Page 120 of Alpha Queen
River closed her eyes, sorrow mingling with her relief. So much loss, so much pain, all because of a system which had failed too many for too long.
"What happens now?" She opened her eyes to look between her mates.
"That's up to you," said Apollo.
River blinked, confused by Apollo's words. "What do you mean?"
"The rogues." Ares' thumb traced circles on her palm. "Their fate. The Council has agreed to follow your recommendation, given everything you've witnessed."
"My recommendation?" River echoed, the weight of such responsibility settling on her already exhausted shoulders. The thought of deciding the fate of dozens of lives, lives shaped by circumstances beyond their control, made her head swim.
Apollo nodded. "Whatever you believe is just. The Council will honor."
River looked between her mates, seeing the trust in their eyes, but also the expectation. They, too, waited for her to make a decision that would reshape their society and set a precedent that would echo through generations.
Fatigue clouded her thoughts. The twins' blood-spattered appearance, the knowledge of what had happened at the compound, and the memory of her ordeal all swirled together in an overwhelming tide that threatened to drag her under.
"I can't," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Not now. I just... I want to go home. Our home."
She looked at them pleadingly, suddenly desperate to be surrounded by familiar walls, to sleep in her bed, to feel truly safe for the first time in weeks.
"Please," she added. "I'm too tired to think about any of this right now."
Understanding softened Ares' expression. Without a word, he rose and gathered her carefully into his arms, cradling her against him as if she were made of glass.
"Home it is," he murmured.
Apollo moved ahead of them, opening doors and issuing quiet orders as Ares carried River through the safe house. The weight of decision-making lifted temporarily, and River allowed herself to sink into the comfort of her mate's embrace, her head resting against his skin.
Outside, the Northern lights painted the sky in deepening shades of pinks, greens, and blues. A convoy of vehicles waited, engines idling. Cherry appeared at the door.
"I'll go first," she said, squeezing River's hand as Ares passed. "Just to make sure everything's secure at the estate."
River nodded as Ares lowered her gently into the backseat of the lead SUV. Apollo slid in beside her, and she curled against him, seeking his warmth. He held her in a stiff embrace, and her wolf whined. Something had happened. Something Apollo wasn't ready to tell her about. But in time, he would. And she would give him time and space until he reached that point, just as he and Ares had done for her.
As the convoy pulled away from the house, River watched the building recede through the rear window. For days, it had been her sanctuary, but now it felt like just another prison she was leaving behind.
"Thank you," she whispered to both her mates. "For understanding."
Apollo pressed his lips to her temple. "You've been through enough. Everyone else can wait until you're ready."
The vehicle's headlights cut through the gathering darkness. River nestled between her mates. Ares shifted her gently until she cradled in his lap, her head resting against his broad abs. Apollo took her hand, his thumb rubbing across her knuckles.
A deep, resonant rumble began to vibrate through Ares, comforting her to the core. Apollo joined, his own purr harmonizing with his twin's, creating a cocoon of sound that wrapped around her like the safest of blankets.
River's eyelids grew heavy as the rhythmic vibration and gentle motion of the vehicle lulled her toward sleep. Her wolf fully relaxed for the first time in weeks. The babies within her seemed to settle too, as if also soothed by their fathers' presence.
"Rest, kitten," Apollo murmured, his fingers now tracing gentle patterns along her spine. "We'll be home soon."
The purring deepened, and River surrendered to exhaustion.
River woke to the sensation of movement, her body weightless in Ares' arms as he carried her up the grand staircase of their estate. Blinking drowsily, she recognized the familiar surroundings. The ornate woodwork, the family portraits lining the halls, and the subtle scent of smoke, leather, and warm wood that permeated their home.
"We're home," she murmured.
"Yes, beloved," Ares confirmed, his golden eyes warm as they met hers. "We're home."
Apollo moved ahead of them, opening the double doors to River's suite. The room welcomed her with its familiar comfort, her bed with its mountain of pillows, the door with new hardware, the window Apollo had crawled through to feed her.
