Page 51 of Alpha Queen
Cherry and Strider turned to her.
"Dad is right. He loves her as much as you do, Cherry. She is as much his daughter as she is my sister. You don't get to have a monopoly on who loves her most. And you don't get to treat dad like he doesn't love her as much as you do just because she came out of your hoo-ha."
The way Cherry's eye twitched made Apollo think that Bianca had never spoken to her that way before.
Cherry looked between Strider and Bianca. She blew out a breath, her shoulders sagging.
"I know how much you love River. Both of you."
Strider's posture relaxed, the feral energy dissipating from his form. It was the best apology Strider or Bianca would receive at the moment. "Alright then. Let's head to the ballroom."
"Come on," said Zeke. "Let's head upstairs."
"No." Bianca straightened. "I'm tired of being babied. My sister, my mom, and my dad almost died. It's time for me to step up and help. I'm not as helpless as everyone thinks I am. I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I love my family just as much. And I want to help."
Zeke chewed his lip. "B-"
"No. If you can't handle it, feel free to go to your room. But I'm going with Cherry, and I dare you to try and stop us." Bianca walked to Cherry and locked arms with her.
Zeke looked to Cherry, who cocked an eyebrow at him.
He shook his head and swore under his breath before ushering them inside.
The group made their way through the grand foyer, their footsteps echoing in the eerie silence of the house. As they approached the ballroom, Apollo paused, steeling himself for what lay beyond. With a deep breath, he opened the doors.
The scene of chaos and violence frozen in time greeted them. Dark, dried blood stained the once-gleaming marble floor; the metallic odor of blood clung to the air. Shattered crystals from the chandeliers glittered like diamonds strewn across the room. Overturned tables, smashed chairs, and moldy food lay scattered about, silent testaments to the struggle that had taken place. His gut clenched, remembering the battle that had ruined everything. And where he'd lost Bennett. He huffed out a breath and coughed to keep himself from breaking down. They would have a proper memorial for Bennett when River returned.
Apollo moved into the room, taking in every detail. He crouched down, running his fingers along a pair of claw marks gouged into the wooden floor. His wolf growled at the memories of the rogues who had invaded their home.
Apollo made his way around the perimeter of the room, pausing occasionally to examine a particular spot more closely. He lifted an overturned chair, studying the splintered wood and torn upholstery. The violence of the attack evident in every destroyed object, every splash of blood.
Finally, he approached the area where Bennett had fallen. The floor was darker where the blood had pooled and congealed. Apollo closed his eyes for a moment, remembering his loyal friend who had given his life protecting them. Grief and anger surged within him.
"I'm so sorry, my friend," he murmured. "Your sacrifice will not be forgotten."
Taking a shaky breath, Apollo forced himself to focus. He couldn't let emotion cloud his judgment now. River needed him to be strong, to be the leader he was born to be.
His gaze landed on a section of paneling. Moving to it, he ran his hands along the woodwork until he touched a subtle catch. With a soft click, the hidden door swung open, revealing a dark passage beyond.
"The tunnel," Apollo murmured. "This is how Titan got in. I didn't even know it was here."
Apollo approached the passage, the musty air thick with dust. He ran his hand along the rough stone wall, the damp walls cool to the touch. The tunnel stretched before him, a dark maw swallowing what little light spilled in from the ballroom.
"Silas," Apollo called. "Bring a flashlight."
As Silas hurried to comply, Apollo breathed deeply, steeling himself. His wolf paced, eager to get going. Silas handed him a flashlight, and with a nod to the others, Apollo plunged into the darkness, his footsteps echoing off the narrow walls.
The tunnel twisted and turned, leading deeper under the bowels of the estate. Apollo's keen senses picked up the acrid stench of fear and the metallic tang of blood.
After several minutes, a glimmer of light appeared. Apollo quickened his pace, emerging at the northern edge of the property. The late-afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, dappling the ground with shifting patterns of light and shadow.
Apollo stood near the northern fence, behind the barn. He located the security camera mounted on a nearby tree. Its lens had been shattered; wires dangled uselessly from its housing. He inspected the damage.
"This isn't random destruction." He ran his fingers along the shattered lens. "They knew where to hit it to disable it without triggering any alarms."
His eyes scanned the perimeter, spotting the section of fence that had been compromised. A neat hole had been cut through the metal links, the edges curled back with surgical precision. Apollo crouched down, examining the ground around the breach.
"Here," Cherry called, pointing to faint impressions in the soft earth. "Tracks."
