Page 38 of Alpha Claimed

Regan and Thomas shifted and tore off in different directions.

Apollo approached the cabin, and Lachlan ran up to them.

"No. No. No. Oh shit. Ares is going to kill me," he said.

"Get in line," Apollo growled.

He kicked open the cabin door and ran to the couch. Gently as he could, he lay River on the fabric before running to get her a blanket. He returned, and his mind couldn't focus. The scent of her blood sent his wolf into a frenzy. Killing the humans hadn't been enough. He should have done more. Worse.

"What happened?"

They'd shot her. His River. Apollo's wolf wanted to hunt down Titan and rip him limb from limb.

"Highness," Bennett entered with a kit.

Apollo looked up at him.

"May I look at her?" Bennett asked.

Apollo continued to stare for a minute, and then he backed away.

Bennett approached her carefully and knelt by the couch. He lifted the blanket, and Apollo growled.

Bennett stopped and looked at Apollo. "Highness, maybe this would be easier if you left."

"No," he bellowed.

Bennett didn't flinch.

"Maybe put some pants on then?" he offered.

River shook with pain. Apollo reached for her and kissed her paw. "I'm not leaving her again. Not for a minute."

Bennett sighed and looked to River. "I'm sorry, Highness, but I must look at your wound. Is that all right?"

Apollo growled, but River nodded.

Bennett picked up the blanket, now soaked in blood, and spread her fur to look at her shoulder.

She cried out.

Apollo grabbed Bennett's arm, his nails lengthening.

Bennett looked down at Apollo's grip and then into his eyes. "I need to see if the bullet is still in there." His voice and eyes remained calm.

Apollo let go. His brain screamed that he knew these things needed to be done, but his wolf wanted no part of it. He waited so close to the surface that Apollo almost couldn't control the shift ripples wracking his body.

"It's still in there," said Bennett.

Apollo let out a string of curses so loud that the windows shook.

"I'm sorry, Kitten."

Bennett and Apollo changed places, and Apollo stroked her mane. Apollo closed his eyes and bowed his head next to River's. How could he have let this happen? He had just found her and already couldn't take care of her. Maybe he'd be better off just letting Ares have her. Ares never would have let something like this happen.

River nudged him with her nose and then licked his forehead.

He looked up at her bright green eyes.