Page 100 of Alpha Queen
Apollo studied River's face for a long moment, his golden eyes searching hers. Finally, he sighed. "One hour. You speak your piece, then we bring you straight back. And you stay in a wheelchair the entire time."
"Agreed," River said before he could add more conditions.
Ares growled, clearly unhappy but unwilling to argue further. "Fine. But we take every precaution. Full security detail. And at the first sign of trouble, we leave."
River nodded, relief washing over her. She hadn't been sure they would agree, and she'd been preparing for a much longer argument. "Thank you."
Dr. Keller shook her head disapprovingly. "I'll prepare something for pain and get a portable monitor ready. You'll wear it the entire time."
As the doctor left, Santiago pulled out his phone. "I'll let the Council know you're coming. And arrange transportation."
Cherry stood, determined. "I'll help you dress. Something that makes you look strong but doesn't put pressure on your wounds."
Left alone with her mates, River found herself the focus of twin golden gazes burning with protective intensity.
"Are you sure about this?" Apollo thumb tracing her palm.
River nodded. "I have to. Not just for the rogues, but for us." She looked between them. "I've seen the darkness in our world, and I can't unsee it. I can't pretend it doesn't exist. How can I be the High Luna and allow these things to continue?"
Ares moved to her other side, the mattress dipping under his weight as he sat. "We'll be right beside you. Every second."
River reached for his hand. "I'm counting on it."
The twins exchanged another look over her head, some unspoken communication passing between them.
"What?" River asked.
"We're just wondering," Apollo said. "Whether we are going to rule now or if you are."
"Don't get us wrong," said Ares. "I'd happily leave everything to you and just be your sexy arm candy from now on."
"Not me," said Apollo. "I'd be a stay-at-home dad."
Oh my goddess, were they serious?
Her wolf chuffed for the first time in weeks, making River chuckle.
"No. I don't want to rule. I don't want to be king, but if I am to be your queen, things have to change. Did you know Alphas were kicking out males they felt were competition?"
Apollo and Ares looked at each other.
"You did," she said. "How could you allow that to happen?"
"Beloved, we have a lot on our plates, small things here and there are not something we can get in the middle of. Do you know how much of our time would be consumed with that stuff?" said Ares.
River withdrew her hands from theirs and folded her arms. "If you want me to be your Luna, then you will make time. Several of those rogues were kicked out because the Alpha didn't like who they ended up with as a fated mate. They thought the males were not worthy enough, but that's not their call. It should never be their call. And a wolf shouldn't be banished to wander alone with no pack or family because of fate's decision. Or what about the female forced to mate the Alpha's son because he wanted her. He raped her. Over and over. And he did it all under the banner of the mating bond. She is forever damaged."
"We didn't know about that," said Apollo.
"Of course not. Who would tell you? A rogue? Would you have even listened?"
"Probably not," said Ares.
"Exactly. The whole society has to evolve, or we will end up with another rogue like Titan organizing and murdering people out of revenge. We can't look away. We need a system to handle this stuff. It's our duty to take care of everyone. Not just those with money or power. I know you don't see shifters as equal to Lycans, but they deserve the same rights as everyone else."
Ares smiled.
"What?"
