Page 57 of Alpha Marked

"I'm going to take a later flight. I have a few meetings left. But Lachlan and Zeke will make sure you arrive safely."

"Oh."

He wanted nothing more than to hold her. To crush her into his body. To take in her heavenly aroma and rub it all over himself.

The elevator doors began to shut, and he reached out to stop them and nodded for Santiago and Theo to get in. He entered the elevator, and Theo hit the button for the lobby.

"Where are you going?" River blurted. "I didn't think you went to meetings so casually dressed."

"I'm not going to a meeting." He wanted to ask her to join him but didn't. Mostly because he didn't think he could take her rejection.

The doors began to close, and as they did, she said, "Bye."

Ares shut his eyes and reclined against the wall of the elevator. His wolf told him to go up and talk to her. Nothing about her demeanor had tried to shut him down.

Instead, he walked into the lobby.

"Where to?" Santiago asked again.

"A club. Any club. Just make sure it's loud and crowded."

CHAPTERELEVEN

The elevator doors closed, and River's wolf whined.

Ares' cologne lingered, making her body heat with desire. The past days without him had almost been unbearable. Her heart and mind had battled minute by minute as to whether she should go to him. Everything mixed inside her.

Her body and wolf wanted Ares. Wanted to feel his skin and taste his breath. But she couldn't trust the parts of her that wanted to explore every muscular inch of his form. An even more imposing and deliciously sexy form in his tight T-shirt and jeans.

His temper knew no bounds, and when he lost it, she couldn't help the terror that made her worry he might strike her or, worse, take her against her will.

"Are you okay?" Lachlan asked from the door of the suite.

She turned to him. "Where did Ares go?"

"Uh… I'm not sure to be honest."

"He wasn't dressed like he usually is for meetings."

"He doesn't have a meeting tonight. They finished earlier this evening."

River bit the inside of her lip. "He said he is leaving on a later flight than we are."

Lachlan nodded. "He has some meetings to finish up, Highness."

River sighed. "How many times have I told you not to call me that?"

"Thirty-six, Highness."

River snorted and momentarily glanced back at the elevator.

"Are you hungry?"

River shook her head. "No thanks."

Over the past few days, she'd gotten to know Lachlan, Isaac, and Zeke. Lachlan had played cards with her and taught her about the ways of the Lycans. Isaac had told her about the estate and what Montreal had to offer. Both had been her constant shadows, though somehow, in their presence, she'd been more comfortable than with Ares. Even so, despite being hot and huge, there wasn't one ounce of attraction to either of them.

Ares. Ares mate.