Page 133 of Alpha Queen
"Apollo?"
"Coming, kitten."
Apollo walked back and handed the glass to River. She downed half of it and then set it on the hearth.
She searched his face and sat up. "What is it?" she asked. "What can I do to help?"
Apollo shook his head. "I just wish we could stay here, but they are expecting us back tonight."
She stroked his hair and pulled his lips to hers. "Then let's make the most of the time we have."
River rolled on her back and pulled him to her. His body hardened in an instant as he claimed her mouth, and everything else floated away except for him and River.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
RIVER
River's leg bounced as she tried to calm her nerves, knowing what she and the others were getting ready to do.
Apollo grabbed one hand, and Ares grabbed the other as the three of them sat in the same room that just a month prior had been filled with Alphas, Betas, and mates, as well as dozens of attacking rogues. On either side of them sat the council members. And sitting where they had previously, Alphas, Betas, and mates waited to hear the judgment she, Apollo, Ares, and the Council pronounced on Titan, Vanessa, Rudy, and Kane.
The audience spoke softly to themselves as they waited.
Ares kissed River's knuckles. "Don't worry, he can't hurt you."
She nodded. "I know."
"I'd be more worried about me hurting him," said Apollo.
Her wolf paced, agitated, and impatient.
River squeezed his hand. "You'll have to beat me to it." Suddenly, she felt stronger than she had in weeks.
The doors to the ballroom opened, and Zeke, Thomas, Silas, Santiago, and Theo walked in a shackled, bloodied, and bruised Titan. Duncan and Regan brought in a cuffed and disheveled-looking Vanessa. And Lachlan, Isaac, and Drew walked behind Kane and Rudy, who wore handcuffs but not silver ones. Only Kane had showered and wore clean clothes. River hadn't asked about him in the previous week, but it pleased her to know that he hadn't been mistreated.
Everyone turned as they entered. Most of the Alphas and Betas growled and bared their teeth as they passed. Several spit on the floor or on Titan. Words like bastard, traitor, and disgrace were thrown around like beads at Mardi Gras.
When Titan, Rudy, and Vanessa stopped at the front of the room, the guards pushed them to their knees. Titan looked up straight at River, his eyes boring into her. She wanted to look away, wanted to swallow the rock lodged in her throat, wanted to scream. She reached instinctively for the knife she had strapped at her thigh. The outline of it in its holder comforting her. She stared right back at Titan like the High Luna she was.
"Bow your heads in front of your Kings and High Luna," said Osmodius.
Vanessa bowed as low as she could, but Titan continued to stare at River through his one good eye.
Santiago bashed Titan in the back of the head with the butt of his gun. "Bow."
Titan's eyes blackened, and it wasn't until River used her golden Luna gaze that he begrudgingly inclined his head.
Mercule rose to his feet, his voice commanding the attention of everyone in the chamber. "We have gathered here today to witness the trials of Vanessa, Kane, Rudy, and Titan, who stand accused of crimes against the Crown and the wolf society. Justice will be served according to our laws, tempered with the wisdom of our kings and High Luna."
The room fell silent as all eyes turned to the prisoners kneeling before the royal family.
"We will begin with Vanessa," Mercule announced, gesturing toward the disheveled female.
Apollo stood, his golden eyes cold. "Vanessa Blackpaw, you stand accused of treason against the Crown, conspiracy to kidnap the High Luna, and aiding in the imprisonment of High Luna River Wolvenguard. You helped orchestrate the attack at our mating ceremony by shutting down cameras beforehand and weakening the exterior perimeter at the Wolvenguard estate. The resulting attack ended in the deaths of numerous Alphas, Betas, and their mates."
Vanessa's head remained bowed, her shoulders trembling slightly.
"Furthermore, you deliberately manipulated information to serve Titan's cause, knowing full well the harm it would bring to innocent wolves as well as the royal family."
