Page 110 of Alpha Claimed

River screamed as Ares dashed to the edge of the platform.

A shot rang out behind them, and River twisted in Ares's arms.

"Apollo!"

But the gun wasn't aimed at Apollo. Ares grimaced, his leg buckled, and he almost dropped her. Ares roared as the smell of blood tinged the air. Blood and something metal and bitter. Ares tried to get up, but his knee buckled again. He reached down, and River slid from his arms.

"Yes, run," Titan mocked. "But leave my Omega."

The bullet wound had no doubt shattered Ares' knee. River raced to a nearby curtain, ripped a strip off it, and then ran back and tied it tightly around the wound. A sickly green color mixed with black oozed out of the bullet hole.

Silver and wolfsbane.

"No." Ares tried to push her away. "Run, Beloved. Run and don't come back. We'll find you. I promise."

River hesitated for only a second, but it was all Titan needed. By the time she'd gotten back to her feet, he grabbed her around the waist and jerked her against him.

Again, Ares fought to stand. "Let go of her before I rip your head off."

Titan snorted and shot Ares a second time.

Ares roared in pain and grabbed his shoulder.

"Stop it!" River struggled against Titan's grip and then sunk her teeth into his arm as hard as possible. His blood sprayed into her mouth, and he let out a grunt. She reached for her knives, but she'd forgotten them in her room.

Titan cocked his gun again. "Stop fighting me, or I'll shoot him in the head."

River let go of Titan's arm and spit on the floor. Ares got to his feet shakily, blood soaking through his suit.

An Alpha growled, and a rogue shot forward.

"Wait!" Titan commanded.

The rogue stopped. All eyes went to Titan.

"Now." Titan turned sideways so River could see the Alphas as well as Apollo and Ares. "I'm a reasonable Alpha, so here's what we'll do. I'll let River decide if she wants to come with me or stay with the two of you."

"Fine," said Ares. "Ask her. Ask River where she'd rather be."

Apollo lumbered over to the group, blood dripping from his head down over his shoulder as well as from his side.

Titan turned sideways so River could see both the Alphas as well as Apollo and Ares. He leaned in close to River until his breath hit the side of her neck.

River froze at the memory of him on top of her, his fangs sinking into her skin, but her wolf went into a frenzy.

"Come with me, and I'll let them live. Don't, and I'll kill them both and take you anyway."

River's wolf froze.

"Look out the window."

River shifted her gaze to the large picture window. Titan lifted one finger, and a red dot appeared through the glass. It shone right in the middle of Ares's head.

"No," she growled.

Titan held up two fingers, and another dot appeared on Apollo's shirt at his heart. Apollo looked down and then to Titan. He roared and took a step forward.

Titan pointed the gun at River's head. "I wouldn't."