Page 33 of Alpha Queen
Apollo swore. "I never should have let you go. I'm the oldest. I'm the Alpha of Alphas. It's my job-"
"To keep tight reins on our kingdom. That's your job. You know when shit hits the fan, I can barge in and make things happen, but this isn't the time. If we are to stay ahead of Titan and on top of the whispers and rumors that are more than likely flying around right now, we need a king. A king who is logical but also caring. You are that king. Let me do my job, and you do yours. It's what we do. You're the mercy. I'm the justice. Two sides to the same shit sandwich."
Apollo snorted. "Wow. Couldn't think of a better analogy?"
"Nope. That's why I'm not the brains."
Apollo rubbed his forehead. "Fine. I'll stay here. But no more talking to Silas or any of the others. You call me."
"Will do."
"Every two hours."
"Okay. Except, I'm going to grab some sleep. Theo will wake me if anything changes. I'll call you immediately if it does. Otherwise, we both need sleep."
Sleep? How the hell could he even think of sleeping with River still gone?
"Apollo?"
"Yeah."
"Go to bed. You're no good to her if you aren't fully healed and you're exhausted."
Apollo swallowed hard. "I hate it when you're right."
Ares laughed. "Then you must hate me all the time."
Apollo shook his head. What an ass.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
RIVER
The intercom by the door buzzed, startling River. She hesitated, then walked over and depressed the button.
"Yes?"
"Luna," a voice responded. "The Alpha requests your presence for dinner in an hour. May I come in and take you back to your room?"
River's wolf grumbled at the thought of sitting across from Titan. River grumbled at the idea of making polite conversation while pretending she wasn't his prisoner. But she couldn't refuse either. Not if she wanted to maintain the illusion of cooperation.
"Fine."
The door opened, and Austin, the guy from her old pack, gave her a small wave.
Her eyes widened. What was he doing there? Had Titan sent him for some specific reason? He had to have. Titan wouldn't let just anyone come near her. He had to have chosen Austin for a reason.
"Hi," she said.
"Luna." He inclined his head.
"Stop that," she said. "I hate that crap."
He looked at her and smiled.
"What?"
"Same girl I knew all those years ago."
