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Ares set his suit pants and shirt on a chair before pulling on his black satin pajama pants. "He went up to the cabins for the night."

River choked down the meat. "Is he upset?"

Ares shook his head and sat on the bed next to her. "He just wants to lock up the main cabin and make a list of things the rogues will need before they move in."

"Wow, he's moving fast."

"We can't keep them where they're staying now. It's tight, and it's already been a week."

"When will he be back?"

"Probably tomorrow night."

River wished she could call him, but he wouldn't have a signal anyway. She wondered why he hadn't said goodbye to her before leaving.

"So, did you two think about the idea? Did you come to a decision?"

Ares grabbed a roll, broke a piece off, and popped it in his mouth. "Not yet."

River nodded, not wanting to press him.

"So what do you want to do tonight?" he asked.

"Whatever you want to do."

"Well, I want to do what you want to do. Even watch that awful werewolf you have muted."

River chuckled. "It is awful. But that's why I love it."

"You and Apollo both. Sad to see you have the same bad taste in movies he does."

She feigned insult and threw a cherry tomato at him. It hit him in the forehead, and he cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Oh really?"

She laughed and threw another one.

"So that's how it's gonna be, huh?"

She laughed again, realizing how good it felt. Even her wolf chuffed and bounced around. She hadn't laughed in weeks, and though the sound seemed foreign, it lightened her more than she could say.

"I have an idea," he said. "How about I give you a foot rub while you finish your food and ridiculous movie?"

A shiver ran over her at the prospect of him rubbing her feet.

"I'd have to be an idiot to pass up that offer."

Ares reached in and nibbled one of her toes through the blanket. "Give me a minute to grab some massage oil."

"Okay, but nothing perfumy. My sense of smell is in overdrive."

"Of course." He hopped off the bed and walked out of the room.

River took another bite of her meat and chased it with a piece of the baked potato. She smiled to herself. Damn, she'd missed real food while being kept prisoner. And even more, Strider's cooking. It'd been so long since she'd tasted his food, she'd forgotten how amazing he was at cooking.

The door clicked open, and Ares returned with a small bottle. His golden eyes gleamed as he approached the bed.

"Found something that shouldn't bother your nose," he said, holding up the bottle of unscented almond oil.

River wiggled her toes in anticipation as he settled at the foot of the bed. He moved the tray to give himself room, then took her right foot in his large hands.

"Keep eating," he encouraged, warming the oil between his palms before beginning to work his thumbs into her arch.

River moaned and took another bite of her meal. The combination of delicious food and Ares' skilled hands was heavenly. He applied just the proper pressure, finding knots she hadn't even realized were there.

"Oh goddess," she groaned as he worked his way to her heel. "That feels amazing."

Ares smiled, his eyes never leaving her face as he switched to her other foot. "I've missed taking care of you."

As she finished her meal, his hands moved higher, massaging her ankles and then her calves with gentle but firm pressure. The movie played in the background as River surrendered to his touch.

"May I?" he asked, fingers hovering at the waistband of her loose pajama pants.

River nodded, suddenly breathless. With infinite care, Ares eased the fabric down her legs, his eyes darkening as they fell on the healing wound on her thigh. The angry line had faded to pink, new skin forming where the razor wire had gouged into her.

Ares traced the scar with gentle fingers. "Does it still hurt?"

"Not unless the nerves flare. Just pulls a bit."

He leaned down and his lips caressed the healing line, feathering her with kisses and sending shivers through her entire body.

His kisses trailed upward, across her thigh, over the curve of her hip.

He paused at the wound on her side, examining it with careful eyes before covering it too with tender kisses.

River's breath quickened as his mouth moved higher, tracing the path his hands had blazed. His lips found the sensitive spot beneath her ribs that always made her gasp.

Without hesitation, she pulled her shirt over her head, followed by her bra. Ares' eyes darkened at the sight of her, his gaze reverent as it traveled over her body.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered, voice rough with emotion.

He reached over and moved the tray to the nightstand, then stood and stripped off his pajama pants in one fluid motion. The sight of him, powerful and gloriously naked, stole her ability to speak. He was magnificent, every inch of him perfection, and he was hers.

When he returned to her, his kiss started gentle but insistent, a claiming which spoke of love rather than possession. She opened to him willingly, reveling in the familiar taste of him, the scent that was uniquely Ares.

He entered her gently, and she mewled into his mouth.

Too long. It had been much too long since they'd made love.

Their bodies moved together with practiced ease, finding the perfect rhythm that belonged only to them.

Every deliberate caress imbued with meaning.

It wasn't just passion, it was reconnection, healing, an affirmation of love after despair.

"I love you," Ares murmured against her skin as they moved as one. "I was so scared, River. So terrified I'd lost you forever."

She cradled his face between her palms. "You'll never lose me. Never."

His movements quickened, intensity building between them. "If anything happened to you... to our children... I couldn't bear it. I would die of a broken heart."

"Shhhhh," she soothed, kissing away the fear in his eyes. "I'm here. We all are."

She held him as pleasure crested between them, waves of sensation washing away the last vestiges of fear and separation. He cried out her name as he climaxed, his head falling to her neck and kissing her skin. She grabbed onto him as her climax crested, murmuring his name and pulling him close.

Afterward, they lay tangled together and still attached, his heartbeat strong beneath her ear. She traced her fingers over one of the new scars from where he’d been shot.

“Does it bother you?”

She kissed it. “No. I think it’s sexy. I just hate who gave it to you.”

He hugged her. “As long as you like it, I couldn’t care less where I got it.”

"I love you, Ares Wolvenguard." She pressed a kiss to his heart. "And I will always come back to you."

His arms tightened around her, and the tension that had plagued them for the last weeks dissipated.

As sleep claimed them, hope rooted in her heart for the first time since her ordeal began. The nightmares might return, but she would face them with the strength of her mates beside her.

Tomorrow would bring new challenges: the rogues, the trial, rebuilding their world. But tonight, in Ares' arms, everything was exactly as it should be.