Page 80 of Alpha Claimed

Don't. Like. Mine.

What the hell was wrong with everyone all of a sudden?

"What?" Ares demanded.

"Uh… nothing, Highness."

Ares growled and stepped into the front hallway. He looked at River. In the light, her face had grown pinker than it should be.

"Please get Princess River's mother and bring her to River's room."

Ares did not want to deal with Cherry, but things would be a hundred times worse if he didn't tell her.

Ares ascended the stairs and walked down the hallway to River's room.

She stirred in his arms. "Are we home?"

"Yes, Beloved."

She scrunched up her face and scratched her neck. "I'm hot."

"I know. It's okay. I'll get you some medicine and water."

She moaned, and his wolf paced and whined.

Ares shoved open the double doors to her room, hoping he wouldn't need to call a locksmith for the second time in twenty-four hours. He strode to her bed and laid her on it. He removed his coat from her shoulders, then removed her heels and set them on the floor.

"Highness?"

Ares turned to find Lachlan in the doorway.

He kissed River's forehead. "I'll be right back."

He hurried to the doors and closed them as he stepped into the hall.

"You were there when the bullet was taken out, right?"

Lachlan looked at the closed door. "Yes."

"Who took it out?"

"Bennett."

"Did he get it all out? The whole thing?"

Lachlan's eyebrows smashed together. "I'm sure he did."

"Did he, or didn't he?"

Lachlan blinked rapidly.

"I'm sorry." Ares wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm sorry. But it's important."

Lachlan thought for a minute and then shook his head. "I thought he did. The bullet looked pretty intact."

"But it's possible he didn't?"

"It's possible."