Page 1 of Alpha Claimed

CHAPTERONE

RIVER

River sat at a large, highly polished wooden table. At one head seat sat Ares, and on the opposite side, Apollo sat in the head seat. River sat between them, with over five seats on either side of her. Across from her sat three older Lycans, all members of the Elder Council. The men stared at her, making her wolf pace uncomfortably.

"May I call you River, Highness?" asked one Elder.

"No," Ares and Apollo said together.

The tension in the air grew so thick that River didn't think she could have bitten through it with her fangs.

Her wolf whined, looking from Ares to Apollo and back again.

"Highness," repeated the Elder. "I am Osmodius, High Elder and uncle to Ares and Apollo. I welcome you to our lands and your new home."

River nodded and fiddled with the seam on her jeans.

"Highness, can you please try to explain what you are feeling?"

"Confused."

He nodded. "I'm sure you are. We all are."

"Is it even possible?" she asked. "That I could be both of their mates?"

Osmodius looked between the brothers and sighed. "It's… not unheard of, but it's exceedingly rare. But then, so are identical twins."

Ares slammed his fist into the table. "This is bullshit. She's mine. She said she's mine. I know she's mine."

Osmodius held up his hand. "I understand. But it is possible that you are not the only one she is right for."

"Tell them," Ares said. "Tell them you are mine, Beloved."

River looked at her hands. "It's true I did accept Ares."

"But he hasn't marked her," Apollo said. "That means the bond hasn't been completed."

River didn't like the pit that grew in her stomach as each moment passed.

"It's only because, due to my status, we knew that it was important to do things in the traditional manner," said Ares.

"But it hasn't been completed," Apollo said again.

Ares growled, and she glanced up at him. More than anything, she wished she could feel the comfort of his touch. As if sensing her distress, he stood and stepped toward her.

Apollo stood as well and growled. "Don't."

"Let's not get blood on your mother's favorite table, please," said Osmodius.

The brothers looked at each other, and then they both sat at the same time.

Identical faces. Identical mannerisms. Identical personalities. Great. Just great. River didn't now have just one overbearing Alpha to deal with; she had two. She just wanted to run away. To get on her motorcycle and ride back to New York.

Oh, wait. She didn't have her motorcycle.Dammit.Man… when her mom found out…

She sighed.

"I think there is only one good way to settle this," said Osmodius. "We must let Her Highness decide which mate to take."