Page 146 of Alpha Queen
RIVER
River's eyes flew open at six-o-six a.m. Her wolf howled as the red ribbon burned into her leg. River breathed in deep, trying to orient herself, and then as soon as it started, the burning stopped, and the ribbon faded away. River took several deep breaths as all sensation returned to normal, as if the red ribbon connecting her to Titan had never existed. River and her wolf both sighed in relief. A sigh so large that it had been as if she'd been holding it in for over four and a half years. A strange sensation raced through her, and it took her a minute to realize what it was: freedom. She was finally free. Which could only mean one thing- Titan was dead.
A sob escaped her, and then another before a laugh. Her emotions mixed together, and she couldn't process them. She was free from Titan. Free and bound only to Ares and Apollo. She didn't have to worry that he was coming for her. Didn't have to worry about him taking her babies. Didn't have to look over her shoulder every time she left the estate. Wouldn't jump in the night when something creaked or groaned. Wouldn't ever have to worry about falling asleep in her home and waking up in the makeshift prison again. Most of all, she didn't have to worry about losing Ares or Apollo to Titan Longtooth ever again.
The door to River's bedroom swung open, and Ares and Apollo entered, their faces somber, their suits immaculate except for the dark stains on Ares' white shirt, throat, and chin partially concealed by his jacket.
"River," Apollo said, concern crossing his face. "You're awake."
She nodded, muting the television. "Are you both okay?"
They approached the bed, one on each side, sitting beside her.
"We should be asking you that." Ares reached for her hand.
River met his gaze. "He's dead. I felt it happen. The red ribbon that's been binding my wolf to his since he bit me burned away. I woke up the moment it happened."
"Yes," Apollo confirmed softly. "It's done."
River's composure broke in a surge of relief so powerful it overwhelmed her. Even though the bond was gone and it had burned away, hearing them say the words made it real. She threw her arms around both of them, pulling them close. The scent of blood and death clung to Ares, but she didn't flinch. It was over.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you both for keeping us safe, for ending this nightmare."
Ares' strong arms enveloped her, his lips pressing against her hair. "Always, beloved."
"But let's be real," said Apollo. "You kept yourself safe. Yes, we would have found you, but we didn't have to because you saved you."
River nodded. She didn't want to give herself any credit for escaping. If she were to credit anyone, it was her wolf. Her wolf had saved them.
Thank you.
Her wolf chuffed. Thank you.
For the first time, something passed between River and her wolf. A connection that hadn't been there before. A feeling of oneness. Of being whole.
"Are you both really okay?" She pulled back to search their faces.
"We're fine," Apollo assured her, though his eyes held shadows of what they'd all been through.
River's gaze lingered on the bloodstains on Ares' shirt. She didn't ask about them and didn't need to know the details. All that mattered was that Titan was gone, and her mates had returned to her.
Ares pulled his shirt from his skin. "I should shower," he said, his voice rough.
"I'll go with you." River slid from the bed, not prepared to let either of them out of her sight, especially not Ares.
Apollo smiled, understanding in his eyes. "I'll go get breakfast for all of us. Any requests?"
"Surprise us," River said, already taking Ares' hand and guiding him toward the bathroom.
Apollo caught her other hand, pulling her back for a moment to press a kiss to her lips. "I love you," he murmured against her mouth.
"I love you, too," she whispered back before he released her.
As Apollo left, River led Ares into the spacious bathroom. Steam billowed around them as she turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature before facing him. Without a word, she undressed him.
ARES
River worked at his buttons with care, peeling back the blood-stained fabric to reveal his sculpted abs. Her touch was gentle yet determined as she tugged the jacket from his broad shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. Next came his shirt, each button surrendering to her nimble fingers until she could push it away from his skin.
