Page 103 of Alpha Claimed

"Yes, Beloved."

She kissed him on the nose. "Good boy."

Ares growled as she lowered herself onto him.

Breakfast would have to wait. For how long was yet to be determined.

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

APOLLO

Apollo jumped from the SUV before it even came to a complete stop in front of the estate. Anxiety ripped at his gut. He raced up the stairs to the front door and threw it open, not even bothering to acknowledge the guards standing in the foyer. He strode up the stairs, marched down the River's door, and stopped abruptly. His stomach churned, and he fought the urge to throw up.

Cherry called him fifteen minutes before to tell him that River's need had passed and he could return. It had taken five minutes for Apollo to gather his things and ten to drive to the estate. The whole ride, he'd thought of nothing but seeing River and making sure she was all right. But now, standing outside her door, he wondered. Was Ares in there? Did she still want him? Had she bitten Ares? Given him up in favor of his more gregarious twin?

His wolf paced and grumbled.

Apollo knocked on the door. He had to know. Standing in the hallway wasn't going to get him any answers.

There was a shuffle of feet, and then the door opened.

At the sight of River, his wolf jumped and chuffed. Apollo couldn't help the smile that spread across his face at the sight of her.

She returned his smile and then stepped out and hugged him.

He took in the breath he hadn't even realized he held. He rested his cheek on her head and breathed in her scent.

Ours. Our mate.

Yes.

As Apollo held her, he realized that nothing had changed between them. Everything was just as they left it. She was still his, and he was still hers. Only now, Ares' scent lingered on her as well.

Apollo waited for the punch in the gut from the realization. The fear and anger. The snarl of his wolf. But none of them came. All that mattered was River being in his arms.

"Are you going to invite him in, or are you two just going to keep hugging in the hallway?" Ares called.

River let go of Apollo and smiled before pulling him down for a passionate kiss.

"Do that in his room, would ya?" Ares said.

River chuckled and went to take Apollo's hand. He looked down at it and held out a bag to her.

"What's this?" She opened the bag and squealed. "You found it!"

"Bennett kept it safe from Silas, who tried to steal it." He smiled as she popped fudge into her mouth and groaned.

"Oh my gosh, you were so right. This is the best fudge ever. I'm going to make you go back there to get me some every month."

"I'll go every week if you want. Every day."

She smiled. "We could ride your bike up there."

"It's a date."

She reached up on her tiptoes and rubbed her nose against his. Then she took Apollo's hand and led him into her room.

Confusion scoured Apollo's body as Ares lounged on her bed, a giant tray of fruit, cheese, sandwiches, and a second tray full of candy laid out next to him.