Page 85 of Alpha Claimed

Cherry's gaze shifted to Strider, who gave her a reassuring nod.

Tell them. Tell them you failed.

Shut up!

Her wolf chuffed.

"Well," Ares demanded.

"I need to apologize," said Cherry.

"Damn right," said Ares. "You have no right to-"

"Not for that dipshit. I have to apologize for being so stupid as to think that my daughter could get through this life without me having to tell her every little thing and hold her freaking hand."

Ares and Apollo shared a look.

"What are you talking about?" asked Apollo.

Cherry looked at him. Though she didn't like either twin, Apollo at least seemed to have his crap together better than Ares. However, if Cherry had to choose one of them for River, it would have been Ares because at least she knew Ares was capable of keeping River safe.

"The pills. The ones that River takes."

"The blockers?"

Cherry nodded. "They aren't normal blockers. I had them specially made for River because she's an Omega. Specially designed to… block everything."

"Yeah, she told me. She didn't even meet her wolf until Titan arrived." Ares shook his head. "I don't understand. What does that have to do with River being sick?"

Apollo's eyes widened. "Shit. You don't mean-"

"Yeah." Cherry nodded. "She's going into heat."

Ares opened his mouth and then shut it again and turned away.

"Oh no." Strider stepped toward Cherry, but she shook her head to stop him.

She couldn't take his comfort. Not now that she'd messed up so bad. If he showed her an ounce of affection, she would break down in front of her would-be sons-in-law, and that could not happen. Not if she needed to convince them of what needed to happen next.

"What happens now?" asked Apollo.

"Now you send all of your unmated men out of the estate. I don't care how loyal they are to you. Because she isn't mated, her scent will drive all of them into a frenzy."

"That explains a lot," said Ares.

Apollo nodded. "We will have them out tonight."

Cherry nodded. "In the next hour would be best."

Ares looked at the door behind Cherry. "What about River? What do we do for her?"

"You? Well, you and your brother will be taking those big dicks you keep swinging around and put them to use easing her heat."

Ares spun around, and both brothers blinked.

"I'm sorry," said Apollo. "Did you say both of us?"

"I did."