Page 67 of Alpha Claimed

"Come on," said Apollo. "Let's go create your private shelf in the pantry."

She elbowed him and pulled her hand away. "You are so funny."

He chuckled. "Usually." He retook her hand and led her toward the pantry.

Embarrassment still wafted off her, and she mumbled about not eating that much candy.

* * *

RIVER

River couldn't believethe embarrassment she endured at her family's hands in front of Apollo. Okay, so she liked her sweets. It wasn't like she was shooting cola or anything. However, she had snorted Pixie Stix once. That had been painful.

Apollo carried a bag of goodies for her as he led her out of the back of the estate and onto the back lawn.

"Where's my fudge?" she asked.

"What?"

"My fudge. And my bag of candy. I never did get those back when we were at the cabin."

Apollo's eyes narrowed. "You know, I never got mine back either."

She snorted. "Well, from how I saw the guys digging into your bag after they took it from you, I'm not surprised. But I am surprised they ate mine."

"They wouldn't dare. I'll be sure to find it for you tonight."

She smiled. "You better, or I'm going to make them go back and get me more."

He nodded. "I'll make them walk to get it."

"Nah. That would take too long."

"True."

A huge fountain took up residence just beyond an expansive patio that wrapped around the entire back of the estate. As they walked down the stone steps and passed the fountain, she noted several enormous koi fish swimming inside it.

"Don't they freeze in the winter here?"

"No. We keep it heated for them all year into the fall, but when it gets too cold, we have a room inside with a large tank that they are moved to."

It surprised her that they took so much care of fish.

They walked beyond the fountain and down toward a large pool.

"Do you ever use the pool?"

"Me? No. Ares does occasionally. Mostly, we kept it because my parents used to have large parties back when they were alive, and the pack leaders loved the pool."

"Maybe it will be that way again once there is a king."

"Maybe. Though I can't see Ares holding pool parties."

River looked up at Apollo. It struck her that Apollo thought Ares would be the next king and not himself.

They headed through rows of flowerbeds toward a building near the back of the lawn.

"Where are we going?" she asked.