Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ballroom, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld
“ Y ou’re leading again,” Laurent points out.
“Sorry.” I stumble on the next dance step.
“ Ouch. Also standing on my toes.”
I wince. “Whoops.”
This ballroom dancing is harder than it looks.
It was my sister who concentrated on proper Omega lessons, which included dancing. I was always sneaking away to see Feral or join my brother’s tutoring with River about far more interesting things like science or engineering.
Plus, as Second Omega, I haven’t been invited to many grand events like this.
I glance out of the corner of my eye across the ballroom.
The room is in the heart of Battle House. It’s vast, large enough to hold the most important members of the eighteen chief packs of the Underworld.
It’s packed tonight.
The guests are dressed in black tie, smart suits, and glittering dresses.
It’s hard to recognize many of them, since I’ve only faced them bleeding in the darkness of the octagon.
But then, can they recognize me?
The room’s floors, walls, and ceiling are gold-threaded marble. The dance floor gleams. The room blazes with star shaped chandeliers.
A small orchestra of Beta musicians play pretty waltzes by Strauss.
Beta servants in black waiter uniforms wind with their heads ducked between the guests, carrying silver trays of champagne flutes. I catch a glimpse of River’s black curls amongst the waiters.
It’s typical Dad to make River work tonight as a server.
Dad is standing on a small built up stage at the far end of the room. Lionzio is at his shoulder, scanning over the guests.
Lionzio looks like an immaculate CEO again. He must have used a concealer on the shadows underneath his eyes. His black hair is neatly slicked back.
He’s wearing a silver gray tailcoat suit, which makes him look dashingly handsome.
I don’t miss the glances that many Omegas (and not a few Alphas), are casting my brother.
With his good looks and how he’s already standing with my Dad on the stage, I bet that most people think my brother is the next heir.
My heart hurts.
My Alpha brother should be the successor.
Normally, I’d want him to be.
Nerves flood me.
“Don’t worry. I won’t break,” Laurent assures me, as we dance amongst the other couples. Then he grimaces. “That wasn’t an invitation to step on my toes again.”
I draw back from him. “I feel like everybody’s looking at me.”
Laurent smiles. “They are.”
Not helpful.
All eyes should be on Laurent.
He’s dazzling.
River wound Feral’s paper roses between Laurent’s rose clips. He used them to bind Laurent’s hair in elaborate loops.
Feral then used his makeup for fights to turn Laurent into a Devil Omega .
I wanted to stop Feral, worrying what Dad would think about the transformation of his sweet Omega into a sinful creature with smoky eyes and heavy eyeliner.
I’d thought that Laurent couldn’t become any more beautiful.
I was wrong.
Laurent had only shaken his head at me, sitting obediently still for Feral.
“Feral needed to mark me,” Laurent explained, as we walked together down the stairs to the ball. “He knows that you are his. They all do. But River and Feral wanted to show me that I was theirs equally too.”
He blushed cutely.
Now, Laurent leans closer to whisper, “Just concentrate on letting me lead, while you follow. The one thing that I have to thank Mom for is the ballroom dance classes that I was drilled in since I was a kid. I’ve attended enough balls to be worthy to be seen with you in that dress.”
I swish the dress, and the tide of ruffles rustle. “And what a dress.”
“Here.” Laurent rests his hand on my shoulder. Only then do I realize that River has even painted his nails red. “Now, place your hand gently… gently , you’re not trying to choke me out in the octagon…on my shoulder. We can clasp our other hands together.”
Why I am suddenly so hot?
It’s warm in the ballroom, but my cheeks are flushed. Sweat is dripping down the back of my neck. My hair is sticking to my forehead.
Is it because of how close I am to Laurent?
How standing like this, I’m looking directly into his eyes?
How his typical guardedness is down because he’s teaching me?
Or because there’s an intimacy to this dancing, which means he’s looking at me with a tenderness that’s making talking difficult?
Breathing difficult?
“Now, follow how my feet move,” Laurent continues like he doesn’t know how much he’s affecting me. “There are only six steps. Imagine that they’re fight moves that your coach is teaching you. It’s not really different.”
When he puts it like that, it makes sense.
I grin, following his steps. “I’m getting it.”
“You are,” Laurent praises, waltzing smoothly around the room. “You’re doing excellently well.”
I glow at the praise.
What Omega wouldn’t?
Then I hear Allegra’s mean laugh, as she dances past me. “For someone who can’t dance.”
She is dancing with Vinnie.
Allegra is wearing a modest scarlet evening dress with ruby earrings.
She eyes my dress enviously.
I stumble, cringing.
Laurent’s expression tightens. “Ignore that bitch.”
From the gasps around us, I know that he said it loudly enough to be overheard.
Did Laurent truly just say that?
I’m pretty sure that it wasn’t part of one of his calculated chess moves to piss off my sister.
He doesn’t appear to care, however, as his flashing gaze settles back on me. “Here or in the octagon, you’re the only one who counts. All eyes are on you. Can’t you see?” He pulls me closer, as we whirl around. “Most of them believe that one of us Omegas is deadly and the other is harmless. Their mistake .”
“I’m not so sure about that after your bitch comment.”
Laurent laughs.
It’s free and unrestrained in a way that I haven’t heard him laugh before.
It startles and delights me.
It makes me want to kiss him.
But I can’t.
Not yet.
I crave to, however, so much that it’s killing me.
“May I cut in?” A seductive drawl asks.
Laurent pulls away from me.
I’m expecting Laurent to haughtily deny the Alpha, but as soon as we both look up into Harbinger’s green eyes, Laurent smiles.
It’s one of his rare, genuine ones.
Harbinger is wearing his suave white suit, waistcoat, and tie. His hair is tied back with a bone white ribbon.
His face is still a mess of bruises, but he’s obviously made some attempt to cover it up with concealer like my brother has his dark under eye shadows.
My mouth is instantly dry, remembering what it felt like only hours ago to have this Alpha’s cock stretching my pussy.
By the way that Harbinger’s gaze slides to my face, before he smirks, he’s imagining the same thing.
I force myself to scowl, trying to hide the way that I want to kiss his stupid lips.
Laurent gives a formal bow; the type that elites are taught. “Of course.”
“Unless I could dance with both of you at the same time…?” Pink creeps up Harbinger’s neck.
Is he blushing?
“Let’s not cause a scandal.” Laurent’s smiling, however, like he’d very much like to do just that.
I grip Laurent’s arm, as he turns to leave. “Stay close to Romilly. She’s at the base of the stage with her Omega.”
Laurent nods.
I watch Laurent anxiously, as he saunters through the crowds toward the stage.
Then I allow Harbinger to clasp my hand and draw me back into the waltz.
I try to hide my grin that he’s a worse dancer than I am.
“I told you that I was coming to the ball. I don’t disappoint pretty Omegas,” Harbinger says. “So, are you going to try to lead with me as well?”
“Nope.” I smile at him sweetly, before stomping on his toes. He growls. “I’m going to stand on your toes though for eavesdropping . Stalker. Still want to dance with me?”
We both know that we’re not talking about right now.
I hope that we do.
“I’ve always known that you were dangerous.” When Harbinger leans closer, his sweet, vanilla bourbon scent wraps around me. My breath stutters. “Just how I like my Omegas. Fuck, you’re beautiful, Kitten.”
“Wow, is that an actual compliment?”
“I know. I must be sick or something.”
“Well, you look handsome too in that suit.” I wrinkle my nose. “Perhaps, we’re both going down with the flu. I feel like I may be. Why do you wear all white? The Hades pack wear black.”
I don’t expect the uncomfortable way that Harbinger avoids my gaze. “It’s the one thing that Vinnie allowed me, after I won my first fight. He said that I could choose my signature look. This is the one that I wore…before.”
“Before?” I try to hide my excitement that I’m finally learning something about Harbinger’s life Above.
Harbinger’s gaze snaps to mine again. “In the real world, you know, Above . I fought up there as well. I needed to hide it though from my younger brother and sister, who only had me to rely on. Being able to put on a pure white suit each day not only hid the bruises and pain underneath from them, but it also meant that I could pretend the black and blue canvas of my skin was wiped clean.”
I stare at him.
My expression softens with sadness.
Did Harbinger raise his brother and sister alone? Did he fight to provide for them?
Is that why he’s in debt to Vinnie now?
My eyes smart with tears at the image of Harbinger wearing white to hide from himself, as much as his siblings, the damage that was being done to his body.
And he’s still doing it.
“I know about hiding my pain.” I brush my fingers gently over Harbinger’s shoulder. How injured is he underneath this suit? “Whatever’s going on with Vinnie and you, you don’t need to do that with me. We can help each other. I know that you don’t trust me but I’m not your scent match. You can’t claim that I’m not thinking clearly like Laurent. And I want you too .”
Harbinger draws in a shocked breath.
Before he can answer, however, there’s a loud clinking of a champagne glass.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Dad calls from the stage, “it’s time for the most important part of the evening: The reason I invited you all to my estate. I am about to announce the winner of the Heir Contest. Allegra and Harley, get up here.”
“Kick their asses,” Harbinger whispers, releasing me.
I tilt up my chin, trying not to show how hard my heart is hammering in my chest, as suddenly everyone in the room is looking at my sister and me.
I struggle not to fall flat on my face, unaccustomed to walking in heels, as I weave through the silent crowds to the stage.
The tension in the room is like a vice on my chest.
When I pass River, he gives me a quick thumbs up.
Allegra revels in the attention, unlike me.
She smiles like she’s already a queen, sweeping down the path that people make for her. She leaps up onto the stage to stand proudly at Dad’s shoulder.
Romilly gives me an encouraging nod.
She’s resting a casual hand on Laurent’s arm. She’ll keep him safe, no matter what happens.
My expression steels.
This is it.
Lionzio leans over to offer me his hand.
It’s shaking.
His expression is shuttered, but I can see that he’s as nervous as I am.
Then he looks over my shoulder. I know that he’s searching out River.
My heart sinks.
I take Lionzio’s warm hand, allowing him to pull me up onto the stage. The lights are brighter here. I’m sweating.
“It’ll be okay,” Lionzio whispers. “I’ll protect you.”
I realize then that he means whether Allegra or he wins.
He doesn’t think that I have a chance.
I school my expression. I don’t look at Dad.
Dad’s suit is even more flamboyant than normal. It’s stitched with flame sequins along the arms and legs.
Dad glances at all three of us. I flinch.
“I set up this contest in the hope that my kids would prove that they weren’t weak and soft,” Dad declares. My brother takes a deliberate step away from me, straightening his shoulders. “Competition and rivalry brings out the ruthlessness in everyone. Dynamic doesn’t matter. You should all learn from this.”
The crowd stir and mutter but don’t dare talk back.
Dad holds up his hand. “Shut the fuck up. I’m about to teach you an important lesson. Who’s the first Omega cage fighter? Someone who can kick most of your asses? Who is braver than most Alphas in this room? My fucking daughter. ”
My brother freezes, becoming ashen.
Allegra pulls on Dad’s arm, baring her teeth. “But Papi, I’m the First Omega…”
“Not anymore.” Dad pushes Allegra away more roughly than he has before. Taken by surprise, she tumbles onto her ass. She begins to sob. “I declare Harley to be the winner of the Heir Contest. She is the new First Omega and heir of the Battle pack. She will no longer fight in the octagon. I will be training her up in the business, as my successor. She is only second to me now over the entire Underworld. You’d better treat her with fucking respect or you’ll have me to answer to. Kneel. ”
I raise my head in triumph, looking out over these packs, who I now rule over.
I never wanted power or to make anyone kneel for me like this.
Yet after years of being the outcast, there is still some satisfaction in this moment.
The room appears stunned.
Nobody moves, until Dad thunders again, “ Kneel .”
Laurent and River are the first to kneel, followed by Romilly and her Omega, Kenya.
Then Harbinger.
I swallow at the sight, forcing myself to keep my head up.
Finally, every single person down below in the room kneels.
“No,” Lionzio whispers in horror. “You can’t… I’m the one who has been trained my entire life for this role. You can’t do this…”
My heart breaks at his pain.
Yet if Lionzio keeps defying Dad like this, then he’ll suffer more than humiliation.
“Dearest brother, shut up,” Allegra hisses.
I also try to hush Lionzio, but he shoots me a cold look that’s filled with hurt.
He’s never looked at me like that before.
I shrink back, but at the same time, I understand why he’s feeling like he is.
I don’t blame him.
Dad ignores Lionzio and Allegra like they’re now irrelevancies.
Like he’s always treated me before he decided that he’d use me as his puppet heir.
Dad rests his heavy hand on my shoulder, steering me to the front of the stage. “As a reward, Harley will now choose a bonded Beta to join her pack.”
A bonded Beta.
My heart is in my throat.
My gaze meets River’s shining one. Tears tremble on his eyelashes. He’s placed down his tray like the other waiters have, while he kneels. Unlike them, he’s raised his head.
Finally, I have a chance to claim River as mine.
To keep him safe from a forced bonding.
To protect him from my sister’s cruelty.
To stop him from being treated as a servant.
Dad squeezes my shoulder. “Go ahead. Pick any unbonded Beta.”
I take a breath.
But when my brother notices the direction of my gaze, his eyes become wild. “ No… ”
“River,” I say, resolutely.
River smiles like the sun coming up.
“Stop this,” Lionzio snarls, stalking in front of me to block my view of River. “Choose someone else. Anyone else. This is crazy. I’m meant to be the heir. Please, this is… Why are you doing this to me, Dad? I’ve done everything that you’ve asked of me. I showed you my plan for the pack. For the Underworld. I haven’t slept, since you announced this contest, because I’ve been working so hard. What more do you want from me? You adopted me to be your Alpha son. You fucking took everything from me to have an heir. How can you wreck my life again? I won’t lose Riv.”
Dread churns in my guts.
What the hell is Lionzio doing?
Dad will tear out his throat for defying him publicly.
Lionzio knows exactly what Dad does to him, when he talks back or disobeys.
Yet he appears to be unable to stop himself.
He’s shaking, running his hand desperately through his hair, as if to self-comfort himself.
It hits me then just how long Lionzio must have seen himself as River’s Alpha.
His secret love is toxic but to him, it is love.
No matter the risk, I need to trust my brother with my plan.
If I don’t, then he’s going to get himself killed.
I know that I won’t be able to live with that guilt, and by the devastated expression on River’s face, I know that he can’t either.
“Lion,” I whisper frantically, diving to try and pull him back by the shoulder, “why don’t we talk about this later in private? Please, just…”
Lionzio shrugs me off. “He’s my Beta.”
I wince, as Dad backhands Lionzio hard enough to knock him stumbling backward.
“You once asked if I didn’t choose you because you weren’t of my blood. You were right. It’s because you’re only my adopted kid. Maybe that’s why you’re such a fucking weak, useless Alpha.” Dad’s expression is thunderous. “Kneel and apologize.”
Lionzio’s eyes widen.
He’s the boss’ son. As my older brother, he’s been working hard in Dad’s name for several years now. He’s considered to be the man in charge.
Yet Dad wants him to kneel in front of every pack in the Underworld.
Along with no longer being the heir and failing to pass his Alphahood Test, Lionzio will never recover from this humiliation.
Lionzio’s expression becomes flat and dead like he’s realized it too. Also, that if he doesn’t obey now, then he won’t only be socially dead.
Dad will make sure that he’s truly dead.
Slowly, Lionzio drops to his knees, bowing his head. “I apologize, Dad.”
“Not to me, to my heir .”
Fuck.
I try to shuffle backward, shaking my head.
I don’t want my brother to kneel to me or to publicly apologize.
We both love the same Beta. And that Beta has chosen me.
I only want Lionzio to understand River’s right to make the decision about who he bonds with. Only, how can he, when Dad makes this sound like River is a reward to whoever is worthy of being his heir?
Like Lionzo isn’t worthy because he’s adopted?
I can see how hard Lionzio is holding back tears because Dad never allows him to cry without adding extra punishment.
He turns to me, still on his knees. His hands are balled into fists.
The room is deathly quiet.
I admire the way that Lionzio raises his head and looks me directly in the eyes, as he says, “I’m sorry, Harley.”
“It’s okay,” I whisper.
I wish that my brother understood I would die to protect him from Dad. I haven’t forgotten the beatings that he’s taken for me as we grew up together in order to protect me .
After this, can I bring him in on the plan to save the Underworld from Dad? It always included saving my brother.
Luckily, Dad looks mollified.
I lick my lips, nervously waiting for Dad to declare that I can choose my Omega and Alpha.
Almost there.
I’m so close to gaining my bonded pack at last.
Yet there’s a glint in Dad’s eye that makes nerves swirl through me.
“Who but the Battle pack brings the big surprises?” Dad raises his hands dramatically, and with an explosion of smoke and glitter that has everyone shouting and jumping back to their feet, a giant, empty cage descends from the ceiling.
The glittering cage lands in the middle of the dance floor. Then its door swings open.
Laurent exchanges a questioning glance with me, but I shrug.
I have no idea what this is about. But it can’t be anything good.
Everyone looks as bewildered as me, even Lionzio.
Dad must have kept this secret.
Why?
My pulse is roaring.
“The Nine Pits of Hell, NPH, is an ancient tradition, which is celebrated once in a generation,” Dad declares. “My heir being an Omega is enough reason to hold the NPH. I promised to hold something spectacular for the Championship Special. Have I ever let you down?”
Allegra glances at Vinnie, who urges her to stand.
Allegra pushes herself to her feet, wiping her wet cheeks.
“What’s the NPH, Papi?” She asks, attempting to sound sweet.
“It’s a one-on-one death match,” Dad replies, casually.
The crowd gasp or shift uncomfortably.
A death match?
Horrified, I stare out at the grim faces. After seeing what has just happened to their boss’ own son, when he dared to defy him, no one risks speaking out against Dad.
I’m in shock at this sudden twist.
I thought that Dad would throw me a feast to celebrate my succession.
Not a fight to the fucking death.
Dad glances at me, significantly. “The heir doesn’t take part, of course. Each of the chief eighteen packs must choose their best fighter. Place them in the cage now.”
“Now…?” Vinnie bursts out like he can’t stop himself. “We’re just meant to sacrifice our best fighter?”
“It’s an honor to fight in the NPH,” Dad growls in warning.
I can tell by the shock and anger rolling off the present Alphas that they don’t think so.
Of course, Dad is making a smart move. He’s using this as a brutal way to control and weaken each of these packs.
The fights will be savage. And at least nine of the fighters put into that cage tonight will die in the fights.
Reluctantly, Alphas who are nominated by their Head Alphas begin to file into the cage.
I’ve fought most of them before.
Lionzio is still kneeling.
He’s avoiding looking at who is walking into the cage. His jaw is set like he’s desperate to say something but is holding himself back.
Allegra looks excited. Then she points at Harbinger.
I snarl, diving across to drag her arm down.
But it’s too late.
Vinnie shoves Harbinger in the back, pushing him into the cage.
I start to shake.
I force myself to mask my expression, no matter how much it feels like I’m being stabbed in the heart.
Then Vinnie asks, “Who’s fighting from your pack?”
I pale.
Why didn’t I think of that?
He can’t say…
Please…
Not…
“Feral, of course.” Dad smiles like he’s not throwing the man who I love more than my own life into a death match.
Desperately, I turn to Dad.
Maybe I can talk him out of this.
Lionzio clamps his hand around my calf.
“Don’t,” he mutters. “You’ll make things worse. How did begging work out for me? We’ll find another way to help Feral that doesn’t endanger you.”
I can’t believe that even now my brother is trying to protect me.
Dad still catches my eye. “Are you worrying about who will become your Alpha and male Omega?”
I nod, frantically.
Just for a moment, hope flares through me, until I see Dad’s dangerous smile.
He looks out at the crowd as he announces to the Alphas who are glowering from behind the bars, “I told you that it was an honor to fight in the NPH. The winner will be granted Laurent as the prize.”
Laurent’s startled gaze flies to mine.
Feral or Harbinger could still win him, but only one can survive.
They’re both his Alphas.
I feel even sicker, when I see Laurent’s lip trembling.
He didn’t look this distressed when he had a gun held to his own head.
This is the first time that I’ve seen Laurent not being in control. But then, how could anyone have guessed that Dad was going to pull this move?
He’s not playing chess but Risk.
I take deep breaths, pushing down my panic and the overwhelming urge to cry.
“Then the Champion Alpha and his prize Omega,” Dad’s eyes glitter, as he looks at me like I should be pleased, “will be bonded to my heir.”
Loud, excited whispers rush through the room.
I freeze in shock.
I feel overheated.
Dizzy.
The mingling scents and pheromones in the ballroom suddenly seem overwhelming.
This was meant to be the night that everything came together.
The night that I was victorious as heir.
The night that I chose my bonded pack.
I’ve been announced as the heir. I can bond to River.
Yet Dad has made the last event of the season the most deadly. The loser of each bout will die.
I could be forced into a bond with a stranger.
And I could lose both of my Alphas.
I shake. My hands are clammy. All of a sudden, a fever rips through my body.
Another wave of heat hits me, stronger than before.
Something’s wrong.
It’s like a heat, but I can’t be experiencing that because I’ve been taking illegal suppressants.
Please, please , don’t let this be happening now. Not here, amongst so many rival, fighter Alphas.
Not when I’ve just been announced as the Omega Heir.
Then my pussy gushes with wetness, and I know that it’s too late.
My heat is unexpectedly here.
Please, no…
To my shock, I hear Allegra laugh. Her vicious gaze glances downward.
I’m soaking through my dress.
I redden, staggering forward.
In alarm, Laurent leaps onto the stage, blocking me from everyone’s curious gazes.
I must get out of this room.
I need my Alphas…
My eyes flutter closed. My vision blurs to gray.
“Harley, I’m here…” Laurent’s cool arms catch me, as I fall.