and readjust your strategy.”
“Not your f-fault,” Feral says, softly.
I squeeze his hand.
“How did you win a chess Championship that you weren’t even allowed to enter?” I eye Laurent suspiciously.
“Maybe I’m also a hacker.” Laurent gives a sharp smile. “Maybe I created a fake online Alpha identity named Rook in order to play.”
River whistles. “And maybe that makes me so hot that I’d happily go on my knees for you right now.”
Laurent’s smile becomes even sharper. “Maybe I’d let you suck my cock. Or maybe you’ll have to earn that honor.”
River stiffens.
If Laurent keeps talking to him like that, then River truly will come untouched.
By Laurent’s smirk, he’s worked out my Beta already.
Smart Omega.
I pick up one of the metal plates off the tray. I wrinkle my nose at the unappetizing sight of runny scrambled egg on wholegrain toast.
“Eggs again.” I sigh.
At least it’s not oatmeal.
“After a fight, you need a breakfast that has easily digestible carbohydrates and proteins to replenish your glycogen stores. Also, to support your muscle recovery.” River rubs at the bridge of his nose, as if he’s expecting to find the glasses there that he wears for reading.
He’s deep in tutor mode.
He’s hot like this, but I still pull a face because eggs again.
Laurent perks up, however, assessing River.
I wish that I knew what was going on in Laurent’s head.
On the other hand, this is the Omega who hacked the web to create an Alpha identity, successfully convinced everyone for years that he was one, and on top of that is a chess Grandmaster.
He’s a genius.
He must be thinking so many more moves ahead than I can.
Excitement rushes through me, along with a sudden hope.
I may be physically much stronger than Laurent, Feral a hundred times more. Yet we now have a male Omega on our side who can outsmart every single person within the Underworld.
Yet Dad thinks that Laurent is nothing but a pretty pet.
And that’s an advantage that we’ve never had before.
When Laurent raises his cool gaze to mine, he appears to catch my thought. “Do you understand now?”
I swallow. “I do.”
“Understand what, bella?” When River picks up a rich buttery brioche bun, I brighten.
“I take everything back about these eggs, since you brought us a treat,” I exclaim.
River looks sheepish. “Actually, this is for…”
He holds the brioche up for Laurent.
Laurent crawls to the bars, leaning his forehead against them. “Don’t I feel special.”
River licks his dry lips. “Omegas should be cherished. Do you like these? I can make you something else, if you prefer.”
Laurent’s expression becomes fragile for a moment. “Would you? If I asked?”
“Of course. I’d do the same for my other pack members, but they’re on a strict diet because of their training. I look out for everyone, but my pack mean the world to me. I’d do anything for them.”
“I’m…? Am I your pack?” Laurent asks.
“If you want to be.”
Laurent replies by taking a hard bite out of the brioche, never breaking eye contact with River.
So, Laurent is a Grandmaster at eye fucking as well.
River is breathing hard.
Laurent chews slowly, before swallowing. Then he licks over his plush lips.
“Thank you, my Beta.” He rubs his cheek against River’s fingers through the bars, before kissing each one in turn.
He purrs, deep and rumbling.
It should look like a performance.
But it doesn’t.
It also should be sweet and submissive.
But it’s not.
It’s one of the best power moves that I’ve witnessed.
River is frozen in place. He’s staring at Laurent like he’s a god.
I know how he feels.
Laurent appears to have that affect on everyone.
But he’s our god.
Feral reaches to pick up the fork on the metal plate and raises it to my lips.
I happily accept my Alpha handfeeding me. It somehow makes even the cold, congealing eggs taste good.
I push Feral’s hand, forcing him to take a bite of eggs for each one that he feeds me.
The quiet in the attic is comfortable, as if we’ve all been a family for years, rather than only met together for the first time this morning.
This pack is meant to be.
It feels right.
“La mia rosa,” River strokes Laurent’s hair like he’s daring to pet a caged lion, while Laurent takes another bite of brioche (to be fair, he warned that he did bite), “since you’re the brilliant chess player here, what do you think our next move should be?”
Laurent sits back, thinking for a moment. “You’re all hiding your identities, as much as I did as Rook.”
The rest of us glance at each other.
Huh, Laurent is observant.
We nod.
“I played at being sweet, taking the beatings from my psycho Mom, while scheming since I was a kid to rescue the Betas who were imprisoned in her cruel dance academy,” Laurent says. “I had to be patient. She was an abuser. A murderer. She conditioned me since I was young to use my body and Omega nature to manipulate and trap. I wasn’t worth anything, apart from how I looked. But at last, I made my move. I beat her. With the help of my brother and friends, I took down one brutal empire. And I can do it again. We can .”
My heart aches at the thought of a young Laurent being whipped or trapped in such a terrifying pack.
No wonder he has such courage in the face of Dad and being kidnapped to the Underworld.
He’s inspiring.
He’s already faced his demons.
But now, he’s facing mine.
It’s not fair. Yet he’s already adapted to it. Instead of dwelling on how much it sucks that he’s not able to enjoy his earned freedom and is caught up in another battle, he’s helping me.
I respect the fucking hell out of him.
“But we don’t have years to plan this,” I reply. “We only have a couple of days, before Dad makes the decision on the heir. Everything hangs on that.”
Laurent taps the chessboard. “Like in chess, you need to see the bigger picture, rather than focusing on a single move. You also have to remember that players and not the pieces control the board. Play the player and not the board.”
“I don’t understand.” I pass the plate to Feral, before I edge closer to Laurent.
“You will. Don’t worry, I’ll work out a strategy that plays the player.”
River shuffles back, tossing the half-eaten brioche to me with a warning glance that I know means this isn’t for you, sneaky Omega .
I wasn’t thinking of getting in a quick nibble.
Much.
It makes me happy in a deep, unexpected way, when I hold the brioche up to Laurent, and Laurent’s purr deepens.
River and Feral watch us two Omegas together with heated looks.
Interesting.
How much more turned on will they be watching their Omegas kissing? Fucking?
I imagine that Laurent would love the idea of being the one in our bed who is fucking me, while the Betas and Alphas can only look and not touch.
Except, I also love the idea of being the one to peg Laurent, for the same reason.
So many possibilities.
But first, I need my intentions and feelings to be clear.
The next weeks are going to be tough. This fight that we’re in together may be deadly.
I can’t have any misunderstandings. All my men deserve to know where they stand.
Laurent nibbles the brioche, deliberately grazing his lips over my fingers.
He’s definitely playing the players right now.
When I raise my eyebrow at him, he laughs like he knows that he’s been caught out.
My turn to play him.
I remove the brioche and place my mouth in its place like a challenge.
Laurent tentatively places his lips against mine but then doesn’t appear to know what to do.
Hasn’t he kissed anyone before?
I almost pull away in surprise but I don’t want to hurt his feelings.
Isn’t he a playboy? A socialite?
In the magazines, he’s displayed in transparent clothing, barely dressed. He looks like the type of wealthy Omega who is rutted by his pick of the most elite Alphas.
Yet is he a virgin?
Trying not to show the shock on my face, I take over the kiss to guide Laurent. I lick over his lips, before coaxing his mouth open.
The room is flooded with Feral’s spicy scent. He’s growling deep in his throat, desperate to join us.
Then Laurent moans.
It’s the fucking sexist thing in the world to have enticed such a wrecked sound from a man who holds himself together like Laurent does.
I draw my hand through his long hair, entwining my tongue with his.
Laurent smells and tastes of delicious rose chocolate truffles. He’s delicious.
He melts, slowly kissing me with a tenderness that I’m not expecting.
Finally, he draws back.
His gaze is dazed. He’s breathing hard.
“We truly are soulmates, aren’t we?” Laurent says like he needed the kiss to accept it. “But I’ve never believed in them or pack bonds. My brother claims that he’s found his in the Romeo pack. But he’s a romantic. After everything that I’ve seen and been through…the Alphas who have touched me without my permission and only wanted to bond with me because of how they can use me…I never thought that I’d want this. But you’re really my soulmate. And Feral is my scent match. My Alpha.”
Feral leans as close as he can against the bars that separate the cages.
“Both mine.” Feral’s eyes flash, possessively.
“I want you both too,” Laurent replies, equally possessively. “Deal.”
My heart soars, but I laugh. “Is everything a deal to you?”
“If it is,” River shoves himself to his feet, awkwardly pushing his hands into his pockets, “is this Beta thrown in for free?”
Laurent raises his eyebrow. “Certainly not. Betas are priceless. Some of my best friends are Betas like Swan, the best male ballet dancer in our academy. They’re definitely the bravest. If you’re this pack’s Beta, then I’d be honored if you’d consider me your prize.”
This pack.
A thrill rushes through me.
“River is our pack’s Beta,” I reply firmly to make certain that there’s no doubt in either men’s mind about this. This is equally important for River to hear. “If this is a deal, then it’s non-negotiable.”
“He’s our s-s-soulmate,” Feral adds, puffing out his powerful chest with pride.
“Wait, Beta soulmates exist…?” Laurent asks.
I flinch.
Please don’t hurt River.
“In Italy.” River tilts up his chin, defiantly.
Actually, I hope Laurent isn’t hurt, if he dares to insult Italy.
Never insult Italy to a mafioso’s face.
“Well, that explains everything.” Laurent glances between us. “I’ve spent my life thinking that there wasn’t a pack unique enough to bond with a misfit Omega like me, when I dropped my mask and revealed my true self. It seems that it takes being kidnapped for me to find one. All I need to do is work out a way to free us, destroy this criminal underworld, and save everyone who is trapped here. We’ll call it our mission.”
All he needs to do…?
I clench my hands.
I already know that bonds don’t mean safety.
I watched Dad break his bond with Mom over breakfast, then her agony as she suffered Broken Bond Syndrome.
I wept at Mom’s bedside, too young to know how to care for her, as she slowly caught a fever and slipped into a coma.
No doctor was called, even though I begged Dad until I lost my voice.
When Mom died, I knew that it was from her broken bond.
I’m terrified of being bonded. I’m equally terrified of missing the chance to match with these men who I know in my soul are mine.
That conflict is tearing me in two.
I’ve just found my soulmates and scent match.
What if I’m about to lose them forever in this hell?