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CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

APOLLO

T he convoy of SUVs slowed at the tall gates of Titan's compound.

Apollo sat rigid in the passenger seat, his eyes fixed on the sprawling grounds that had held River prisoner for so long.

The walls that had kept her in. The floors that she'd paced.

The men who had held her hostage and not let her go.

His wolf snarled.

Beside him, Silas drove with practiced precision, and Duncan sat in the backseat with Regan. In the vehicle behind them, Ares rode with Theo and four other trusted bodyguards.

"Stop here," Apollo commanded as they reached the perimeter where dozens of Alphas and Betas gathered, their restless energy palpable through the tinted windows.

As Apollo exited the vehicle, Alpha Elkan from the midwestern territory strode forward, his massive frame vibrating with aggression.

"About time you arrived," he growled, not bothering with formalities. "We've been waiting for hours."

"We came at your call, but our patience wears thin." Alpha Elena, her sleek form moving fluidly through the gathered crowd. "

Ares joined his brother, his expression betraying nothing of the turmoil within, but Apollo could tell from his stiff movements that Ares barely held it together.

"The situation is delicate," Apollo said. "We appreciate your presence, but this will be handled our way."

Murmurs rippled through the gathered Alphas, some nodding in respect, others exchanging skeptical glances.

"And what way is that?" demanded Alpha Ronan, his scarred face twisted in a sneer. "Negotiating with rogues who kidnapped your mate? They deserve death, all of them."

Ares' eyes flashed. "What they deserve is not for you to decide. And neither is how long you wait. You are not the kings; we are, and we decide what happens. If you don't like it, you are more than welcome to abdicate your positions and your packs now and walk away."

Tension crackled in the air as the twins moved toward the gate, their guards forming a protective formation around them. The Alphas parted, their displeasure evident, but their respect for the kings holding them in check. For the moment at least.

As they approached the iron gates, Apollo spotted a group of wolves gathered on the other side. About forty wolves, led by a powerfully built man with a bloodied shoulder, started toward the gate.

Apollo's wolf snarled. Kill. Hurt mate. Kill them.

"That's close enough," Apollo called. "Kane, I presume?"

Kane nodded, his face bruised and bloodied, but his posture straight as he faced them. "Yes, Your Majesty. We're here to surrender, as agreed."

Apollo's gaze swept over the rogues behind Kane. A ragtag collection of wolves, many looking more frightened than dangerous. Women clutched younger wolves to their sides, while others supported comrades.

"And Titan?" Ares yelled, his voice hard.

"Sedated in a van in the garage." Kane gestured toward the main building. "Heavily restrained with silver, as you requested."

"Vanessa?" Apollo asked.

Kane's expression tightened. "She helped sedate Titan but disappeared in the commotion when the others refused to leave him."

Apollo's wolf growled. Traitor bitch.

"How many are still in there?" Ares asked.

"Maybe twenty."

"Who shot you?"

Kane looked at his shoulder and licked his lips. "Not one of your Alphas."

Apollo's jaw tightened. If the rogues inside were willing to shoot Kane, they were ready to die before surrendering. Promise or no promise to River, he couldn't save those who refused to be saved.

Kane gestured to the group behind him. "These are the refugees.

Wolves cast out of their packs for various reasons.

Some for challenging corrupt Alphas, others for being what their packs wanted them to be.

" He pointed to a young female holding the hand of a preteen boy.

"Sarah was exiled when she refused to mate her Alpha's son.

The boy is her cousin. Both his parents were killed during a pack run. No one would say how or why."

A low growl rumbled through several of the watching Alphas.

"This older woman, Belinda, was a healer, banished for treating rogues.

Those three young males were kicked out for supporting a Beta who challenged their Alpha's decision to execute a packmate.

" His eyes hardened. "None of them participated in River's kidnapping.

No one even learned she was here until after the fact. "

Ares exchanged a glance with Apollo, both processing Kane's words against what River had told them.

"You mentioned others still inside," Apollo said.

Kane's expression tightened with regret. "They're heavily armed and determined to protect Titan. They believe death in battle is preferable to submitting to Alpha authority again."

"Led by whom?" Ares demanded.

"Marius and Lydia. Both were chased for years before Titan found them. They've... seen the worst of what Alphas can do."

Several of the gathered pack leaders bristled at the implied accusation, but Apollo raised a hand, silencing them before they could protest.

Ares huffed, his patience wearing thin. "Open the gates."

Kane nodded to one of the rogues behind him, who moved to the control panel beside the massive iron barrier. With a mechanical groan, the gates slid apart.

"Remember your promise," Kane said. "These wolves deserve a fair hearing."

"They'll get one," Apollo assured him. "But first, we secure Titan and deal with those still resisting inside."

As the gates opened fully, revealing the sprawling estate beyond, a deafening explosion rocked the compound. Glass shattered as windows blew out of the west wing, flames erupting from the upper floor. Screams and shouts erupted from both sides of the gate as debris rained down.

"What the hell?" Ares' eyes flashed dangerously.

Kane's face drained of color. "The armory. It's in the west wing."

"They're destroying everything," a rogue cried.

"Get them out of here!" Apollo commanded, gesturing to Duncan, Regan, and Silas. "Load them in the transport vans. Get them to the safe houses.”

The guards moved with practiced efficiency, herding the surrendering rogues toward the waiting vehicles as another explosion rocked the compound, smaller this time but no less concerning.

"Keep them separated from each other until they can be processed," Apollo added, his voice cutting through the chaos. "No one speaks to them except us and the High Luna."

As the rogues loaded into the vans, Apollo turned to Ares. "This is about to spiral out of control."

Ares' eyes remained fixed on the burning building, his face hard as granite. "We can't let Titan escape. If he gets away-"

"I know," Apollo cut him off. "But those rogues inside are armed and desperate."

"They chose their fate when they decided to side with him," Ares growled.

Before Apollo could respond, Alpha Elkan pushed forward, his face contorted with contained rage. "Enough discussion. We came here for justice!"

Ares roared before staring down Elkan.

"Justice?" Apollo challenged. "Or vengeance?"

"Is there a difference?" Alpha Elena joined Elkan, her features tight. "These rogues took our packmates, slaughtered other Alphas. They kidnapped your mate. They deserve no mercy."

Other Alphas murmured their agreement, moving closer, their wolves pushing at the surface as the scent of blood and fire filled the air.

"You are not king here, Elena," Ares shouted. "You will do as we say, or you challenge us right now for the throne."

Elena looked at Ares for a split second before inclining her head and stepping back.

"The same goes for all of you," Apollo snarled. "You need to remember you do not rule, we do. And from now on, we'll make sure you remember that. Every last one of you. If any of you have a problem with us, we will deal with it swiftly and with finality."

"My Beta died at their hands," Alpha Ronan sneered. "His heart ripped out while he begged for his life. I will not leave until I've seen justice done."

Apollo surveyed the gathered Alphas, recognizing the dangerous edge to their restlessness. If he denied them, he risked losing their loyalty, perhaps permanently. Some had traveled over a thousand miles at his call, abandoning their territories and responsibilities. All expected blood.

"Very well," Apollo conceded. "You want blood? Then you'll have blood."

Ares looked to Apollo, and he thought Ares might argue. Instead, he nodded.

"Remember," said Ares. "Any rogue who surrenders is to be taken alive. Any unnecessary deaths will be answered for with a life."

"This is your only time," Apollo added. "No matter what happens, after tonight, it's over. This ends here."

The Alphas organized into strike teams.

Apollo turned back to Kane. "Where is Titan?"

"Underground garage," Kane replied, his voice tight. "Northeast corner of the main building. Black van with tinted windows."

"Show us," Ares demanded.

Kane hesitated, looking at the burning compound.

"Go with the Alphas," Ares commanded Zeke and Theo. "Secure the building, look for Vanessa. Don't let her get away."

The guards obeyed, and the first wave of Alphas shifted, their massive wolf forms charging through the gates with thunderous snarls. Betas followed suit, fanning out across the grounds as more explosions shook the compound.

"We need to move," Apollo said, already striding forward.

Kane led the way through the chaos. Gunfire erupted, followed by howls of pain. The scent of blood thickened in the air as wolves clashed with the armed rogues barricaded inside.

"This way," Kane directed them toward a side entrance as flames engulfed more of the main building. "The garage can be accessed through here."

They moved swiftly through a corridor lined with opulent furnishings, evidence of Titan's wealth. Every turn mimicked their estate. Paintings adorned walls, their frames gleaming with gold leaf, even as smoke filled the hallways.

They turned into the kitchen, and Ares growled. "How much further?"