Page 41 of Alpha Claimed

"I need you calm to keep me calm."

Lachlan nodded.

"All right. Hand me the bottle."

He hesitated for only a second before handing it to her. She took a deep breath, then slammed the bottle to her lips, and gulped four times in quick order before taking a breath that made the fire in her lungs rival her shoulder.

Bennett returned with a bag and opened it on the counter. He pulled out several tools and then walked back to the table. He looked at the bottle and nodded.

River returned his nod, her head already fuzzing over. She grabbed Lachlan's hand, and Bennett looked at it before uncovering her shoulder.

"Ready?"

No.River nodded.

The pain exploded again as if she'd been shot all over again. She gripped Lachlan's hand so tightly he grimaced.

"Wow. You're strong."

She snorted.

Another pain shot through her, and she squeezed his hand again.

"Almost got it," said Bennett. "It's not as bad as I thought."

"You should feel it." River gritted her teeth. Her wolf yelped and whined in pain.

Come on, you big baby. You didn't even want to relinquish control. If I'd let you stay in charge, you'd have bitten Bennett's throat.

Minutes passed, and she began to sweat again, and her body shook.

"We're almost done," said Lachlan. "It'll just be another-"

"Got it."

A slight metal clink hit the table, and River's body relaxed. She gulped down air like she'd been underwater.

Bennett pressed a cotton pad to her shoulder and taped it down. Then he gathered the instruments, walked into the kitchen, and cleaned them in a sink.

She reached for the whiskey bottle, and Lachlan helped her bring it shakily to her mouth. Again, she gulped down several fiery mouthfuls.

Bennett returned. "How ya doing, Highness?"

"Not dead yet."

He smiled. "Let's keep it that way for all of our sakes."

Her eyes closed and then opened again. She'd not had that much to drink that fast since she'd turned nineteen.

"Lachlan?"

"Yes, Highness."

Her mind wandered, and she fought to remember where she was. "Where's Ares?"

"Uh…" He looked at her and then at someone else.

"Who are you again?" She looked at the other man.