Page 4 of Alpha Claimed

Ares triedto keep from losing it in front of River. Just the thought of her alone in the company of another male, especially his brother, scared him more than words could describe.

His whole life Apollo had tried to take everything Ares cared about. Their father's affection. Then their mother's. And now his fated mate's.

They lay on his bed, wrapped in each other's arms, listening to the clock ticking on the wall. She'd not spoken in almost thirty minutes, and the tension in her posture told him everything he needed to know.

"Tell me something about yourself," she said into his chest. "Something… special."

Special? What was special about him?

He thought for a moment. "When I was young, I used to have a favorite blanket. I took it everywhere with me. One day, it disappeared. I was devastated. My mother had made me the blanket out of her nightgowns."

River squeezed him. "Do you know what happened to it?"

"I have a pretty good idea."Apollo.

A knock on the door pulled their attention, and Ares looked at the clock. Four fifty-five.

"Come," he called.

Lachlan opened the door and peeked inside. "It's time, Highnesses."

"We're coming."

His wolf snarled and paced in his chest so hard that every ounce of his body focused on not shifting.

"I should go," she said. "I don't want to make him mad."

Ares tipped her chin, so she looked at him. "Who cares if he does?"

"I don't want him to hurt you."

"If he hurts you in any way, I will kill him. Elders or no elders."

She gave him a sad smile and then slid off the bed. He rose as well, but she stopped him.

"No. I don't want you to see this."

"River-"

She ran to him, slammed her lips into his, and quickly broke away.

"I should have let you mark me. I should have asked you to last night."

His heart shattered at her confession, and he pulled her close. "No, Beloved. We both know that you would have regretted it later if you had. This is better."

Her eyes narrowed. "You don't mean that."

Did he? "I do," he finally said. "This way, when you choose me, there will be no doubt in your mind."

CHAPTERTWO

APOLLO

Apollo leaned against the back of his bike, his eyes trained on the front door. He sniffed the air and caught her scent growing closer.

Good.

His wolf paced and growled at the thoughts of what she and Ares might have been doing upstairs.