Page 47 of Alpha Claimed

"River!" Ares called.

Apollo looked at her, entered the hall, and closed the bedroom door.

"Where is she?" Ares demanded. "River? Where are you?"

"You aren't supposed to be here," Apollo said.

"And what? I should just leave my mate with you to die?"

"My mate is doing just fine. She is resting right, and your shouting won't make her any better."

"Where is she?" Ares growled.

"You need to leave."

Feet scuffled, and then a roar shook the walls.

River scooted to the edge of the bed and hurried to the door. She opened it to find Ares and Apollo fighting.

Again.

"Ares," she called. "Ares, stop!"

Immediately, Ares turned to her, shoved Apollo to the floor, and ran to where she stood. He stopped short of pulling her into a hug and instead leaned in and sniffed her.

A whine escaped his lips. "Beloved," he whispered.

He lowered his head to her neck and sniffed to her injured shoulder.

"Show me."

She pulled the collar of the t-shirt down, revealing the large bandage. He tugged at the medical tape and looked at the wound.

"It isn't healed yet. Why isn't it healed?" Worry tinged his voice, bordering on panic.

"It won't be healed for a day or so."

"But-"

"I'm a shifter, not Lycan. I heal slower."

He nodded and dropped to his knees. River's gaze connected with Apollo's. He barely held it together.

Ares wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her stomach like before.

She'd just touched his hair when he jumped to his feet again.

"You did this. This is your fault." He took a step toward Apollo, but River grabbed his hand.

"No. It's my fault."

Both men looked at her.

"I… I wanted to sleep out there. And when the rogues arrived, I… got confused. I didn't realize what they were."

"But-"

"It's my fault," she insisted.