Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

T he following day, River opened her eyes to find racks and racks of clothing, shoes, and coats lined up in the room.

She blinked twice before getting up from the bed and wondering how the hell she'd slept through all of it arriving. She pulled the bedsheet with her and walked to the first rack.

She thumbed through the designer dresses, rompers, and suits, looking at each price tag.

"Price is no object if you like something," said a voice from the corner.

River spun around to find Ares' taut form lying on the floor on a makeshift bed.

"I can't wear these," she said. "Each one costs more than my rent."

His eyes remained closed. "As I said, cost isn't a problem. Take what you like unless you intend on wearing the sheet all day."

She swallowed, realizing she wasn't wearing anything underneath the sheet.

"There's bags of underwear and bras on the table."

River glanced at the table where at least a dozen Victoria's Secret bags sat.

She'd always loved Victoria's Secret and Pink, but she'd only been able to afford a few things when on double clearance. Interest piqued, she tiptoed to the table and peeked in the first bag. She couldn't help the smile that spread across her face as she pulled out a matching black lace bra and panty set.

"Did I do well?"

Ares' warm breath tickled her shoulder, and she whirled around to face him. It'd been a bad idea. Ares stood in front of her, wearing nothing but skintight boxer briefs that barely covered the tops of his thighs.

She couldn't take her eyes off his body as every chiseled muscle of his torso blocked everything else out of view.

Her cheeks heated as she took in every ripped and cut muscle of his body from his neck to his toes. Her fingers twitched, wanting to touch his skin, and her wolf sprung to life, wanting his body pressed against hers. Inside her. His fangs buried in her neck, and his knot filling her.

When her gaze met his, she couldn't stop the overwhelming desire that flushed her skin and made her innermost lady parts thrum.

Ares brushed her hair over her shoulder. The lightness of his fingers made her quiver and her body heat further. He traced his fingers down her arm and up her stomach. He brushed over her nipple through the sheet, making her heartbeat thunder. Without thinking, she gripped him by the neck and pulled his mouth to hers.

She clung to him as he cupped her rear and lifted her onto the table. She wrapped her legs around his waist, and he kissed her harder. She gripped his shoulders, and her nails lengthened as she dug into his back.

A sound between a growl and a sigh escaped him. Brushing the bags onto the floor, he laid her back and stepped between her thighs before caging her body with his.

His length rubbed against her core, making her pant with need. Every nerve of her body screamed out for her to bite him. To mark him. To make him hers. And to allow him to mark her in return. He circled his hips into hers, making her mewl.

He pinned her wrists above her head with one hand as he ripped off his underwear and ground against her through the thin, silky fabric she'd slept on.

He slid his tongue down the side of her throat and suckled one of her breasts through the sheet.

Stop , her mind screamed. Stop being so weak. You don't even know him.

But her wolf squelched the thoughts spurring her onward.

"Ares," she panted.

Ares worked his way back up to her throat and flicked his warm tongue over the tendon at her throat.

"Tell me," he demanded.

"Ares."

"Tell me," he said again. "Tell me you want me to mark you. That you want to be mine forever."

He licked her throat, and his fangs grazed her skin, bringing her back to reality. She stiffened at the sensation of his sharp canines on her skin.

No! No way! She wasn't ready.

"River-"

"No," she said sharply.

He nuzzled her neck, sending panic tumbling through her. Memories flashed, and dark eyes stared at her from the other side of the pantry door.

"I said no!" she shouted.

The sudden sound of footsteps rushing to the room pulled Ares' mouth from her skin. The door flung open, and Zeke, Lachlan, and Theo rushed in.

Ares roared at them, and Zeke aimed his weapon at Ares.

"Back away from her," Zeke commanded.

"Get out! She's mine."

"No," said Theo. "She's your intended; there is a difference. We all heard her. She said no. It is forbidden to take a mate without her consent."

"Those are Lycan laws, she’s shifter."

Zeke steadied his aim on Ares. "Don't make me do it, Boss. Please don't. I know what you are feeling right now, but she said no. If you cross this line, you will lose her forever."

River's heart hammered as Ares' grip tightened on her body.

"Please, Your Highness," said Lachlan. "This isn't you. You know it isn't."

"I take what I want."

"Not this time, Ares. Not like this," said Theo.

Ares stared down at her, his all-black eyes as terrifying as the inhumane expression on his face.

He took her in. His eyes cleared, and he let go of her.

She scrambled backward on the table, pressing her palm to her skin to see if he'd drawn blood.

His expression shifted, and he stalked out of the room before she said a word.

River began to shake, and her breathing came in and out in harsh bursts.

When a door slammed across the suite, she almost fell off the table. Zeke steadied her, and she clung to him.

"Zeke," Theo warned.

"He's my sister's mate. He's basically my brother," she yelled. "Leave."

Theo glanced between Zeke and River and then nodded to Lachlan. The two exited the room, leaving the door open.

Zeke wrapped his arm around River's shoulders. "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, weaker and more out of control than ever.

He released her and pushed her to arm's length. "Your mother would have my balls for dinner if I let anything happen to you. I'm sure Bianca would, too."

River let out a harsh laugh and nodded. Memories bombarded her again.

The bite. The pain. Stabbing and stabbing and stabbing with the potato peeler. Her wolf screaming at her.

"Not him! Not this one!"

"Why don't you find something to wear? We need to have a conversation."

River blinked back tears which threatened to spill, and she touched her neck again. He hadn't done it. He'd stopped. But not of his own accord. If Theo and Zeke hadn't been there… Would he have stopped?

Zeke picked the bags off the floor and pulled out a velour tracksuit with the word Pink on the butt. He handed it to her, and she bit her tongue at the protest which formed in her mouth.

"Thank you." She took the outfit, grabbed some underwear off the floor, and shuffled to the bathroom to dress.

* * *

"I explained our laws to her," Zeke said. "I told her she must say yes to you marking her. She understands if she doesn't, and you mark her or try to take her, it is a death sentence."

Ares hung his head in his hands. He didn't want to feel this way. He didn't want to want River. Had she not been his mate, he would have noticed her extreme beauty and tried to take her into his bed, but he'd never imagined letting her into his head and to his wolf the way she did.

But he couldn't help it. She was an Omega - his Omega. Everything about her sang to him like his own private melody. But how? She should have been submissive- she wasn't. She should have fallen at his feet- she didn't. She should have been overjoyed to have been chosen to be his- not even slightly. How? How could he want her so badly it made his muscles ache, and yet she couldn't stand to be in the same room as him?

"Did I hurt her?" Ares asked.

"No."

Ares nodded. Well, there was that at least. When his wolf took over, there was no telling what he'd do. And if he hurt her… the council's punishment wouldn't begin to hurt as much as the knowledge that he'd done something to her. Her terrified eyes when she'd seen him barely wolfed out had been like a cold, wet rag to the nether regions. It had almost broken him to see her so scared and know he'd made her afraid.

"I think it's better if I move into another suite for the remainder of our stay," said Ares.

"Boss-"

Ares stood and straightened his tie. "I have meetings today, and I need to make sure things are running smoothly at home. Please make sure River has everything she needs. I'll take the suite next door."

"Don't you want me to come with you?"

Ares whipped his suit jacket from the back of his chair. "I'll take Santiago and Drew."

"Boss-"

"Take her wherever she wants to go. Just make sure she is back before dark." Ares dug into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. "And take this. Buy her whatever she requires." He handed Zeke his credit card and made for the door.

"Ares."

Ares stopped without turning.

"She will come around. You need to be patient."

"Why is it me who has to be patient?" he asked. "Why can't she get with the program?"

"Because that's not how it works, unfortunately. You have to understand shifters have been taught to fear Lycans from birth. Lycans are the boogeymen under the bed. It takes time to break down those years and years of indoctrination. Yes, her body wants you. Yes, her wolf wants you. But in her head, you are still the executioner of shifters."

"But I'm not the one who started those rumors, and I'm not the one who keeps trying to perpetuate them. That's why I'm here to meet with the Alphas. I'm trying to break those rumors."

"I understand. And I know that now, but it took me time too, when I met you. Same with the others. She doesn't know yet. But she will. Just like we know."

"So, what do I do, Zeke?"

"Firstly? Try to control your temper. River may like a take-charge guy, but she doesn't like being scared of him."

"I would never hurt her." Even as the words left his mouth, he realized he'd been ready to an hour before.

"Show her."

Ares turned to the door again. "Make sure they have my suite ready for tonight. I don't know when I'll be back."

He walked out of the second bedroom and down the hall to the sitting room. He smelled River in the master bedroom but didn't dare say goodbye.

"Drew, Santiago, let's go."

He stalked to the suite entrance. Damn. It would be a long day.

* * *

River spent the day in her room. Within fifteen minutes of the suite door slamming shut, it flew open again with a bang, and her bedroom door flung inward. She stiffened, waiting for a verbal barrage. But it wasn't Ares, it was Bianca. Tear-streaked face, makeup, and hair untamed, she burst into the room and ran to River.

"I'm so sorry, sis. I'm so sorry. I didn't know. It's all my fault. I should never have made you come out with us. I didn't know." Bianca flung her arms around River.

River hugged her little sister and squeezed her eyes shut. She wanted to break down. She wanted to bawl her eyes out, too, but she couldn't. She had to be in control for both of them.

"It's okay, B. It's not your fault. None of this is your fault. It would have happened sooner or later. I had hoped it would be later, much later."

Bianca searched River's face, wiping the tears from her cheeks. Her face scrunched up, and she pinched River hard.

"Ow!"

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Cherry and Strider didn't want me to. They didn't want anyone to know."

"You could have told me. I wouldn't have let it slip."

River pushed the dark hair from her little sister's eyes. "I know, B."

Bianca chewed her lip. "Are you… did he…"

River shook her head, remembering Ares's eyes. "No. I thought he might, but he didn't."

Bianca flung her arms around River again. This time, as Bianca hugged her, River hugged her fiercely. Her emotions swirled inside her as her wolf glowered at her. How the hell did she live when half of her wanted to be free, and the other half wanted to be his?

After several minutes, Bianca let go and went to the racks. She chewed her bottom lip, and River chuckled.

"Go on. You're dying to go through them."

Bianca's eyes shone. "Are you sure? He won't be mad?"

River's brows knit. "I don't care if he does. They are mine. He said so. If I want to light them on fire or donate them to charity, that's my choice."

Horror crossed Bianca's features. "You wouldn't dare. They're designer."

"Take anything you want."

River and Bianca spent the morning chatting and trying things on. Surprisingly, River liked more than half the things Ares had picked for her. Eating a burger and fries, she wondered how and where Ares had gotten all those things late at night. Did he have Victoria's Secret on speed dial or something? The thought made her wolf growl. River didn't want to think of Ares having a lingerie store on speed dial so he could buy his latest conquest whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. The thought of him with another female made River's wolf rise to her feet for the first time in hours and let out a warning growl so possessive it scared River.

Mine. My mate. My Alpha.

River rubbed her chest at the sudden surge of anger that flooded her. Yeah, yeah. I get it.

Her wolf glared at her as if telling her to hurry up already. But River wasn't sure she wanted to hurry up. She had a life in New York. A job. A job she loved. And though Ares had swooped in and bought all of her sculptures, others had wanted to buy her art. Rich people. Important people. And she was leaving all of it behind, why? For a man? Okay, not just a man. A super-hot melt-your-panties-off-with-a-glance man. His eyes floated into her mind and the way he'd touched her. She craved his touch again like she'd never craved anything. The feel of his giant hands sliding up her thigh, under her dress, and down-

"We should go out," Bianca announced, pulling River from her thoughts.

"Uh… not today, B. I'm exhausted."

Bianca smiled and bounded over to the bed, bouncing on it. "Movie marathon!"

River smiled. "Yes."

Bianca plopped down beside her and laid back on the pillows. "Rom coms. Or holiday romances. Something fun and light."

River nodded. Romances weren't her thing when it came to movies. She wasn't in the mood to see people fall in love, but she didn't want to ruin Bianca's day. Bianca remained on cloud ten with her impending mating to Zeke, and River didn't want to ruin it for her because of her own messed up situation.

"Holidays," she said, and Bianca smiled and reached for the remote.

Bianca clicked on the enormous flat screen and called for Zeke. As if standing right outside the door waiting for her to beckon, the door opened, and he walked in, giving River a slight bow before turning his sparkling eyes on Bianca. The adoration shining through his eyes made River's heart clench. Ares had looked at her the same way the night they'd met in the club.

She didn't want to think about Ares. But how the heck did she not when his delicious scent lingered in the room, and she wore the clothing he'd bought her and ate the food he provided?

"Zeke, we need movie stuff."

His eyebrows scrunched. "Movie stuff?"

"You know," said Bianca. "Popcorn, candy, soda. Movie stuff."

He smiled. "Of course, my love."

Bianca blushed and chewed her bottom lip. The air between them heated.

Her wolf grumbled. Ares. Mine .

River rolled her eyes.

By the time they'd seen four movies, River needed a break. The clock read seven p.m. Ares should be back soon. Shouldn't he? She stood from the lush bed and cleaned up the wrappers from all the candy they'd eaten and half a dozen soda cans. She didn't want him to think she was a total slob.

She stopped, realizing she cared what he thought of her. She'd never cared what people thought of her before.

"What do you want to do now?" River asked.

"You mean you're done?" Bianca's mouth pulled into a frown.

River couldn't remember the last time she'd relaxed and binged movies. A year? More? All she'd done was work since moving to New York and starting school. The knowledge she had no commitments to anything both scared and intrigued her. Her high school summers were the last time she'd had no commitments.

River smiled. "I wondered if you wanted to do something else."

"Like what?"

River shrugged. "I need to leave this room. I need air."

Bianca stood. "There's a patio with a hot tub and pool. We should go swim."

River wasn't up for swimming, but a soak would be glorious. She nodded.

"I'll have to borrow a swimsuit," said Bianca.

"No need to borrow. Take one. I can't imagine a world where I'd need all five."

Bianca ran to the rack without being told twice, yanked a gold bikini off the hook, and looked at River expectantly.

"Go for it."

The thing would barely cover Bianca's curvy assets, and River couldn't wait to see Zeke's reaction.

Bianca squealed and tossed off her maxi dress.

River, too, went to the rack and thumbed through the suits. She settled on the least revealing one: a black halter one-piece with cut-out sides.

Several minutes later, she and Bianca emerged from the bedroom with towels slung over their shoulders and headed to the front room. The aromas of the men who had stayed all day permeated the spacious suite. She caught Ares' sultry scent, and that somehow disappointed her.

They emerged into the front room, and the men glanced over from a football game they'd been watching. Theo choked on his beer and spat it out on the floor before averting his eyes away. Lachlan's cheeks flushed and he too turned away, but it was Zeke's reaction River found most amusing. Bianca gave him a huge smile and ran to him, kissing him hard. Zeke kissed her back. Pulling her arms from around his neck, he wrapped the towel around her.

"Bianca! What are you doing?" he demanded.

Bianca's face fell. "River and I are going swimming."

Zeke glanced at River and then away. "You… you can't come out here dressed or not dressed, I should say."

Bianca frowned. "You don't like my suit?"

Zeke growled and looked over his shoulder at Theo and Lachlan who studied a painting on the wall with particular interest.

"I fricking love the suit but…"

"But what?"

"But you should not be out amongst other males wearing practically nothing," came a booming voice behind them.

River swung around to find Ares standing with Santiago and Drew in the doorway. Both of whom stared pointedly at their shoes.

Ares' heated gaze raked over River's body, and she wrapped her own towel around herself, though every ounce of her wanted him to look at her. To see her. To want her.

What? Where the hell had that come from?

Ares growled as his eyes stayed on River, and the four bodyguards, minus Zeke, walked straight out of the suite.

Ares didn't move. He didn't make another sound. He simply watched River, his eyes hungry. His impeccably tailored suit fit his frame meticulously. His dark waves had been slicked back, and his jaw sported a few days of stubble, which had been groomed to fit the hard angles of his face. She wondered if he did it or had someone else do it. He was the perfect mix of hot male model and bad boy biker.

Suddenly, she didn't want to soak in the hot tub with Bianca. She wanted to soak in the hot tub with Ares. To see those rippling, tanned muscles and feel his hands grab her once again.

Nope! Stop. Don't go there.

River's arousal grew so fast she wasn't sure if she'd been heading for the hot tub or if she'd already been in it.

"Did… your meetings go well?" she asked, trying to slice through the tension.

Ares nodded but still didn't speak.

"You two go out on the patio," said Zeke. "I'll order everyone some food. Then we can have dinner together." He pecked Bianca on the cheek and moved her toward the sliding doors.

"Are you coming, sis?"

River watched Ares. What the hell was she waiting for? She didn't need his permission.

She waited another few seconds to see if Ares would say something. When he didn't, she walked out the sliding glass door and entered the warm hot tub, wishing for an icy shower instead.