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CHAPTER ONE

ARES

A sharp set of fangs pierced Ares' shoulder. He roared, grabbed the rogue by his jaws, and pried them apart until they snapped. Then ripped the rogue's throat out.

Another rogue took the first's place, but Ares shoved his fist through the wolf's chest and yanked his heart out.

"Ares!"

He turned as a rogue slammed a chair on Apollo's head. Ares jumped over his brother and flung the rogue across the room.

"No one kills my brother but me," he roared.

Apollo bled profusely from several places, and his skin turned ashy. Another rogue raced at Ares, but Ares caught him by the throat and ripped his head clean off. Blood sprayed over Ares and rained down on Apollo.

He scanned the room for River and caught the hem of her pink gown as Titan disappeared with her into the hallway.

All around, Alphas and Betas battled rogues. Mates hurried from the room, but several had already been taken down.

There were too many rogues. They were outnumbered at least five to one.

Ares' gut clenched. He had no idea Titan had collected so many.

Apollo dragged himself next to Ares. "What the hell are you doing? Where is she?"

Ares pointed.

"What the fuck are you waiting for?"

Ares looked at his glassy-eyed brother, who could not even sit up.

Less poison coursed through Ares' veins, slowing and weakening him. It wouldn't be long before he himself lost consciousness. He couldn't imagine how Apollo wasn't already blacked out and convulsing.

Ares' vision clouded as he inspected Apollo. No. He was not going to lose them both. Apollo may be an asshole. But he was Ares' asshole.

Suddenly, shots rang out as Theo took down three more rogues. More men rushed into the room. Bloodied and ripped apart, both his and Apollo's men tore into the room like a tidal wave. They cut their way to the front of the room, taking out rogues as they went. Theo and Santiago grabbed Ares.

"We need to get you out of here."

Ares shook his head. "We need to save as many Alphas and mates as we can. And to keep as many rogues alive as possible."

Santiago scanned the melee. "Where's your Princess?"

"Titan."

A rogue rushed them, but Santiago pulled the trigger, and the wolf dropped.

Lachlan limped forward. "You're hurt."

"Not for long." Ares leaned on Theo and took a deep breath before digging a talon into a bullet wound and yanking the metal free. He did the same with the second bullet in his knee. Damn. That one was going to take time to heal.

With the bullets free, his wolf roared and clawed to be let out. Ares wasn't sure taking out the bullets would be enough, but he had to try. He'd heal faster in Lycan form.

"Silas, Thomas, pull Apollo out now! Santiago, Theo, and the rest of you save the Alphas," Ares called. "Don't kill all the traitors. I want answers. I am going after my mate."

"I should go with you," said Santiago.

"No." Ares stripped off his shirt. "I need you to take charge here. This is something I need to do myself."

"But what if-"

"You have Apollo. So make sure he lives."

Santiago wanted to say more, but Ares growled. He didn't have time for this.

"Go! I order you." A ripple pulsed through Ares, and his Alpha command could not be ignored.

Santiago burst from his suit, fur sprouting all over his body as he leapt onto the floor.

Ares shifted and raced for the door.

"Find her!" Apollo's words echoed down the hallway as he headed for the front entrance.

He had a single goal. Find River and rip Titan apart in the process.