Page 3 of Alpha Queen
She kept her eyes shut, but her heartbeat kicked up.
He reached out to brush her hair from her eyes. "River-"
She caught his hand and shoved it away without looking at him.
His wolf snarled.
"You haven't eaten."
Silence.
He fought to keep his voice even. "Surely you would be more comfortable if you showered and put on some clean clothes."
"I would be more comfortable at home with my mates." They were the first words she'd spoken since being taken, and they slapped him so hard he almost fell over.
"You are home. I am your mate."
Her eyes flew open, and she bared her teeth. "I will never, ever, be your mate."
"You already are."
"You took from me what was never yours to take. That doesn't make me your mate."
"And I have apologized for that. It was-" What? Weakness? Desperation? Desire that had made him do what he did? How could he tell her that?
She eyed him intently.
He stood. "You should shower and eat. I have a surprise for you."
He turned and walked toward the door.
"I don't want a surprise."
His anger rose, and he swiped a vase of flowers from a dresser to the floor. "Why? Why can't you give me a chance?"
She leapt to her feet and rushed him. "Why didn't you give me one? A chance to find out for myself if you were to be my mate."
Her fierceness enflamed him. He wanted to touch her. To feel that passion for himself. He almost couldn't bear the fact that Ares and Apollo had felt what should have been his.
She stared at him. He opened and closed his mouth. His gut clenched.
His wolf growled and paced.
"I… wish more than anything I had," he whispered before he could stop himself.
His wolf growled. Weak.
Her gaze flickered with something he couldn't read, and his chest tightened. It was the same look she'd given him right before she'd rejected him, and again right after she'd kissed him to save Ares and Apollo.
He reached for her, but her palm slammed into him.
"Don't touch me." Her eyes went Omega golden but only for a second, probably because of the suppressant he was feeding her.
When she did that, it was the only time his wolf backed down. Truly backed down. He couldn't explain what happened to him when she looked at him like that, except to say that he wanted to comply. Wanted to give in to her. Wanted to please her.
"I have a surprise. I'll be back in a few hours. Shower. Eat."
"Is the surprise a police escort home?"
