Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Heir’s Suite, Battle House, The Alpha Underworld
“ S omeday, I’ll dance with you in the sun at a Sicilian festival.” River smiles dreamily, at the same time as he twirls Laurent around the room.
It’s Friday night, the evening before the death matches.
I’ve insisted that Feral takes tonight off from practicing his sparring with me, while Laurent and River take the time off from beating themselves up for not being able to work out the plan before the NPH.
If this is the final night that we can spend together, then I want a quiet evening, where we can simply enjoy each other’s company like we’re a normal pack.
It doesn’t matter how much I’m being torn up inside. I’m going to hold onto the illusion tonight.
River is distracting himself by playing the latest Jin album. He’s also dancing with Laurent around the bedroom in the low light.
Laurent knows ballet and ballroom dancing (and has proved in many sexy ways how flexible he is). But he’s never danced in a club to modern music before.
He looks adorably flustered and bewildered by the moves that River is showing him.
Feral and I are curled together on the end of the bed.
I’m wearing the kitten pajamas that Harbinger chose to tease me. It helps me to feel connected to him. My feet are warm in the cozy socks.
Feral is watching the two men with half-hooded eyes like he’s half considering hunting and then pouncing on them.
They both bring out his primal play side.
At the moment, however, I’m holding Feral back because River seems so genuinely relaxed and happy as he opens up about his past in a way that he rarely does.
It makes a bubbling joy rise through the bond.
I rest my head contentedly on Feral’s shoulder.
I wish that this moment could go on forever and this night would never end.
Only, I know that it will have to.
“There are loads of festivals in spring. All members of the packs attend together. Everyone celebrates as equals. There’s music, dancing, and everybody dresses up in beautiful costumes.” River’s face is expressive. His gestures become even more dramatic. “Ah, and the food! The gelato the same flavor as my bella! The pistachios are heaven in a nut.”
Laurent arches his brow. “Then how can we miss that? I’ll be expecting a delicious Sicilian dinner. And dessert, of course. What monster doesn’t order dessert? It’s a date.”
River stumbles like he’d been lost in his dream and hadn’t expected Laurent to join in or act as if it was possible that not only would we succeed in making it Above, but that we’d go on real dates.
He looks uncertain.
“Our plan is going to work,” Laurent insists.
River pulls Laurent into a faster dance. “Then it’s a date with all of you.”
“I w-want gelato.” Feral licks down my neck. I shiver, when his tongue teases around my sensitive bond bite. “Chocolate chip ice cream like my Omega.”
My inner Omega glows.
My Alpha wants to eat me, and not in the way that he does, which makes me shake, convulse, and come multiple times because fuck , Feral’s tongue is as strong as the rest of him.
Plus, is ruthlessly relentless.
Laurent discovered the same thing, when he woke up this morning.
Afterward, Laurent lay on his back, panting and staring unseeingly like Feral’s tongue, rather than pistachios, was heaven.
“I’ll be honored to give you your first ice cream, mio re.” River glances over his shoulder at Feral and me, as he slips his arms around Laurent’s shoulders. “I miss proper Italian food. Sometimes Lion would have pizza delivered, when he was working late, or when he was younger and had high up Alphas from other packs around for sleepovers. I was only allowed to do the chores, however, while they had fun. I could tell Lion didn’t even like the other Alphas. It was simply a way to network. Still, he’d save me some cold pizza. Lion is brilliant, see?”
My expression tightens. I struggle not to say anything.
By the Battles’ standards, Lionzio has treated River better than a ward should be treated.
Lionzio refused to punish River. He turned a blind eye to his breaking the rules. He gave him a workshop, cold pizza, and access to more property than most Companions are allowed to own.
Yet River is the man who I love.
Could I have been happy to eat hot meals, while only giving River cold scraps afterward?
On the other hand, I haven’t been broken in the Discipline Cells. I wasn’t forcibly adopted into a mob family.
River doesn’t judge Lionzio. So, I’m trying not to.
Laurent draws back from River, however, and flicks him on the forehead. “And you’re an idiot. Can’t you see that you deserve so much better? I happen to be wealthy. I’ll buy you an entire Italian restaurant. A chain of them and name them after you. When we’re out of here, none of you will be hungry or eat leftovers again. Do you understand?”
“Playing the billionaire card, la mia rosa?” River’s eyes crease at the sides, however, as he smiles. He gently kisses the frown off Laurent’s lips. “You don’t need to do any of that. I love you without—”
Laurent kisses him to stop his words.
When Laurent draws back, however, he’s still frowning. “Tell me that you understand you don’t deserve to be treated like that.”
My breath hitches.
He had them shot…all of them…killed…my birthday…in front of me…over my cake…my fault because it was my party…
River accepts what’s happened in this pack because of his guilt.
He was still a kid, when Dad had him dragged to the Underworld to be my brother’s tutor. But with no way to process the trauma of what had happened, he must have internalized the guilt that Dad tricked the pack and had the ambush happen at his birthday party.
The cruelty of that, when Dad also intended to steal their Alpha heir to make an example of him by keeping him as a Companion, takes my breath away.
But Dad loves a spectacle.
He makes dramatic examples of people and packs. It would have been whispered about between the heads of the other packs back then. It must have kept them in line more than anything else that he’d be prepared to ruthlessly wipe out an entire pack and steal their heir.
River shakes his head, looking away.
“Riv,” I say, quietly, “you mean the world to all of us. You’re an equal. You’re our bonded Beta now.”
“A F-feral,” Feral adds.
“And soon, no one will dare to mistreat you again.” Laurent’s smile is sharp.
River laughs. “Looks like I don’t have a choice in this.”
“That’s the point,” I reply. “In our new pack, we all have a choice now.”
“Well,” River tilts his head, “something has definitely changed in Lion as well. Because I put in a request for a delivery tonight. I told him that he should treat us because it’s the final night of our bond leave, and Lion agreed.”
Alert, I sit straighter. “A delivery ? You say that it’s a treat, but why does that still sound sinister?”
“Because your dad’s pack are psychos?” Laurent suggests.
“Mainly that’s just Dad and my sister.”
When there’s a hard rap on the door, I startle. My heart jumps.
Automatically, Feral and I leap from the bed into a fighting stance.
On the other hand, River claps in delight.
“It’s here.” River excitedly pushes Laurent to the floor in front of the couch.
Then he gestures at Feral and me to join Laurent in a circle like we’re about to hold a ritual.
Possibly, summon a real Devil Alpha.
We blink at each other in confusion, as River bounces to the door and wrenches it open.
“Pizza delivery,” a deep, sarcastic voice says outside.
“Sorry that I don’t have a tip,” River jokes. “Hold on, okay. Let me put this down.”
He turns back to us, holding a wooden platter with a large pepperoni pizza.
My favorite.
Did my brother truly order this to be made for us?
I wish that Lionzio would come to visit me. I know that Alphas aren’t meant to during the bond leave, but Lionzio is my brother.
Family.
I’ve never cared that he’s adopted. He’s my true brother and much closer than Allegra has ever been to me.
Did Dad forbid him to?
My mouth waters at the delicious spicy, rich tomato scent of the pizza. I lick my lips at the sight of the melted cheese that has seeped down the sides.
River carefully carries the pizza back to us, before placing it down in the middle of the circle like it’s a sacrament.
“There’s enough for us all to have a slice.” River’s cheeks are flushed with pride that he can provide for his pack. Then he straightens with a flourish. “But there’s more.”
He runs back to the door. Then he struggles to hold the half a dozen bottles that the bored security Alpha passes over, along with a black cat bottle opener, before slamming the door in River’s face.
“He’s pissed that he didn’t get a tip.” I grin.
“How about: don’t slam the door on the customer next time,” Laurent drawls.
River carries the bottles of beer and soda across the bedroom, before settling between Laurent and me on the floor.
“Pizza and beer.” He places down the bottles. “A feast for my pack.”
I lay my hand on his knee. “It’s perfect, Riv.”
I tear a slice of hot pizza, which is dripping cheese, and pass it to our Chief Alpha.
Feral takes it like an offering, devouring it with relish that makes something deep inside me content.
I want him to eat like this every meal from now on.
Feral snatches up a beer, snapping off the cap with his canine. He passes it to River.
“Thanks, mio re. I’ve never had a beer before.” River nudges Laurent. “We can be drink ‘V’s together.”
Laurent looks unsure, picking up a slice of pizza and taking a neat bite instead.
Making a decision, I grab a bottle of beer and weigh it in my hand. “You never got to taste that beer in the bar, before you were snatched, right?”
Laurent’s expression tightens. “Serves me right for—”
“There was nothing wrong with wanting to prove your independence. You were celebrating your freedom from your mom. We can do it now, Sweet Thorn. Together .” I pick up the cat bottle opener, which I love because it represents my ring name, and lift the cap off with a flick of my wrist.
I hold it out to Laurent.
He freezes. “I’m not twenty-one.”
“This is the Underworld,” River whispers conspiratorially. “I hate to break it to you, la mia rosa, but we’re criminals.”
“You don’t say,” Laurent replies, dryly.
“You can drink in th-the Underworld, remember?” Feral finishes his slice, before grinning at Laurent wickedly. “Th-the age is eighteen here.”
Laurent purrs sinfully. “I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you corrupted me.”
“Huh, are you sure it’s that way around?” I ask.
Laurent smirks.
He also takes the bottle from me.
I love that River has provided Laurent the chance to reclaim this moment of freedom.
In fact, I love my brother for offering us all this final meal together.
Perhaps, Lionzio has spent the last nine days working through his feelings for River and has accepted that he’s now my bonded Beta.
Has my brother forgiven me, in the same way that River and I have forgiven him for his behavior?
I hope so.
Lionzio has certainly been helping us as much as he can this week. Anything that River has asked for, he’s given him.
I know how much Dad makes Lionzio pay for even small favors or displays of kindness.
The other members of my pack don’t know this, but Lionzio will have suffered this week for lending Harbinger his suit, giving River paper, or this pizza and beer tonight.
Yet he’s still done it.
Can I trust him? Enough to include him in our plan?
I slip a piece of pizza off the platter to give myself time to think. I take a satisfyingly large bite.
The meaty, cheesy taste bursts in my mouth. I groan, licking my lips.
Hell, that’s good.
River lifts up his bottle, waving it underneath Laurent’s pretty lips. “How about if we take turns taking sips from my bottle, la mia rosa?”
“Not a chance.” Laurent tilts up his chin. “I’m drinking my own damn beer, thanks.”
Laurent lifts the bottle and takes a large swig. Then he coughs and chokes.
I take a hurried bite of pizza to hide my smile.
Feral’s eyes glitter with amusement.
River pats Laurent on the back. “Okay.”
Laurent glares at the bottle like it’s poison. “Is this what everyone makes so much fuss about? It’s vile.”
He pulls a face, before passing the bottle back to me.
I waggle my eyebrows and take a long swig.
Yep, that hits the spot.
Pizza and beer is a rare treat for me, which is usually saved for after winning a fight. Being able to relax and have it now is special.
I’m trying to pretend like tomorrow my two Alphas won’t have to battle to win Laurent and officially be allowed to remain with my pack.
Like tomorrow there isn’t a chance that our bonds will be shattered.
We’ll be shattered.
I wipe my hand over my mouth, placing down my half-eaten pizza. “Are you going to lose your beer virginity, Riv?”
River sniffs at his beer, before shaking his head. “I don’t like the smell. Here, wash away the taste.”
He places down his beer, before twisting off the cap of a cloudy lemonade that he passes to Laurent.
River’s kind enough to miss this experience, in order to support Laurent.
Laurent smiles gratefully, as he takes a long drink of the sweet lemonade.
“Here.” I rip off one of the last pieces of the pizza, also the largest one. “Don’t forget to eat.”
I pass the slice to River.
The happiness that surges through the bond, when River munches on the pizza, is enough to make me stretch out, purring.
Feral pulls me against his strong chest, encircling me with his arms.
“Hmm,” River groans. This is food porn . Feral is watching the Beta with devilish eyes. “It’s hot still. It tastes so much better like this.”
Laurent’s watching River as well over the lip of the bottle. His expression is softer than I’ve seen.
Laurent gently reaches out with his thumb to brush a smear of tomato paste off the corner of River’s lower lip.
River blushes.
“What do you think Harbinger’s pack are feeding him?” Laurent asks, quietly.
My gaze shoots to him.
Laurent has been asking me about Harbinger every day. Sometimes, multiple times. I can tell that he’s often holding himself back, wanting to talk about him more.
I understand.
Laurent can’t feel our Alpha through the bond like I can. Although it’s hurt me, at least it’s not simply an absence like Laurent has.
We all miss Harbinger.
If there was any doubt that Harbinger is the Ferals’ genuine Second Alpha, there isn’t after we’ve had this trial nine days apart.
Each one of us has been in agony in our own way because of being separated.
We want him back.
No one answers.
We sit in silence, eating and drinking, lost in our own thoughts about what we could win or lose tomorrow.
We have a plan.
Laurent always has a plan, I’ve learned.
Yet so much could still go wrong.
River licks the grease off his fingers. “It’s strange. I’ve spent years plotting my revenge.”
“I know how that feels,” Laurent mutters.
“But now…” River glances around at us, as we sit on the floor, eating pepperoni pizza and drinking beer and sodas. “…all I want is this . More nights with the people who I love. What if I’ve finally found my family again, only to lose it?”
“Riv…” My expression crumples, as I hook my arm around his waist, pulling his head onto my shoulder.
“I’m here,” Feral snarls. “Never leave you. W-won’t lose you.”
“You won’t lose us.” Laurent’s hands tighten around the bottle. “But if anything does go wrong… I don’t want to die without having played Spin the Bottle.”
His serious expression fades, and he grins.
He downs his lemonade, before picking up the platter and placing it outside the circle.
My brow furrows. “What are you talking about?”
Feral cocks his head in confusion.
River, however, rocks in excitement. “Lion used to play this game at his sleepovers.”
Laurent places the bottle on its side in the middle of the circle. “Beer and pizza. Sitting in a circle like this. We can’t not play Spin the Bottle. The Betas in the Romeo Academy used to play this at the secret parties, which my friend Swan threw. You spin the bottle like this…” Laurent spins it. “And the person that it lands on…you kiss.”
My eyes light up. “I like this game.”
I especially like it, when the bottle lands on me.
Feral’s eyes, however, darken. “D-did you play?”
I roll my eyes at the possessive Alpha.
Laurent shakes his head. “I was the boss’ son and an Omega. How could I risk it? Mom would have…literally…killed me. But I always wished that I could have.”
I tap my lips, pointedly.
When Laurent slinks across the circle, my heart speeds up.
He grips me by the chin. Then he kisses me, slow and tender.
I raise my hand under Laurent’s suit jacket, caressing over his silky waistcoat to hold him in the kiss by his collar.
He deepens the kiss, as River whistles.
Finally, I let him go because we both need to breathe.
Laurent is flushed, but then, so am I.
Laurent’s eyes gleam. “So, do you like the game?”
“I love all your games.”
Laurent is smart enough to know I’m telling him that I love him , as much as I was with my kiss.
He sits back in his place. “Your turn to spin.”
Eagerly, I spin the bottle.
It lands on River.
“L’anima gemella, kiss me,” River’s voice is smooth with seduction.
He closes his eyes like he’s a sacrifice.
I run my fingers to the base of River’s neck. He shivers in pleasure. I tighten my hold and tug him into a kiss.
He opens to me as beautifully as a flower.
I take his sweet nectar, tasting everything that he’s offering.
He whines, and I kiss him more deeply.
I love you , I tell him with my kiss, I love you, love you…
At last, I pull back.
River’s blue eyes are glassy.
Still in a daze, he spins the bottle.
The bottle has barely stopped rocking, as it rests on Feral, before Feral dives on top of River.
Feral drags River onto his lap, kissing him like he’s both conquering and claiming him.
River submits as beautifully as he did to me.
There’s something more in Feral’s desperation, however, a sadness that I can feel washing through the bond.
Then Feral reaches for both Laurent and me. He drags us closer and then alternates kissing us.
He’s tender, rather than rough.
It feels like he’s saying something with each desperate but loving press of his lips.
Devastation slams through me.
Why do I get the feeling that this is Feral saying goodbye?