Page 44 of Alpha Claimed

RIVER

River awoke stiff and sore. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, and she wondered how long she'd been asleep. She rolled over, and her shoulder winced.

The door opened, and Apollo peeked his head in. He walked to her and pushed her tangled hair from her face. "How are you?"

"Tired. Sore. How about you?"

His face took on a perplexed expression. "I'm doing fine."

He looked at her shoulder, and his expression turned to sadness and anger.

"It's not your fault."

He shook his head but wouldn't meet her eye.

She lifted his chin so he looked at her. "It's not your fault."

He searched her face for a moment and then smiled at her. "Hungry?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Wait… Have you been checking on me every five minutes to see if I was awake?"

"No."

"Then how did you know I just woke up?"

A smile played across his lips, and he rubbed the back of his neck. "Uh… because the snoring stopped?"

"Snoring?" she said, horrified. "I do not snore."

"Of course not. You're right. I've just been coming in every five minutes."

She threw her hand over her face. How embarrassing could things get? Shot by a rogue. Drunk in front of Bennett and Lachlan. She said things she couldn't remember but was sure were embarrassing because she remembered them looking at each other several times. And now snoring in front of… well, everyone with wolf hearing.

"It's not a big deal. If it makes you feel better, you didn't drool."

She looked at him. "No. It doesn't."

He snorted. "I have no idea why snoring is such a big deal for females. Wait till I'm exhausted. I've been told my snoring can be heard on the other side of the estate."

She chuckled.

"Wait. Maybe I shouldn't have told you that. I am trying to win you over, after all."

"Don't worry. I'm not a light sleeper."

His eyes glittered, and he shoved his hands in his pockets. "So, food? I can send out for something. Whatever you want. Or we can go to the diner. Find a hamburger place. You name it."

Her stomach growled. "Bakery stuff sounds great. And also, maybe a hamburger. And the largest cola out there? Or two?"

He inclined his head. "Your wish is my command, Kitten." He winked at her and backed out of the room.

She sat up stiffly and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror across from the bed. Oh man, she needed a brush, or ten, to tame her crazy hair. She tried to run her fingers through it but couldn't even get them through an inch.

She was so screwed.

River slid off the bed and looked through the bags on the floor, cradling her injured arm against her. She picked a pair of terrycloth shorts and a heavy metal band t-shirt. Apollo knocked and then re-entered. River stood with the clothes.

"Let me help you with those." He ripped the tags off for her and then helped slip the t-shirt over her head.