Page 119 of Alpha Queen
"So we just walk away?" asked Elkan. "Pretend all of this never happened?"
"No," said Apollo. "You wait until you are called to testify."
"About what they did?"
"About what you did."
The Alphas and Betas looked at each other.
"You want justice? So do we. For everyone," Apollo finished.
Several of the Alphas looked unsure as they backed away.
Screams and pleading rang out behind them, and everyone turned. Theo and Zeke held a woman between them, crying and struggling to get free.
They dragged her down the steps and threw her at Ares' feet.
She crawled to him on her knees, head down. "Ares, please…"
Apollo yanked her to her feet.
Makeup melted down her face as she tried to grab onto him. "Apollo, please. Don't hurt me. Please… I… I…"
Apollo smiled at her. "I'm not going to hurt you. Your fate, like that of Titan and Kane, will be left to our mate, High Luna, River Wolvenguard."
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
RIVER
The sound of the front door opening woke River from her fitful sleep. She blinked groggily, disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. Her body still ached, the wound on her thigh throbbing beneath its bandages as she pushed herself up against the pillows.
Voices murmured in the hallway. Cherry's sharp tone, followed by the deeper rumble of her mates. River's heart quickened as footsteps neared her door, her wolf stirring anxiously.
When the door swung inward, Ares entered first, his bulky frame filling the doorway, followed closely by Apollo. River's breath caught at the sight of them. Apollo's crisp white shirt had soaked dark crimson, and droplets of blood marred his face, neck, and hands. His golden eyes appeared haunted and distant.
"Apollo!" River gasped, throwing back the covers and struggling to her feet despite Dr. Keller's strict instructions to stay in bed. She stumbled forward. "You're hurt!"
Apollo moved swiftly across the room, catching her before she fell. "I'm fine, kitten," he assured her, his voice gentle as he guided her back to the bed. "It's not my blood."
River's trembling hands reached for his face, her fingers tracing his features to confirm for herself he was unharmed. "Whose then?" she whispered, searching his eyes. "What happened?"
Ares sat on her other side. "It's over, beloved," he said, his voice rough with exhaustion. "We got him."
River's chest squeezed, and bile scorched her throat.
"Titan?" River asked. "You got him?"
Apollo nodded, his jaw tightening. "He's in a cell. Silver restraints, heavily guarded."
River sank against the pillows, relief washing through her in dizzying waves. For a moment, none of them spoke, the weight of everything that had happened, everything they had endured, settling around them like a heavy cloak.
"And the others?" River asked, remembering the rogues. "Kane? The ones who surrendered?"
"Also in custody." Ares took her hand in his. "No one who surrendered was harmed."
River nodded, gratitude swelling in her breast. "And those who didn't surrender?"
Apollo and Ares exchanged a glance that answered for them.
