Chapter 6

CHAPTER SIX

I t took Ares every ounce of control he possessed to keep by River's side without having his hands running over every creamy section of her body or wanting to throw a sheet over her, so no one saw the perfect skin made for him.

Only the sight of the faded white scar on the side of her throat held him back. Who dared do that to her? Ares would find out and kill him, slowly and painfully, possibly over several weeks. He practically saw his fierce little Omega stabbing at the rogue Lycan with a small potato peeler. Damn, he loved her feistiness.

She'd said she'd rejected the other male, and Ares believed her. She didn't smell like another male. Even if it had been years, his odor would have lingered on her to some degree if she hadn't rejected him.

When they left Andrea's office, Ares insisted on always keeping a hand on her. At first, she seemed annoyed, but gradually, he'd found her relaxing into him over the next hour. She'd touched him twice, though he was sure she didn't realize she did it. It didn't matter. It was only a matter of time before those things became deliberate between them. And if he kept calm and patient, those little touches would become instinct to her.

Twice, he had to hold back a growl when another male kissed her hand and smiled at her. But both times, she shot him a fiery glare, which could make the strongest wolves whimper like a pup and beg forgiveness. He had no idea how she did it. He'd never been cowed by anyone before. Not his parents, and especially not a female. But she wasn't any female. She was his Omega. His other half. His missing piece.

After an hour, a wolf entered looking for her, and River talked to him quietly. He'd glanced at Ares for several seconds before whispering something to her and kissing her hair. He hugged her and exited as Ares lumbered forward and took her arm.

"Who's that?" he demanded.

She pried his grasp from her arm before smiling at the other patrons.

"Firstly, I am not a naughty toddler. Do not grab me. Secondly, that is Bianca's father."

The man jumped into an old car and drove off.

He flexed his fingers and prayed her arm wouldn't bruise. "I… apologize for grabbing you." He inclined his head to her, and she nodded. "What did he want?"

"None of your business."

Ares growled and went to touch her again, but she slid out of his reach with practiced ease. Interesting.

River procured two flutes of champagne from a waiter and shoved them at him with a bright smile which didn't meet her eyes. "Keep your hands busy somewhere other than my body, please."

"What did he want?" he asked again, trying to calm his voice.

She turned and strode into the gallery without another word.

Ares gripped the crystal flutes so hard one of them cracked. He gulped down both glasses of champagne and slammed them onto a table. He growled as someone joined him.

"Boss."

He turned to Zeke.

"Why don't you go outside for air? I'll make sure she doesn't go anywhere."

"Because you did such a great job before?" he spat.

Zeke stiffened, but his face remained impassive.

Ares was being an ass. But every instinct told him to grab River, throw her over his shoulder, jump into his car, and fly straight to his estate, where he'd keep her locked away from everyone else.

"Some air would be a smart idea." Ares looked at River once more. She mingled and laughed with Bianca and other people in a natural way he'd never possessed.

His wolf grumbled, wanting to go to her. Mine. Mate. Omega.

Ares rubbed the ache in his chest and walked out to the street. He sank against the building, sucking in a breath.

His body relaxed a fraction for the first time since entering the art gallery, but his wolf howled as he could no longer smell her.

His phone rang, and he pulled it out.

Vanessa.

He needed a new assistant before River heard rumors about them.

He rejected the call.

The sky had gone dark, and people began to stream out of the gallery when Ares re-entered.

River stood in the back of the gallery amid a heated discussion with Zeke. Zeke touched her arm, and Ares growled, sending several humans scurrying away. Zeke turned, spotted him, and removed his hand.

River eyed Ares and then walked out of view.

Zeke approached him.

"What's happening?" he asked.

"She's… being River."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning she doesn't want to come back to Montreal."

"Not an option."

Zeke nodded. "I understand, but…"

"But what?"

Zeke glanced over his shoulder.

"Spit it out, Zeke."

"You planned on being in town for another week for business anyway. What if we all stayed together in the hotel?"

"No."

Zeke laid his hand on Ares' shoulder. "Here me out. We stay for a week. Let her come to terms with the idea of leaving. Give her time to gather her things and say her goodbyes. The business you have with the packs here is important. And we need their support. Knowing you've taken one of their own as your mate will go a long way with them. But them knowing you are being gentle and considerate of her feelings will go a lot further. They need to see you are who you are projecting to be. You are willing to compromise. Word will spread to them if you do this for her."

Ares sucked in a harsh breath and looked to where River and Bianca spoke to a remaining guest.

"Fine. But she stays with me. And she has two guards at all times."

Zeke nodded. "Of course."

The door to the gallery flew open, and a tall woman with wild dark hair burst into the area and scanned it.

"Oh shit," said Zeke.

Zeke ran to the woman. "Cherry-"

"Is that him?" She stormed toward Ares, and Zeke put up his hands to block her. "Are you him? Are you the son of a bitch monster who thinks he can take whatever he wants?"

"Cherry, stop. Please." Zeke tried to gain control of the woman, but her strength and skill surprised Ares.

She shimmied from Zeke's hold and flipped open a butterfly knife from her back pocket.

"I'm gonna carve you up and serve you to my Alpha for dinner, asshole."

She lunged at Ares, but he stepped out of the way. He clutched her by her throat and lifted her off the ground, pinning her to the wall. She swung at him with the knife, and he swatted it out of her hand.

"You dare to try and attack me?"

A soft hand yanked on his arm. His wolf howled, making him pause.

"Stop!" River cried. "Stop. Don't hurt her."

Ares growled at Cherry, but her eyes remained defiant.

"Please," River begged. "Ares, please. I'll go with you. I'll do whatever you want, just don't hurt her."

The terror in her eyes and pleading in her voice made the anger drain out of Ares as if someone had pulled the plug on the bathtub of his soul.

"Highness, please, put her down," Zeke asked.

Ares dropped the woman to her feet, and Cherry enveloped River in her arms. Tears dripped from River's eyes, and pain shot through Ares.

"You can't have her," Cherry said. "You don't deserve her. She's too special for an animal like you."

"Mom." River dried her tears. "It's okay."

Mom? The wildcat woman was River's mother?

"It's not okay," said Cherry. "Strider told me what'd happened, but we have a plan, baby girl. I'm getting you out of here and far away from him."

River hugged her mom a moment more, backed out of her grip, and locked eyes with Ares. "I… I can't."

She dropped her gaze to the floor, and Ares gently entwined his fingers with hers. The caress of her small hands in his made his heartbeat quicken.

"He hasn't marked you yet. You can still go, River. It's like the last one. You rejected him, and we tossed him out. He hasn't been back. You'll see, with distance and time-"

River shook her head. His wolf howled in happiness.

"It's too late," she confessed. "He may not have marked me, but my wolf has made it clear." She shook her head. "There's no running now."

A soft purr emanated from Ares that he'd never made before meeting River. Somehow, it did something to her. A look of utter bliss had crossed her face the first time he'd done it. And now, as he did it again, she gazed up at him, her eyes soft and inviting.

Cherry's shoulders slumped. "If you so much as harm one hair on my daughter-"

"River is my Beloved. My Omega. I would never harm her."

River peeked up at him, her eyes glittering with interest.

Cherry looked as if she had more to say. Instead, she regarded the gallery where River's sculptures stood, and the remaining humans gawked.

"Are those yours?" Cherry asked after a minute.

River nodded.

"Show me."

River met her mother's eyes, and Ares saw her smile for the first time since he'd met her. The sight struck him right in the heart, and he was done. The moment her smile aimed his direction, he would be no more than putty in her hands.

Cherry and Bianca walked through the gallery, with River pointing out every piece and explaining how she had altered it. Her mom smiled softly and marveled at River's talent.

"I don't understand," he said to Zeke. "Hasn't she seen River's work before?"

"Bianca said River and her mom have never been close. River's dad was the artistic one. Cherry… tries, but she's not too maternal."

Ares snorted. "Could have fooled me."

"Bianca said Cherry isn't the affectionate type. She said she'd only seen Cherry hug or kiss anyone once before, including Bianca's dad, Strider. And they've been together for over fifteen years. She's an enforcer for their pack."

Ares snorted. If she weren't the mother of his mate, he would have considered making her a hybrid.

Ares folded his arms and watched the women. Cherry's strength resided inside River. She'd taught River to be tough. To protect herself. And he was damn glad she had. Otherwise, River may have ended up with that rogue.

"So, Cherry and Strider aren't mated?"

Zeke shook his head. "They'd both been mated to their fated mates before and lost them. Cherry said she won't go through it again."

Ares had a hard time believing anyone could break Cherry. But a fated mate connection went soul-deep. Hell, though he and River hadn't fully bonded yet, he would never recover if anything happened to her.

After thirty minutes, Andrea approached Ares.

"Uh, Your Highness? I'm getting ready to lock up for the weekend. Did you want to sign the contract for the pieces now or…"

"I'll sign now."

Relief spread across Andrea's face. "Of course. And you and River, did you agree on a price or…"

"I'll pay full price for all of them. Plus, whatever it costs to ship them to my home."

Zeke reached into his pocket, pulled out a matte black business card, and handed it to Andrea.

Andrea smiled. "Of course. Thank you. Give me a moment, and I'll have all the paperwork ready."

Ares nodded but kept his eyes on River. Her hair had tussled out of the clip holding it, and she'd removed her heels. She'd even removed the red lipstick. He took her in, so beautiful and happy. He remembered his mother looking the same after a formal gathering at the estate. Worn out but proud of how all her hard work had paid off.

He swallowed hard. It's been a long time since he'd thought of his mother and all she had gone through after his father's death. The memories made his skin prickle with anger.

"Did you know River had been claimed against her will previously?" he asked.

Zeke growled. "No. I didn't."

"A rogue Lycan."

"What? Who?"

Ares clenched and unclenched his fists. "No idea. But I intend on finding out."

"You give the word, and I'm on it."

River laughed, and Ares' chest squeezed. She brushed her hair over her shoulder, and he practically saw the scar on her throat from across the room. The thought of another male biting her made him want to explode, and he had to take a cleansing breath to clear his head. He would remove the scar with his own mark and spend the rest of their lives making up for it.

"We should go," said Zeke.

Ares nodded, not taking his eyes off River. "Give them another minute."

The way her hair cascaded down her back to the dip in her spine. The way her thin fingers traced the lines of one of the wolves she'd created. Every inch of her perfect. And every inch of her was his- if she'd let him have her.

Ares, Zeke, and River rode to The Plaza Hotel in silence. She sat next to him in the limo but gazed out the window so not even the fabric of her dress touched him. When he shifted his position to be nearer to her, she moved away and laid her head on the window.

Ares sighed.

When they reached the hotel, Zeke got out first, inspected the street, and then stepped to the side for Ares to get out. He instinctively sniffed for trouble before offering his hand to River. She took it and he helped her from the car. Unwilling to let her escape from him, he laced his fingers with hers and led her into the lobby of his hotel. As they entered, she gasped, taking the whole thing in.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked as her eyes darted around the structure.

"Exquisite," she whispered.

"I'm glad you like it. It'll be yours as soon as we're mated."

She looked at him but didn't say anything.

He smiled and placed his hand on her lower back as he escorted her through the lobby to the private elevator reserved for guests almost of his status. He was, after all, the owner.

The doors opened, and Vanessa went to step out but spotted Ares and stopped. She glanced at where Ares and River joined hands.

Zeke stuck his arm out so the elevator door didn't close again.

In the mirrored elevator walls, Ares caught River's expression of distaste at seeing Vanessa.

Vanessa retreated, and Ares led River into the elevator. Zeke stuck a keycard in the penthouse slot.

They rode up in silence for a moment before Ares spoke.

"River, this is my assistant, Vanessa. I don't think you two have been properly introduced. Vanessa, this is my beloved. Her Highness Princess River. You will be at her disposal until we're home."

Vanessa opened her mouth but shut it again.

River refused to make eye contact with her.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Vanessa finally said.

The tension that rose with the elevator told Ares he'd been right. He needed to let Vanessa go as soon as they returned home.

The doors opened to the royal suite. Zeke exited first, and Ares followed with River. The sound of voices met his ears as they entered the foyer. Zeke opened the door, and it opened up to the dining room in front. A corridor to the left ran the length of the suite back to the master bedroom.

"Are you serious?" River asked, looking around.

His men at the dining table stood and bowed to her and Ares.

"River, I would like to introduce you to my bodyguards and most loyal friends."

The men lined up, and Ares introduced them. "This is Theo. He is my oldest friend."

Theo knelt and bowed to River. "Your Highness."

"This is Isaac. He is the youngest of the group but also the most vigilante. He, Lachlan, and Theo will be assigned as your guards whenever you leave my sight."

River bit the inside of her cheek, turned back to the men, and nodded.

"This is Drew. He and his younger brother Lachlan are the ones who talked to your old Alpha to try and find you in Andover."

"You know Zeke already, and lastly, there is Santiago."

River nodded, and a tense silence settled in between the group.

"Boss, the chef is still here if you and your mate would like something to eat," said Theo.

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

River nodded.

"Have him prepare something and bring it to the master suite."

"Would you like Vanessa to get you anything? She can go anywhere in the city if you need her to."

Vanessa stiffened. She wasn't used to being the one who ran his errands, but more than ever, she had to learn her new place in the house of Wolvenguard.

"I don't need anything," River replied, looking only at him.

His wolf chuffed at River, already asserting her dominance in his pack and household. Good girl.

Ares nodded to Vanessa. "You may go back to your room downstairs. But keep your phone on in case my mate needs anything."

Vanessa's cheeks flamed, but she bowed and left without a word.

Ares led River to the master bedroom and let go of her as he turned to lock the door. She walked to the expansive window and peered out at the night sky.

Something calmed inside him, knowing he had her in his room, in his suite, in his hotel, and under his protection.

Ares stood by the door for a long moment, trying to keep his wolf in check. River stared out over the city, her small, slender form taking up all the oxygen in the room.

His mate. He'd found his mate. An Omega. Having her at his side would make him stable enough to turn the tide of the war with his half-brother.

"You've slept with Vanessa," River said flatly.

Damn. He had been an idiot to think she wouldn't pick up on it.

"I don't want her in my house." River didn't turn from the window.

Her house? They hadn't even gone home yet, and it was already her house.

His wolf chuffed.

"I'll fire her now." He pulled out his phone.

"Ares?" Vanessa said.

River turned.

"You need to pack your things-"

"No," said River. "You have meetings. I am sure you need her here for them. You can dismiss her after. But I don't want to see or smell her for the duration of my stay."

Ares nodded. It was beyond generous to allow him to keep Vanessa for his meetings. River truly would make a fantastic Omega.

"Ares?" Vanessa's voice cracked on the line.

"My name is Prince Ares or Your Highness. You will accompany me to my meetings only while we have another guard. You will be given your own car and driver until we go home. You are not to come up to my suite under any circumstance. You may text me if you need me to talk about business. If it's an emergency, contact Santiago. You will return to Montreal the day before we do. You will clear your things out of the estate and given thirty days severance as my assistant before you are assigned somewhere else. Do you understand?"

The line remained silent for a long moment as River watched him.

"Yes, Your Highness."

Ares hung up. "Done."

River turned back to the window. "Thank you."

Her words stopped him, and he smiled.

Mine. My Mate. Take her. Claim her.

Ares rubbed his chest. Don't worry, friend. We will mate her. Just not tonight.