Page 49 of Alpha Claimed

She nodded and wrapped her arm around her middle.

"Can I get you anything?"

She shook her head. He grabbed a throw from the back of the couch and walked to her, wrapping it around her shoulders.

"Thank you," she said dryly.

His hands lingered on her arms. "It's I who needs to thank you."

"For what?"

"Lying to Ares. We both know it's my fault."

Her brow furrowed. "I told the truth."

"But if I hadn't left-"

"Then maybe you would have been shot first. I would be dead if it weren't for you coming when you did."

He searched her face, but it remained a mask.

She looked around. "Where are Ares and the others?"

"In a different cabin. He refused to leave."

She pushed her hair behind her ear. "Do you know how he found out?"

"I have an idea," he growled.

She nodded. "Lachlan."

"He went into town to get the food, and Ares showed up only a few hours later."

She blew out a harsh breath. Damn, she wished Lachlan hadn't done that. It would make it that much harder for Apollo to like him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked him to come."

"Trust me, any of Ares guards would have done the same as would mine."

The tension released from her posture a fraction.

"River, I want to apologize for earlier. It was wrong of me to try to make you choose between Ares and myself. It was-"

"Egotistical?"

"Yes."

"Childish?"

"Definitely."

"Selfish?"

"Absolutely." He nodded.

Her shoulders sagged, and she gave him a sad smile. "Thank you."

He took her hand and kissed her knuckles.