Page 109 of Alpha Claimed

Apollo pushed in front of River and Ares with Bennett and punched a wainscoting panel. It swung inward, and just as she and Ares reached it, a light flickered inside. Everyone stopped.

A scent assaulted her nose, and River's wolf went haywire.

No. No. Not him.

A prominent figure stepped out of the hole in the wall, and Ares backed up while Apollo and Bennett shielded her from view. Her mates growled, and their fangs lengthened along with their nails.

Bennett pulled his gun, and a shot rang out, but it wasn't from Bennett. He hit his knees and dropped to the floor.

River screamed, and Ares hugged her tighter.

Apollo roared and bent to Bennett, but River couldn't see his condition.

Yelling ensued behind them. Chairs crashed over, and Alphas howled and roared. River looked over Ares' shoulder to see the Alphas pushing their mates behind them. Her mom jumped in front of Bianca and Strider. Zeke grabbed Bianca and pulled his gun. The doors burst open, and a mob of rogues prowled in.

This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

River's wolf snarled and clawed to be let out.

"Isn't this a lovely party? I think I missed my invitation."

River squeezed tight against Ares' chest at the sound of Titan's voice.

"You're dead." Apollo jumped to his feet and leaped at Titan, but Titan raised his gun, and dozens of rogues poured out of the passageway behind him.

Titan snorted. "Wow, little brother. You finally found your balls. Did Ares give them back?"

Apollo growled and stepped forward, and River heard the click of a gun.

Her wolf cried out, and River grabbed Apollo's sleeve. He covered her hand but didn't turn.

"Why don't you put my mate down, Ares," said Titan.

Mate? She wasn't his mate. She'd rejected him.

"You're mistaken, Titan. River belongs to Apollo and I. The deal was sealed a month ago between us."

"Wow! You two? Share? That's… new." Titan snorted.

Behind them, the standoff between the Alphas and the rogues grew tense as everyone waited.

Apollo backed up, pushing Ares and River with him as he went. They all stopped when they bumped into the thrones.

River's heart hammered, and her nails and fangs elongated.

"Leave now," said Apollo. "And we'll spare your life only."

Titan laughed, making River's gut tighten. "I'll make you the same deal. You leave now, and I'll spare you. Wouldn't you like that, Apollo? To not live in Ares's long, arrogant shadow?"

Ares growled, and River pulled on Apollo's sleeve again.

Apollo looked at her, his eyes black as midnight. He touched her cheek.

A deep, sickening feeling lodged in River's gut, and her wolf whined.

Apollo kissed her palm. "I love you, River. I am yours forever. Remember that." His gaze connected with Ares. "Run."

Apollo turned and swung at Titan. Titan dodged and slammed the butt of the gun into the back of Apollo's skull.