Page 50 of Alpha Claimed

"So… do we have to go back?"

Her use of the words 'have to' made his wolf smile. "That's up to you."

"Won't the council get mad?"

"They can get mad all they want, but ultimately, it's your decision, and they won't go against what you want."

She chewed the inside of her cheek.

"Would you like to go back?"

She sucked in a large breath. "I like it here. I like the quiet. It reminds me of home."

"Of Soho?"

"No. The home where my dad raised me."

He couldn't help but smile.

She stepped forward and laid her head on his chest.

Apollo froze and then wrapped his arms around her small frame.

"I'm sorry Ares attacked you again," she said. "I don't want to come between you two."

"Trust me, we've had twenty-eight years' worth of things that came between us before you came along. And I'm sure there will be over twenty-eight years more."

He leaned in and kissed the top of her head. She looked up at him, her eyes alight. He ran his finger down her cheek, bent down, and gently pressed his lips to hers. Then he rubbed his nose against hers and pulled her into a hug again.

"I've wanted to do that since the first moment I smelled you," he said.

"Rub my nose against yours?"

His wolf chuffed.

"It's something my father used to do to my mother all the time before he left on a trip."

Apollo lifted her chin. He bent in and kissed her again, but this time, he pressed his lips on hers more forcefully. He parted her lips with his tongue, and the taste of her swirled in his mouth, making his wolf howl. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and she pressed closer to him.

A white ribbon snaked around his wolf's ankle.

River gasped, and Apollo looked down at her and smiled. Their bond was strengthening.

"You feel it." He could barely get the words out. All he wanted was her.

She nodded, and he kissed her again. His. She was his, and he was hers. There was no denying it.

Mine. My Omega.

Apollo kissed her like it was the most essential thing in his life. He needed her to know and had to show her what she meant to him. To prove to her that he was the one for her.

A cough came from the doorway, and River stepped away.

Apollo growled and looked to the door. Lachlan held a bag of food.

"Uh… Prince Ares wanted me to bring you something to eat. To help her highness heal quicker."

Of course, he did. More like he just wanted Lachlan to spy on them and report back.