Page 108 of Alpha Claimed
River tried to keep herself breathing as her gaze came to rest on her former Alpha. He watched her with a mixture of pride and surprise. She thought about waving to him but nodded instead.
He nodded back.
Osmodius walked to the front of the room wearing a crisp black suit and white shirt. As he strode to the front, she noticed how alike his gate was to Ares'. The way he held himself. The way he dressed. All of it spoke of his noble breeding.
He gave all three of them a tight smile and a slight bow. Ares and Apollo nodded in return.
Osmodius turned to face the group. "Alphas of eastern Canada and the United States, we thank you for being here on such short notice."
River held back a snort. The trip hadn't cost the Alphas a penny. Ares and Apollo footed the bill for all of their airfare as well as their accommodations.
"Tonight is a night for great celebration. Tonight, we usher in a new era for both Lycans and shifters. Tonight, we welcome our new king and queen to their thrones. Long have we awaited this day. Ever since the death of my dear sister and her beloved Alpha, we have waited. Sometimes patiently. Sometimes, not so much. Until five weeks ago, it happened. While on a trip to New York, Prince Ares found her. Our Omega and the next Luna Queen. Princess River Whitetail."
Osmodius held out his hand to her, and River looked at it before taking it and stepping forward.
Altogether, the crowd left their chairs to kneel before her.
River swallowed hard. That wasn't what she'd expected. Looking over the audience, she realized that even Cherry, Strider, and Bianca knelt. She didn't like it.
"Please," said River. "That's-"
"Very generous of you all." Ares stepped next to her.
Apollo joined her on the other side as the Alphas lifted their heads.
"Please retake your seats," said Apollo. "Your loyalty is more than recognized and accepted."
Okay. So apparently, she still had a lot to learn about being the Luna of all shifterdom.
One by one, the group got back into their chairs.
"Now," Osmodius continued. "As you are all aware, Prince Ares is a twin. The younger of the two. Therefore, it was soon discovered that Princess River wasn't just mated to Prince Ares, but also, it seems, to Prince Apollo."
A wave of whispers crashed through the crowd.
"It is rare," Osmodius continued. "But not unheard of. Especially with identical twins. We gave Princess River one month to get to know both Princes in an effort to decide between them. And tonight, we shall learn who will become our next king."
Osmodius bowed to River before stepping to the side and out of River's line of sight.
All eyes landed on her, and she wished more than anything for a glass of water. Or a cola. Her stomach flipped at the prospect of speaking in front of so many people. This was nothing like showing her art to people. At least those people wanted to see her art; they hadn't been summoned, and they hadn't all stared at her simultaneously. They stared at her art.
"It's okay, Beloved. We're right here."
"Always, Kitten."
Both men took her hands in theirs, and she squeezed them tightly. As she looked out over the waiting crowd, the only thing she could think about was the young growing inside her already— a mom. She was going to be a mom. Was she ready to be a mom? Not that it mattered; it was happening.
She looked to Apollo. He would be a great father—attentive, kind, and fun. She looked to Ares. He, too, would be a great father—protective, fierce, and strong.
She swallowed hard and looked out over everyone. Her gaze landed on her mom.
"I am River Whitetail of the Silver Moon pack. And both Prince Ares and Prince Apollo are indeed my mates. And yes, I was told I needed to choose between them. However-"
The ballroom door crashed open, and Zeke raced in, blood splattered over his suit.
"Rogues," Zeke yelled.
River's gut plummeted. Quicker than light, Ares swooped her into his arms and headed for the wall behind them. Theo growled and rushed up behind them, barking orders at the other guards in the room.