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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

RIVER

T he safe house hummed with activity as the sun rose, painting the eastern sky in hues of pink and gold.

River lay propped against pillows, her body weak, but her spirit strengthening with each passing hour.

The transfusion from Cherry had helped immensely, bringing color back to her pale skin and clarity to her mind. Even her scrapes had begun to heal.

She rested her hands on her belly, still unable to believe she was having twins. Twin boys for her twin mates. She smiled.

Dr. Keller changed the bandages on River's wounds, which were now clean and properly sutured. Though healing faster than a human would, the wound would still take time to mend completely.

Dr. Keller packed away her equipment. "You've healed somewhat since last night." She gave River a stern look. "But you need rest. Proper nutrition. And absolutely no more escaping through razor wire fences."

River smiled weakly. "I'll try to restrain myself."

Apollo sat beside her on the bed, his fingers intertwined with hers, while Ares paced near the window, his powerful frame silhouetted against the morning light.

Both twins had refused to leave her through the night, taking turns holding her as she slept fitfully, plagued by nightmares of concrete walls and endless darkness.

A gentle knock at the door preceded Strider's entrance. "How are you feeling, kid?" he asked, his face creased with concern.

"Better." River squeezed Apollo's hand. "Much better."

Strider nodded, relief evident in his posture. "Good. Can I get you anything? Cola, cookies?"

"No," Dr. Keller answered. "The girl needs meat, vegetables, fruit. You know, stuff that is going to feed her body, not just fill up her belly."

River smiled. "I'm okay, thanks. I'll let you know if I need anything."

Strider nodded, and Santiago entered.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but we have a situation developing."

Ares turned from the window, his golden eyes sharp. "What kind of situation?"

"The compound is surrounded," Theo reported. "Every Alpha and Beta in the region answered the call. They've formed a perimeter, no one in, no one out."

Apollo tensed. "And Titan?"

"No sign of him trying to escape yet," Santiago replied. "But there's movement inside. Looks like they're preparing for something."

Ares growled. "I should be there."

"No," River said firmly. "You should be here. With me."

Ares turned to her, conflict evident in his expression. "Of course, Beloved."

"The Council is there," Santiago continued. "They're demanding to speak with both of you."

"They can wait," Apollo's thumb traced circles on River's palm.

Santiago shifted uncomfortably. "They're insisting. They say this is unprecedented, nearly every Alpha in North America gathered without Council authorization. They're threatening sanctions."

Ares snorted. "Sanctions against who? Us? What can they do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing."

"It's not just that," Santiago added. "There are rogues inside that compound. Dozens, maybe more. The Council wants to know what to do with them."

River's eyes widened. "They're not all bad."

Both twins looked at her questioningly, and she continued.

"The rogues. Some of them were just trying to survive.

Titan and the others told me about how they were treated.

They were hunted and driven off because they were perceived as competition to the Alphas.

Or because they didn't like who the goddess had chosen as their fated mate," River's voice grew stronger as she spoke.

"The ones who followed Titan, many of them were desperate.

They believed his promises of a better life, of equality.

They wanted a pack, a home, something to believe in. "

Apollo's brow furrowed. "That doesn't excuse what they did. What he did to you."

"No," River agreed, wincing as she shifted position. "But if we slaughter them all, we're no better than the Alphas who judged them unfairly and without proof of them doing anything worth being exiled for."

Ares stalked back to the bed, his expression intense. "What are you suggesting?"

"Justice, not vengeance. The Council needs to hear what I learned. About the rogues, about the corruption in some of the packs." She took a breath. "They need to hear it from me."

"Absolutely not," Ares growled.

"Out of the question," Apollo said simultaneously.

River's eyes flashed golden. "I wasn't asking permission."

The twins exchanged a look of equal parts frustration, admiration, and resignation.

"River," Apollo began, "you can hardly sit up. You're pregnant with our children. You need rest and recovery, not a confrontation with the Council."

"And I'll rest," River assured him, "after I make sure those rogues get a fair hearing." Her hand moved to her stomach. "Our children deserve to be born into a world where justice matters more than bloodlines."

Strider cleared his throat. "For what it's worth, I think she's right."

Ares glared at him. "Of course you'd say that. You're her father."

"Yes, I am," Strider agreed, unintimidated. "Which is why I know that stubborn look on her face. She's going with or without your blessing."

Dr. Keller, who'd been observing silently, stepped forward. "If, and I stress if, she goes, it must be brief. No more than an hour. She needs to be seated the entire time, with medical support nearby."

River smiled at the doctor. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me," Dr. Keller retorted. "I think it's a terrible idea. But I've worked with enough Alphas to know when I'm fighting a losing battle."

Another knock at the door preceded Cherry's entrance. She took in the tense atmosphere with a raised eyebrow. "What did I miss?"

"Mom." River seized the opportunity. "Tell them I need to speak to the Council."

Cherry nodded. "About the rogues?"

River nodded, surprised. "How did you know?"

"Because I raised you. And because I've heard your nightmares." She crossed the room to sit on the bed. "You've been talking in your sleep. About rogues, about justice, about things being not what we thought."

River squeezed her mother's hand. "There's so much the Council doesn't know. Or has chosen to ignore. But this can't continue to be ignored."

Cherry nodded, then turned to the twins. "She needs to be there. Not just for the rogues, but for herself. For closure."

Ares ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. "And if it's too much? If she collapses? If Titan somehow-"

"Titan won't get near her," Cherry interrupted. "Not with every Alpha in North America standing between them."

Apollo studied River's face for a long moment, his golden eyes searching hers. Finally, he sighed. "One hour. You speak your piece, then we bring you straight back. And you stay in a wheelchair the entire time."

"Agreed," River said before he could add more conditions.

Ares growled, clearly unhappy but unwilling to argue further. "Fine. But we take every precaution. Full security detail. And at the first sign of trouble, we leave."

River nodded, relief washing over her. She hadn't been sure they would agree, and she'd been preparing for a much longer argument. "Thank you."

Dr. Keller shook her head disapprovingly. "I'll prepare something for pain and get a portable monitor ready. You'll wear it the entire time."

As the doctor left, Santiago pulled out his phone. "I'll let the Council know you're coming. And arrange transportation."

Cherry stood, determined. "I'll help you dress. Something that makes you look strong but doesn't put pressure on your wounds."

Left alone with her mates, River found herself the focus of twin golden gazes burning with protective intensity.

"Are you sure about this?" Apollo thumb tracing her palm.

River nodded. "I have to. Not just for the rogues, but for us." She looked between them. "I've seen the darkness in our world, and I can't unsee it. I can't pretend it doesn't exist. How can I be the High Luna and allow these things to continue?"

Ares moved to her other side, the mattress dipping under his weight as he sat. "We'll be right beside you. Every second."

River reached for his hand. "I'm counting on it."

The twins exchanged another look over her head, some unspoken communication passing between them.

"What?" River asked.

"We're just wondering," Apollo said. "Whether we are going to rule now or if you are."

"Don't get us wrong," said Ares. "I'd happily leave everything to you and just be your sexy arm candy from now on."

"Not me," said Apollo. "I'd be a stay-at-home dad."

Oh my goddess, were they serious?

Her wolf chuffed for the first time in weeks, making River chuckle.

"No. I don't want to rule. I don't want to be king, but if I am to be your queen, things have to change. Did you know Alphas were kicking out males they felt were competition?"

Apollo and Ares looked at each other.

"You did," she said. "How could you allow that to happen?"

"Beloved, we have a lot on our plates, small things here and there are not something we can get in the middle of. Do you know how much of our time would be consumed with that stuff?" said Ares.

River withdrew her hands from theirs and folded her arms. "If you want me to be your Luna, then you will make time.

Several of those rogues were kicked out because the Alpha didn't like who they ended up with as a fated mate.

They thought the males were not worthy enough, but that's not their call.

It should never be their call. And a wolf shouldn't be banished to wander alone with no pack or family because of fate's decision.

Or what about the female forced to mate the Alpha's son because he wanted her.

He raped her. Over and over. And he did it all under the banner of the mating bond. She is forever damaged."

"We didn't know about that," said Apollo.

"Of course not. Who would tell you? A rogue? Would you have even listened?"

"Probably not," said Ares.