Page 91 of Alpha Queen
River hissed as Apollo's arms grazed her cuts.
Apollo laid River down with exquisite care, his hands lingering as if unable to break contact. River's eyes found his, pain and exhaustion evident in their depths.
"Don't leave." She grasped at his sleeve.
"Never," Apollo promised, stepping back just enough to give Dr. Keller access while still holding River's hand.
Dr. Keller worked methodically, cutting away the makeshift bandage on River's thigh to reveal a wound seeping blood. "What happened?"
"Razor wire," River managed, crying out as the doctor began cleaning the wound. "Had to... escape."
"She needs blood," Dr. Keller declared, glancing up at Apollo. "And fluids. She's severely dehydrated."
The doctor hooked up an IV bag to a rolling device that resembled a small hat rack and then examined River's other injuries. Her eyes grew concerned as she prodded the cuts on River's side from the window and a large bruise on her shoulder from where she'd fallen onto the grass.
"When was the last time you ate?" she asked River.
"Don't... remember." River shook her head, but a pain shot through her neck, and she stopped. "I've been only drinking soda and eating candy to avoid the blockers in the food."
Apollo's jaw clenched, his hands balling into fists. His eyes went black, and she squeezed his hand. He knelt by her and kissed her knuckles.
"You're going to be okay now," he promised.
"And you believe you're pregnant?" Dr. Keller's hands gently prodded her.
River nodded weakly. "Morning sickness... bad. Everything smells too strong. My wolf is protective but weak." She swallowed hard. "I've been so tired, and my breasts are tender. And I haven't had a period in at least two months."
Dr. Keller nodded. "We'll confirm it right away."
Apollo's hand tightened around River's as Dr. Keller prepared the IV needle and slid it into River's arm with practiced precision.
River winced at the expected pinch, but it happened so fast she didn't even notice.
"This will help with the dehydration and blood loss," she explained.
The sound of a vehicle screeching to a halt outside broke the relative quiet. Everyone froze, and River gripped Apollo's hand.
"Apollo-"
"No one will get you here. I promise."
Seconds later, thunderous footsteps pounded down the hallway.
The bedroom door burst open with such force it slammed against the wall. Ares stood in the doorway, his massive frame filling the space, golden eyes wild, full of fear and desperate relief as they locked on River.
"For heaven's sake, calm down!" Dr. Keller snapped. "This is a medical situation, not a battlefield! Besides, the Princess doesn't need any more stress."
Ares ignored her, crossing the room in two long strides to reach River's bed. He dropped to his knees beside her, hands trembling as he cupped her face. His lips caressed her forehead, her cheeks, her lips, her chin, everywhere he could reach, as if he couldn't believe she was real.
"River," he breathed between kisses, his voice breaking. "My River."
"Back up," Dr. Keller ordered, attempting to shoulder between them. "I need to finish my examination. You do want her to live, right?"
River's weak laugh turned into a cough as tears streamed down her face.
Ares growled but pulled back. He moved around to the other side of the bed and took her free hand, standing opposite Apollo, both her mates flanking her like protective sentinels.
Dr. Keller looked between them with exasperation, shaking her head as she turned back to her medical supplies. "Alpha males," she muttered under her breath. "Biggest babies in the animal kingdom."
