Page 34 of Alpha Claimed

She dried her eyes and giggled a few more times. "Well, it's a sight I will never forget, but also that I never need to see again."

A wicked twinkle settled in his eyes. "Does that mean you want me to take them off?"

"Of course."

"Okay. If you want me naked…" He reached for the waistband.

"That's not… I mean… Yes, take them off, but put your sweats back on."

He tsked. "You are no fun at all."

"I'm tons of fun."

"Okay, let's do something fun then."

"A board game?"

He nodded.

"I'll play a board game, but only if I get to pick the next movie."

Apollo smiled his amazing crooked grin. "Deal."

* * *

APOLLO

After River beatApollo three consecutive times in three separate games, he decided it was time to try something else.

"Want to go outside for a run?"

"Isn't it too light?"

"Why would it be too light outside? This is my property. We can do whatever I want."

Apollo watched River for a minute, thinking she might say no. But finally, she stood and stretched.

"A run would be nice. Who knows how long it'll be until I can run again."

"What do you mean?" Apollo asked.

"I mean, I don't know anything about the estate. I don't know if I can run there. I don't know if it's safe. I don't know if I have to go somewhere else. Who knows if you'll have ten million bodyguards watching me so I can never go."

They walked outside and waited until they'd gotten into the trees before changing out of their clothes. Despite all that had happened between them, River was still modest and insisted he go behind a tree while she changed. It made him smile.

He couldn't believe her mom put her through so much, and then after that, not even knowing that you're an Omega, only to find out because somebody bit you. He couldn't imagine what that would be like.

"I'm done," River called.

"Almost finished."

He heard a shuffling noise, and then he shifted. When he peeked around the tree, she stood in her beautiful silvery glory. He'd never seen a more beautiful wolf in his entire life. To Apollo, she was everything. She walked up to him tentatively, stopped, and then nipped at his front leg before darting off with a chuff.

Oh, so that's how the run's gonna go.

His wolf howled in delight.

The chase was on.