Chapter 7

CHAPTER SEVEN

RIVER

R iver tossed and turned most of the night. After Apollo's question she needed some space. Not that she got any. There was the inside and the outside of the cabin, and that was about it. Despite being surrounded by woods, she couldn't have been alone if she'd tried. Apollo would have been there every second, dogging her steps and reminding her she'd kissed him and how conflicted that made her. She loved the feeling of his lips on hers but, at the same time, felt traitorous to Ares. She wondered if she would feel the same about being with Ares when she returned to the estate as she did about being with Apollo. If she didn't, did that mean she'd made her choice?

River sighed and sat up. Having locked herself in the room since returning, her skin itched to get out. She used to feel safe in confined spaces, but ever since her wolf's emergence, confined spaces only reminded her of the years of keeping her wolf in a cage. Never letting her out. Never letting her run free. And being so close to the woods only compounded the issue. Her wolf knew what lay beyond the wooden walls, and she wanted to go out and run through the trees.

River stood from the bed and looked at her phone to check the time before shaking her head and putting it on the nightstand again. Her phone died the night before. She cursed herself for the dozenth time for forgetting a charging cord. She would've asked Lachlan if he had one, but she didn't want to get him in trouble with Apollo. He'd gotten an earful the night before just for entering River's room to bring her food. If it hadn't comforted her to have him there, she would have sent him back to the estate for his own good.

River picked up her clothes for the third day and smelled them. Yuck. She needed fresh clothes, so she wrapped herself in a blanket instead.

River opened her bedroom door and found Apollo sleeping on the floor. Hands behind his head, he wore only a pair of sweats. Her wolf howled at the sight of his toned body. Every muscle stacked on the last, and though he wasn't as wide as Ares, he was in no way smaller. She couldn't help the flush of heat that rushed through her body. Her wolf paced, agitated that she had not yet been able to mate with either of her two Alphas. River's mind wandered, and she thought about running her hand down Apollo's rigid torso. About his heated mouth on hers again. His hands on her body.

Okay, she needed to cool down.

Apollo opened his eyes and stared at her without moving. Heat flushed River's cheeks, but she didn't look away.

"Does that scent you are giving off mean you forgive me for being a jackass?"

"Why don't you come here and find out?"

She couldn't believe the words left her mouth, but as soon as they did, a small smile quirked up the corner of Apollo's mouth.

Like a prowling tiger staring down his prey, he got to his feet and stalked toward her. River backed up until she hit the wall. Apollo's eyes never left her face, and he caged her inside his arms and leaned into her. But before his lips could touch hers, she stopped him.

"Are you really sorry?"

Apollo growled. "Eternally."

"Prove it."

Apollo's eyes went black, and he traced a finger down her throat. "How?"

She shrugged. "You're the Alpha of Alphas I'm sure you can think of something."

Apollo looked down the hallway toward the living room, pulled her into her room, and shut the door, locking it—not that any of the other men would dare enter.

He picked her up and lay her on the bed, making her body pebble with desire. He stared at her for a long minute, knelt beside the bed, and pulled her towards him. River quaked with anticipation.

Delicately Apollo unwrapped the blanket from her leg, and starting at her toes, he kissed and nipped her skin, placing languid sucking kisses on her heel, her ankle, her calf. And with every kiss, her wolf grew needier.

River threw her head back and moaned as he worked his way up to the back of her knee and then unwrapped her thighs and kissed up the inside of her leg.

River shook with anticipation as he stopped at the top of her thigh and waited. His hot breath fell onto her most sensitive places, making her nipples harden.

"Don't stop now," she panted.

He chuckled, and then, without warning, his mouth clamped down hard on her nub as his tongue flicked inside her.

River almost came apart right then, but instead, she grabbed onto Apollo's hair and bucked her hips into him. He wrapped his arms around her thighs and pulled her tight against his mouth.

River couldn't help the noises that emanated from her as he wound her higher and higher, closer and closer to the edge.

"Apollo," she gasped his name. "Apollo."

He bit the inside of her thigh hard and slid a finger inside her. It was over for her in that moment. She cried out loud without being able to stop herself. Wave after wave of pleasure wracked her as he continued to kiss and nip at her skin as he rocked her through her climax.

When the spasms subsided, she fell back against the bed spent. With a satisfied growl, Apollo continued to kiss a path up her body. Across her hip. The dip of her waist. The side of her ribs, where she promptly burst out laughing.

He looked up at her and smiled. "Ticklish?"

She shook her head. "Nope."

He cocked an eyebrow and then leaned in again and kissed her in the same spot.

River squealed and edged away from him, laughing. But her torso was tucked into the blanket, so she wasn't able to move freely, and he caught her by the arms and pressed her wrists over her head.

He looked down at her. "Hmmm… conundrum. If I let go of your hands, you'll wiggle away. But because I'm holding your hands, I can't uncover those beautiful breasts I've been dying to see."

She cocked an eyebrow. "Then do something else."

"Kitten, there are so many things I want to do. Trust me, I'm not at a loss for imagination."

River pressed her lips to his and plunged her tongue into his mouth. He growled and kissed her hard. Their teeth clashed, and tongues swirled together, and he claimed every part of her mouth until her lips were swollen and sensitive.

"River…" He could barely get her name out in a groan. "I want to make love to you."

Her heartbeat quickened, and she kissed him harder. Damn, she wanted to feel him inside her. Making love to her. Her wolf spurred her on, wanting him as well.

"River… tell me I can have you. Tell me to bite you and make you mine."

She gasped for breath. "I… I can't. I want to, you have no idea how much I want to, but I can't. You know I can't."

Apollo let out a shuddered breath and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I am, Apollo. But-"

He kissed her forehead. "You don't need to explain. I wish it wasn't this way, but I understand."

Pain squeezed River's chest, and a tear leaked from her eye. Apollo kissed the tear away and rolled off her, pulling her into his arms.

"Don't cry, Kitten."

"This is just… why? Why does it have to be like this?"

The purr started in Apollo's chest, and he pulled her closer, trying to soothe her. "It seems like the ultimate twist of fate in my life."

"I always wanted someone of my own. My own fated mate. But not this… not two I had to choose between. I…"

"Shhhh…" He kissed her head, and she wrapped her arms around him tight, letting his warmth and vibrations radiate through her like a soothing balm.

How? How did she choose when everything inside her told her she couldn't?

* * *

APOLLO

Apollo's wolf howled at the feel of River's pain. He wanted to be let out to comfort her.

Mine. My mate.

Yeah, bud. I know.

Mark. Take.

No, that's not what she needs.

His wolf grumbled.

Apollo's wolf wasn't the only part of him that wanted to take River and make her his. But he told his smaller head to chill out as well.

He'd never wanted or needed anything so much in his life as he did River, and yet he kept himself from taking that one thing. From claiming her and making her his forever. It went against everything he'd ever been taught. Every instinct. Every desire. It was like telling himself he didn't need to breathe anymore. It didn't matter how long he held his breath. Eventually, he would breathe again. And he knew it would be the same with River if he wasn't careful.

Sooner or later, his instincts would take over. He just prayed that when they did, he would also have the strength to hold himself back. Or, better yet, that she would say yes.

* * *

RIVER

"What should we do today?"

Apollo pulled her closer. "I like what we're doing right now."

Her stomach rumbled, and she laughed. "I do, too, but my stomach has other opinions."

"Then it's good I sent Bennett out this morning for a bakery run."

River shot up. "You mean you've had baked goods waiting and didn't tell me?"

He shrugged. "Why would I tell you when you taste better than any pastry ever could." A roguish smile crossed his face.

She leaned in close and stopped just an inch from his mouth. "Because I didn't get to eat."

"You're welcome to taste any part of me."

River couldn't help but smile. He raised his hand to touch her face, but she jumped off the bed and made for the door.

She'd just gotten it open when Apollo leaped up and slammed it shut, leaning on it. A growl escaped him.

"There is no way in hell you are going out there in just that sheet."

She looked down. "But my clothes stink, and I have nothing else to wear."

He nodded. "I will go get you the food."

"I don't want to be cooped up here all day."

"Then I will send Silas to get you some clothes."

"He won't know what I'd wear."

"Then tell me, and I will tell him."

They stared at each other for a long minute, and Apollo folded his arms over his chest and leaned back against the door.

"Unless you want me to rip the eyes out of my men as well as your darling Lachlan, I suggest you allow me to bring you the food."

River growled. "Ugh! Alphas!"

"Ugh! Omegas!" he teased.

River rolled her eyes. "Fine. T-shirts, jeans, leggings. Nothing formal."

Apollo nodded and opened the door.

"Oh, and I need underwear and a bra," River called. "Does he need to know my sizes?"

Apollo turned to her, his eyes black. "No other man will ever know your sizes but me from this day forward."

She couldn't help but laugh. "Then how do you know what he gets will fit me?"

"I'll make sure he gets you some nice, big, grannie panties." Apollo winked at her.

River was about to tell him he better not dare when he closed the door.

Silas better not return with granny panties because if he did, Apollo would freak when she went commando instead of wearing them.

The outer door opened ten minutes later, and the smell of coffee and muffins hit her nose. Apollo slid into the room, and she moaned.

"I could eat everything in your hands."

Apollo smiled and walked to the bed. He handed her a tray of assorted pastries. Each looked better than the last, and she didn't know where to start.

Apollo set his cup of coffee on the nightstand, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a bottle of soda.

River smiled. "My hero!"

He chuckled. "If I'd known all it took to win you over was a bottle of soda, I would have brought an entire truck full."

She ripped off the top and took a long, burning drink. She sucked in a huge breath and then burped.

Apollo sat on the bed and touched her cheek. "So gentile."

She looked right at him and burped again.

He chuckled and shook his head. He reached for a Danish, and she swatted at his hand.

"I told you I could eat everything."

"Does that mean you aren't sharing?"

"Hmmmm… Maybe. If you answer a question for me."

"You can ask me anything."

She grabbed a muffin and picked at it, trying to figure out the best way to ask him the question that had been burning inside her for the last two days.

"Why do you and Ares not get along?"

Apollo sat silent for a moment and sipped his coffee. "Ever since we were little, Ares just commanded attention. From our parents. From females. From everyone. I just didn't have the charisma he did. So, everyone gravitated to him. I saw it in people's eyes. Heard the whispers behind my back. They all wanted him to be the Alpha of Alphas. So I lashed out. When he got things he loved, I took them or destroyed them. Soon, it became clear that where people loved Ares, they feared me. And that was enough to keep me in the top position. But then… our parents died, and things just got worse. Where I thought our parents' deaths might bring us closer, it did the total opposite. People thought we would fight for the throne and started picking sides. The problem was, to be king, one of us needed a mate. So we've pretty much separated duties in an uneasy truce of sorts. Until now. I'm better at diplomacy, and he's better as the enforcer."

"Then why didn't you come to New York instead of him?"

"Because with the rogues on the rise, he convinced me that a more commanding presence would be needed there. He wasn't wrong. He got more Alphas to agree to join us than I probably could have. But it does make me sad that he found you and not me."

"I'm sorry. It seems all I've done is make things worse for both of you."

Apollo sat down his coffee and took her face into his large palms. "You have brought me more joy in the last two days than I've known in my entire life. I would give up the throne, my brother, and everything else just to have you."

River swallowed hard. What the hell did she say to that? She wondered if Ares would be willing to do the same.

"Your parents died in an accident, right?"

Apollo sat back on the pillows and blew out a sigh. "That's what we said, but no- Titan killed them."

River's gut clenched. How could one man cause so much pain?

"He ambushed them at their favorite restaurant. After poisoning them with silver, he killed them. It's why he went into hiding. It's been six years since we heard anything."

"Apollo... I'm so sorry. Losing my dad was terrible, but losing both parents at the same time... I can't imagine."

Apollo gave her a sad smile. "It hasn't been easy, that is for sure. I loved my parents dearly. They were generous and strong people. I hope I can be half the king my father was."

River wanted to reassure him that he would be, but with having to choose, she couldn't promise that he would be the next king.

"I wish they could've met you. They would have loved you. Especially my mom."

She smiled. She could pretty much see her dad and Apollo bonding over a beer. Laughing, fishing, hanging out. But he would also appreciate Ares's strength. He'd have felt comforted knowing that River had ended up with a mate who could protect and provide for her. But if her father were still alive, would Titan have ever even found her? They'd never had moved to the new pack and maybe she never would have even met the twins.

"Where has Titan been? I know he's been watching me in New York. Do you think he could have been there all this time?"

Apollo shook his head. "No idea. And that's a good thing because if I knew where he was, I'd freaking kill him for what he did to you and my parents."

The anger that flashed in his eyes made him look like Ares had at the opera house.

Her stomach plummeted. She couldn't see him doing anything like that. Ares, absolutely, but Apollo was too… gentle, considerate, kind. He wasn't a killer.

"Anyway." He broke the silence. "Tell me about your childhood."

She sipped her soda and then picked up a cinnamon roll. Pulling a piece off, she stuck it into her mouth.

"Basic pack life. My dad died when I was nine. My mom had been the enforcer for years before it happened. She'd never been very maternal to begin with, but after my dad died, something inside her died, too. She became the ultimate weapon. Unhinged weapon, but still a weapon."

"And your dad, what did he do?"

"Took care of me."

"That's different."

"True. He was an Alpha, but in many ways, he was like you. Laid back, funny, kind. That's why he didn't want to become a pack leader. He was afraid if he became one, he'd be forced to do things he didn't want to do. My mom's uptight and on edge enough for both of them." River snorted.

"Who looked after you after he died?"

"No one. I mean, Strider and Bianca moved in a few days after he died. Strider's wife died in a car accident a few years prior. So he and Bianca moved to try and get a new start. Strider and Mom knew each other when they were younger, I think. She doesn't talk about it. Anyway, they got together and I had a little sister I needed to look out for."

"I heard something about your sister being mated to one of Ares men?"

"Yup. Zeke."

"One of the new ones."

River shrugged. "I don't know how long he's been with Ares."

"So, she's your sister?"

"Pretty much. Mom and Strider have never mated, but they've been together for fifteen years."

"Interesting."

"Haven't there ever been Lycans that have been together but not mated?"

He shook his head. "We're too possessive."

"Lycans really are different from shifters."

His brow creased. "Are we? I can't imagine any male not feeling the same."

She couldn't argue with that. Maybe her mom had resisted mating Strider all these years. River wouldn't put it past her.

"So, did your dad mate Titan's mom?" She picked another piece of cinnamon roll.

Apollo stared at his coffee cup.

"I'm sorry, it's none of my business."

"No, it is your business. You, of anyone, should know the truth. He never mated or married Titan's mom. I think that angered Titan most. The way dad just threw her aside so easily. Not that it would have mattered even if he'd mated her. In the past few days, I've learned I would give up anything or anyone just to be with you."

"What about his brother Osmodius? Osmodius could have carried on the bloodline."

"Osmodius is my mother's brother, not my father's."

"Oh." River wondered what Titan and his mother had endured after his dad found his fated mate. She couldn't even imagine. For a split second, she felt terrible for him and what he must have gone through.

She swallowed hard. That still didn't give him the right to do what he'd done to her… but somehow, she understood how someone could become that desperate. No wonder he started organizing the rogues.

"So, did your dad teach you to love art?"

She nodded. "He was a mechanic. Metal was his art. Then it became mine." She popped another piece of the cinnamon roll into her mouth. "What about you? What do you like to do?"

He shrugged. "I don't have much time for myself. Leading the Lycans and shifters takes a lot. Managing our investments takes a lot, too. But I like to ride and do outdoor things when I can."

"So you come up here often?"

He picked at a muffin. "Usually, I try to get out one weekend a month."

"For a little self-care. Nice."

"I don't know if it's self-care as much as it is to get away. To get back to nature. Back to my roots. Sometimes my uncle comes. He was there for me when my parents died."

"He seems… stern."

"He's a traditionalist. He believes in the laws of the pack and of the Lycan hierarchy. Everything he does is for the betterment of us as a race. Sometimes, he can come off as hardnosed and unforgiving, but that's just his way."

River ate the rest of her cinnamon roll and downed her soda before yawning.

"I can let you rest if you are still tired," he said.

"You know what I'd like is to watch a movie, but I noticed there are no electronics up here."

"I like the solitude. I like having one place I can go to that the rest of the world can't get to." He looked at her for a moment. "But-"

"But?"

"I have an old TV and VHS player with some movies."

"I don't even know that I've ever seen a VHS player."

Apollo grabbed his heart. "Ouch. You make me feel so old."

"What movies do you have?" She snuggled into the covers.

He walked to the closet by the door and opened it. Inside stood rows and rows of VHS tapes.

"What did you do, buy out a Blockbuster before it went out of business?"

"Oh, so you know what a Blockbuster store is but not a VHS?"

"I didn't say I didn't know what a VHS player was; I said I'd never seen one before. So what all do you have in there?"

"Well, I have horror flicks. And action flicks. And finally, classic bad sci-fi movies."

"Wow. No romantic comedies?"

He snorted. "Would you want to watch one if I did?"

"No."

They both laughed

"What's your favorite movie?"

"I'm partial to ally An American Werewolf in London ."

"A werewolf movie? Isn't that kind of like a doctor who only watches medical dramas?"

"It makes me laugh to see what people think we are like. What about you? What do you like?"

"Honestly?"

"Of course."

"I like horror movies as well. Especially zombies and vampires. Or anything with Vincent Price in it. He, Christopher Lee, and Peter Cushing are classic."

His eyebrows raised. "I love Vincent Prince movies. What's your favorite?"

"'Fall of the House of Usher,' and some of the Edgar Alan Poe ones. Oh! And there is this one movie where Vincent Prince has a daughter with poisoned blood because he doesn't want her to leave him."

"Twice Told Tales! That's a good one. I'm partial to The Raven."

She chuckled. "That's one's goofy. Like Comedy of Terrors."

"Love that one too."

"Do you have them?"

He smiled. "Of course."

River nodded. "Okay, let's watch them."

He cocked an eyebrow at her.

She shrugged. "You have somewhere else you'd rather be?"

He smiled. "Absolutely not."