Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

A res had never wanted to run from anything in his life. But walking toward the ballroom full of Alphas, Betas, and more made him want to grab River, go straight to the airport, jump on his jet, and whisk her to the safety of his estate. But that wasn't an option. Not if he wanted to avoid making more enemies.

He took several breaths as he approached the ballroom. Two of his men who had flown in from his estate bowed to him and then grabbed the handles to the ballroom.

River was safe. She was upstairs. Up twenty floors. In his private suite. The floor wasn't accessible by anyone except him and his people. He had to focus. He needed to make this work with the shifters because if Titan had his eye set on the throne… the bloodshed would be overflowing. Ares needed everyone on his side.

Theo and Santiago flanked Ares, and the door to the ballroom opened. The scents of the different wolves struck Ares. Each wolf had their own unique aroma, tainted with adrenaline and their wolf's natural aggression. That's what happened when you had dozens of pack Alphas in the same room. Even so, his aura and command would make them kneel in his presence if he wanted. And he sure as hell did. He wanted nothing more than to command them into submission. But doing that wouldn't help the relationships between him and the packs.

All talking stopped as every head in the room swiveled toward him. He stood for a moment, allowing them to stare. He scanned the room and spotted Alphas he'd met before from different packs talking and drinking in groups. He made a mental note of who stood with whom, interested in which alliances had already been formed. He assumed most had been made through marriages and family bloodlines. A sizeable group of Betas from different packs stood on the other side of the room near the buffet table. An air of tension filled the space.

Theo stepped forward. "I present Prince Ares of Wolvenguard."

Without a word, each Alpha and Beta took a knee and bowed their heads. Again, Ares noted the ones slower to bow and those whose gazes didn't hit the floor. He would need Theo to investigate them as soon as they returned to the estate.

He didn't need to look at the other Alphas to know the things going through their minds.

"Here comes the New Lycan King."

"How did that monster score an Omega?"

"I'm going to rip his throat out one day."

Ares strode to the front of the room and prepared to speak when someone squeezed through the gathered group. Ares stiffened, and Theo and Santiago crossed in front of him as a small woman in a simple black halter dress with a long slit strode to the front of the room and stopped in front of Theo and Santiago.

She was pretty, with a light smattering of makeup. Older, in her forties. Her red hair piled up on her head, and stray wild curls framed her face, refusing to be tamed.

She snarled at Theo and Santiago in annoyance. "Where's my daughter?"

Holy shit. Cherry. He'd not recognized her all dressed up. He should have, though; only Cherry would dare to try and push past Alphas and Betas to find her daughter.

Ares decided he liked Cherry. She may be brash, irrational, and overbearing, but she loved River and would protect River with her own life. And he liked her for it.

Her gaze traveled to Ares, and he inclined his head to her.

"Cherry."

She inclined her head. "Prince Ares."

"My mate, River Whitetail of the Silver Moon clan, is in our penthouse. She preferred to stay somewhere more secure with so many unmated males here."

Cherry studied him for a moment as if deciding something and then nodded. "Smart girl. I'll go to the penthouse then."

Ares nodded to Zeke. "Please take our mother-in-law to her daughters."

Zeke nodded, and Cherry followed him from the room. As if a colossal balloon had popped, the tension in the air deflated. The tall wolf, Strider, followed Cherry out of the room.

"Everyone eat, then we'll talk," Ares announced. And just like that, various Alphas and Betas moved to the buffet and picked up plates.

Many didn't move; they simply kept their eyes on Ares. Several moved to the open bar and ordered a drink. But the few younger, single Alphas worried Ares the most. Their jealous, angry gazes made Ares want to rip each of them apart.

Theo and Santiago moved behind Ares and took up their positions as sentinels.

As Ares did a full sweep of the room, he spied the last person he wanted to see. Vanessa. She stood in the corner by herself, staring straight at him. He signaled Santiago forward with a flick of his fingers. The hand signals he used with his guards had saved him on more than one occasion.

"Boss?"

"What's she doing here?"

Santiago followed Ares's gaze. "She said she wanted to make sure everything ran smoothly."

Ares gave a slight jerk of his head, and Santiago nodded and headed for Vanessa. She didn't wait for Santiago to reach her before she stalked to the door and out the exit.

Ares waited until everyone else had food before going to the buffet table. The room filled with sounds of pleasure as the others ate and drank and chatted. It made him smile. Shifters became much more amenable when they'd eaten a filling meal.

* * *

Cherry's arrival did the opposite of making River calmer. She'd questioned River to no end about Ares and what he'd done to her. What she thought of being kept like a prisoner. How she planned on staying true to herself with him dictating everything she did. About leaving for Canada. About what had happened at the Opera. And a million other things setting River more on edge. Thankfully, Strider had realized River's waning patience and urged Cherry to return to the dinner after twenty minutes.

However, when two hours had passed, and Ares hadn't returned, River wanted to rip her skin off.

"River, you can't." Bianca tugged on River's arm to stop her from going to the door.

"I can't stand it. I have to know what is happening."

"Princess, please," said Lachlan. "This is for your safety as well as Prince Ares'."

"I'm going crazy up here, not knowing what is happening." It surprised River as much as it did everyone else how concerned she was for Ares and the negotiations. She needed the shifter packs to back him. Needed them to believe in him. If they didn't… she didn't want to think about what would happen. If Titan wanted a war…

River marched for the door.

"Princess, I don't want to have to stop you."

River rounded on Lachlan. "How? You aren't allowed to touch me, are you?"

Lachlan ran his hand through his hair. "Well, uh… no."

"So, how will you stop me if you can't touch me?" She made for the door again, and as she reached for the handle, Lachlan stepped between her and the door and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Move." River's irritation rose.

Lachlan shook his head.

River tried to shove him out of the way, but he didn't budge. "Move, you giant lap dog."

Lachlan smiled. "Sorry. No can do."

River growled and pulled out her phone. She speed-dialed Ares' number. It rang twice and went to voicemail.

She dialed again. Again, it went to voicemail.

"Fine," River said. "If I can't go, let my sister out. Ares didn't say anything about Bianca having to stay in the room, right?"

Lachlan looked between them. "Well, no."

River prodded Bianca toward the door. "Go down and find out what is going on."

Bianca's eyes widened in horror. "Dressed like this?" She wore a lounge suit with the word 'cutie' on the butt.

"No one will see you. Peek in, see what is happening, and come right back."

Bianca scrunched up her face. "I don't think Zeke will like this…"

"It will be fine. He won't know. Please."

Bianca sighed. "Okay. But I'm only going for sixty seconds, and if I don't hear anything, I don't care. I'm coming right back up."

"Fine."

River nodded for Lachlan to open the door, and as he turned to open it, River shoved him aside and slipped out the crack.

"Princess!" Lachlan called.

River punched the elevator button several times, and to her surprise, the door opened, and she ran smack into Ares.

Ares grabbed her by the arm, his eyes concerned. "What's wrong?"

She couldn't hold back the relief that flooded her. Her wolf chuffed with happiness.

"I… Nothing is wrong."

Ares' eyebrows creased. "You called twice in a row."

"I wanted to check on you." Her cheeks flushed with heat.

His gaze went to Lachlan. "I thought I told you to keep her safe."

"I'm sorry, Highness. I tried to-"

"Wait." River pulled her arm from Ares' grasp. "You told him to keep me safe, not prisoner."

"River-"

"Don't get mad at Lachlan; get mad at me."

The elevator dinged, and the doors tried to close. Ares stepped out of the way, and Theo and Santiago followed.

"I'm not mad," he said. "I'm worried. There's a difference. Come on, I need to change anyway."

"Why? What's happening?"

Ares ushered her back into the suite, shucked off his coat, and undid his tie before they entered the bedroom.

"I am meeting a few senior Alphas for drinks."

"So, things didn't go well?" A knot formed in her stomach.

"No, things went better than expected. Even so, it won't hurt to commit as many as possible. Some agreements need to be worked out."

"What kind of agreements?"

Ares slipped off his shoes and untucked his shirt before crossing to her and cupping her face. "Beloved, I will tell you everything I can later, but right now, I need to go. I wish I didn't, but it is what it is. This is my responsibility to all shifters and Lycans."

She wanted to protest and demand that he tell her what happened, but it would make no difference. He had responsibilities beyond his feelings and commitment to her.

She nodded. "I understand."

"You do?"

She crossed her arms. "Yeah, I do. I wouldn't say I like it, but I understand. I mean, I'm gonna have to get used to it, aren't I? Whether I like it or not, you aren't an everyday shifter. Or even a shifter Alpha. You're… well… you. And that means you have to take care of a lot of people. Like, a lot. I don't want to be the reason others are hurt. And if you don't do your job and get the Alphas on your side, people will definitely be hurt. So, do what you need to, and I'll wait for you."

Ares crossed to her, cupped her face, and clamped his lips down on hers. "I couldn't imagine anyone better for me than you." He laid his forehead on hers. "I honestly don't know how I survived before you."

River smiled. "Well, I know what I did before you. Whatever I wanted."

Ares slapped her rear. "Smart ass."

She growled. "Do it again."

Ares groaned. "River…"

"I know. I know. You have to go. But I need something from you."

"Anything."

"If I call, pick up. Tell me something, anything. Tell me you're busy. Tell me I'm annoying you. Tell me to strip naked and be ready for when you come home. Doesn't matter. Just… don't not answer."

She gripped his arms and hated how much she wanted him to stay with her.

A smile quirked up the corners of his mouth. "I think the last option is going to be a favorite of mine. I will probably use it quite frequently."

She laughed and unbuttoned his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders. "Don't be surprised if you receive the same message when you call me to find out what I'm up to." She undid his belt buckle and unzipped his pants. "Let's find you something more casual for your drinks."

Ares' stomach clenched as she raked her nails down his flesh.

"Damn, you make it hard to leave you, woman."

River glanced down. "I definitely do."