Page 106 of Alpha Claimed

"What's wrong with you? Have you finally lost it?"

River continued to laugh as Cherry watched her in confusion. As tears leaked from River's eyes, she snorted and then blew out a breath.

"You want to tell me what is so hysterical?" Cherry cocked an eyebrow.

"Yeah. You're gonna be a grandma."

Cherry's expression fell.

"Grandma Cherry."

Cherry shook her head. "Nope. No way."

"Nana Cherry."

She held up her hands. "Stop."

"Grandmother Cherry."

Cherry growled. "I brought you into this world, girl, and I will knock you right out of it."

River tried to stifle her giggles.

Cherry raised her hand as if to slap River.

River opened her mouth, and Cherry cocked her hand back. River snickered and then waited until Cherry dropped her hand.

"Granny Cherry!"

"That's it. You're dead."

River squealed and laughed as she raced to the door of her room. She threw it open and ran smack into Ares and Apollo.

The two looked between them quizzically.

"And what are you two up to?" Ares cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm about to kill my daughter."

Apollo tsked. "Sorry, Cherry, that will have to wait for another day. Right now, we have a crowd of hungry Alphas waiting downstairs. And you know they can't eat until after we announce River's big news."

"And," said Ares. "Hungry Alphas is never a good thing."

"Yeah," said Cherry. "About River'sbig news."

"Okay," said River. "Give me just a minute, and I'll be ready. My mom just has to finish zipping me up." Without pretense, she slammed the door on her mates and rounded on Cherry.

"Don't you dare tell them. Don't you dare. This is my business, not yours. Got it?" she mouthed.

Cherry rolled her eyes. "I wasn't going to tell them."

"Promise," River whispered.

Cherry shook her head. "You're being silly."

"Promise." River took a step toward her mother.

"Fine. I promise."