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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

TITAN

T itan paced the length of the formal dining room, tension radiating through him.

He'd instructed Anna, a former executive chef and the rogues, to prepare an elaborate meal to demonstrate to River that life with him could be good and comfortable.

Luxurious, even. The twins weren't the only ones who could spoil her.

Rich tapestries and exquisite paintings adorned the formal dining room.

A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow across the room.

Fine china and silver cutlery adorned the table.

And every inch of their opulence had him almost as on edge as waiting for River.

None of it was his. His mother had designed every foot of the house.

Every painting her choice. And every dollar's worth of finery his mother's dream.

To Titan, they were nothing more than a waste.

However, he was more than happy to use them in his favor if it meant he might be able to win over River.

Titan's dark navy suit clung to his broad shoulders, making it tighter than it should.

The last time he'd worn the suit had been at his mother's funeral.

His heart squeezed at the memory. Though it had been years, he felt like every day was the day he'd found his mom's body in her bed.

A wave of grief washed through him, and he locked it away, refusing to give in to sadness, knowing that she would be proud to see what he'd become and what he'd built for her.

And even more so that he was going to be king with an Omega as his mate.

He glanced at the wall clock. River should have been there over fifteen minutes prior. Was he fooling himself? Would she refuse to come? Could he ever win her over after everything that had happened? Everything he'd done?

The door opened, and Kane entered with River close behind.

Titan's breath caught at the sight of her.

The simple blue sweater hugged her curves in all the right places, and her hair gleamed silver in the soft lighting.

The comfortable-looking pants seemed to dwarf her petite frame, but also suited her.

He'd never seen her wear anything like it before.

That pleased him. She was trying new things.

First painting and now new styles. It was a good sign.

"River," he said, stepping forward. "You look lovely."

"It's a sweater and knit pants." She scanned him. "Guess I underdressed for the occasion."

"No. You're perfect." Titan strode forward and pulled out a chair for her.

His wolf whined and paced.

Keep it cool. Stay cool.

She eyed him and sat.

He felt Kane's harsh gaze and nodded to him. He didn't need Kane's presence upsetting dinner.

Kane glanced at the back of River's head and left without a word.

Titan lifted River's chair and slid her into the table. "Would you like some wine?"

"Cola."

He looked over at the wine he'd picked out specifically for dinner, and his smile fell.

His wolf growled. No. Respect.

Shut it.

Titan had spent an hour looking over the bottles in his cellar. "Of course."

He turned to Austin, standing in the corner. "Get my mate a cola from the fridge, please."

Austin nodded.

"Bring a whole six-pack, please," River said.

Austin smiled. "Of course, Highness."

Titan's wolf leapt to his feet and bared his teeth. No talk. No smile. Mine. My mate.

Titan's wolf surged forward, wanting to rip Austin apart for smiling at River.

Titan swallowed hard and walked to the other end of the table before sitting.

He knows River. They grew up together in the same pack. We want her to be comfortable, he reminded himself, as well as his wolf.

Titan poured a large glass of wine and downed it before filling the glass again. "You can go, Austin. I'll call you when we are ready for the main course."

Austin nodded. "Of course, Highness."

Titan waited for Austin to disappear before blowing out a breath. Why the hell was he so nervous? Why was he like an anxious pup on its first pack run?

He sipped his wine and swirled it on his tongue. He forced a smile on his face as River scrutinized him.

"How did the painting go? Did you like it?"

Austin returned with the six-pack, tore one from the pack, and handed it to River before retreating to the corner. River popped the tab on the cola and took a sip. "The supplies are impressive."

Titan beamed. "I'm glad you liked them. I wanted to make sure you had everything you might need."

"Except my freedom," River muttered.

An awkward silence fell between them as the first course was served- an elegant salad with candied walnuts and goat cheese.

River picked at her food, and Titan searched for something to say.

"I hope you're finding your accommodations comfortable," he ventured.

River dropped her fork with a clatter. "My accommodations? Are we going to do this? Pretend I've been allowed accommodations and not a holding cell. That this is a dinner date and not you kidnapped me and forced me to come up here?"

Titan clutched his fork so tight it bent.

He laid it on the table, trying to figure out the best response.

How much longer could he put up with her constant rejection without lashing out?

He'd never had a woman not want him before.

Rebuff him at every turn and look at him like he'd murdered her toy poodle and laughed while he'd done it.

"I'm trying to make the best of a difficult situation. For both of us."

"Both of us?" River scoffed. "You're the one who chose to attack my mates to take me against my will, and to lock me up in your house as a prisoner. How in the world is this 'difficult' on you at all?"

"I had no choice but to take you!" Titan growled. "You're my mate. I couldn't stand by and let you bond with them."

River leaned forward, her eyes glowing with anger. "I am not your mate. I rejected you. You have no claim on me."

Titan stiffened, trying to keep his wolf at bay.

Take. Mine. Mate. Take now. Make her submit.

No!

His wolf tore at his chains to be let free. Weak. Insignificant. Human.

Titan shoved his wolf away. If he lost it now, she'd never accept him.

His wolf growled, but Titan refused to back down.

Finally, his wolf backed off but didn't entirely lie down.

He opened his eyes to find River staring at him.

"I know you don't believe me now," he said, trying to keep his voice even.

"But in time, you'll see. We're meant to be together, River.

Everything I've done, building this pack, gathering these rogues, it's all been for you.

To create a world where we can be together without interference from the old guard. "

River shook her head. "You're delusional, Titan. What you're doing is wrong. These rogues have genuine grievances and real pain. But you're using them for your own selfish ends."

Titan's wolf lunged forward, and Titan slammed his fist on the table, making the dishes rattle. "I'm trying to change things for the better. To create a world where no one has to suffer like I did, like my mother did, and like the other rogues have."

River's lips thinned. "Is that what you are doing? Or are you just trying to enact some petty vengeance on those you perceive as having wronged you?"

Titan stared at her, unable to look away. A strange sensation raced through him. Her steady, heavy stare told him he should cower. He should look away and submit to her. He didn't like it. Didn't like how her stare made him feel. Weak. Out of control.

Though Titan refused to look away, his wolf laid down and submitted to her.

Holy shit.

His wolf had never done that to another wolf ever. Not his mother. Not his father. Not Kane. No one. Shifter or Lycan.

"Enough of this," Titan growled. "Eat. You need to keep up your strength."

Titan downed his second glass of wine before pouring a third.

River picked up her fork again and stabbed her salad. He waited for her to eat first, and when she didn't, he gave in and ate.