Page 54

CHAPTER FORTY

ARES

M orning light filtered through the curtains when Ares opened his eyes.

River still rested against him, his arm draped over her waist, her breath warm against his skin.

For several minutes, he lay there, savoring the moment of perfect bliss.

After weeks of terror, thinking it may never happen again, having these moments meant so much more than they ever had.

River stirred, her eyes opening to him watching her. A smile spread across her face, transforming her beautiful features.

"How long have you been awake?" she asked, voice husky with sleep.

He kissed her head. "Just long enough to memorize this moment." Ares brushed a strand of silver hair from her face.

River's smile deepened as she stretched against him. "What moment is that?"

"The one where you're in my arms, and nothing can harm you." His voice dropped. "Where you're mine."

She traced the strong line of his jaw with her fingertips. "I've always been yours."

Their lips met in a kiss that started tender but quickly blazed into something more urgent.

Ares rolled her onto her back, his body covering hers with protective heat as his mouth explored hers with increasing hunger.

River's hands slid up his arms, across his shoulders, tangling in his dark hair to pull him closer.

"Ares," she breathed against his lips, her body arching to meet his.

He moved with deliberate tenderness, mindful of her still-healing wounds as he worshipped every inch of her. His hands traced the curves of her body with reverent appreciation and lingered where their children grew.

River's breathing quickened as he settled between her thighs. "Ares, I need you."

"And I, you." He kissed her and slid inside her at the same time. He fought to hold back his wolf's overwhelming need to take her fast and hard. He joined their bodies slowly, already close to the edge.

She moaned as her fingers dug into his shoulders, heightening his need.

He wanted her, all of her, every inch. As her soft folds cradled and massaged him, he couldn't help the emotions running through him.

He couldn't process them all. Need. Love.

Protection. Hope. Guilt. All of them hit him in rapid succession.

He pushed them all away to focus on that moment and being with his mate.

They moved together in harmony. River's soft gasps and moans filled the room, her hands clutching at him as they climbed closer toward the edge.

Ares broke the kiss to watch her face as passion overtook her, memorizing every expression, every sound, every shiver of his Beloved.

His mate. His mate. His River. She was his and always would be. He would never let her go again.

Ares roared her name as he climaxed. She touched his cheek and ran her hand down to his hips, pulling him deeper into her and rocking him through his climax until he was completely spent.

When they collapsed, breathless and sated, Ares gathered her against him, kissing her face.

"I love you," he murmured. "More than I ever thought possible." It was the truth. He never thought he would love someone the way he loved River. Needed River. Craved River. The thought terrified and elated him.

River smiled, her fingers tracing across his skin.

Ares slid down her body until his head rested against her stomach. He focused on the tiny lives growing within her.

"They're so strong. Their heartbeats are like little drums. Steady and determined, like their mother."

River's fingers raked through his hair. "What else do you hear?"

"Life. Beautiful, perfect life." He looked up at her. "I can't wait to meet them, to teach them everything. To watch them grow."

"What will you teach them first?"

"How to track. And swim. And shift." His expression softened. "But most importantly, how to love and protect what matters most."

"You'll be an amazing father."

"We'll take them everywhere," Ares continued. "Show them the world, teach them about their heritage, their responsibilities."

River laughed. "We should definitely take them to the giant Ferris wheel thing when they're small."

"The Ferris wheel?" Ares cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, you mean the La Grande Roué."

"We should get them used to it early, so they're never afraid of heights."

Ares smiled and kissed her belly. "Are you sure? As I remember, you didn't love it too much."

"I may need to hold your hand the entire time. But I'll keep trying."

"I'm going to hold you to that," he said, crawling back up to capture her lips in a tender kiss.

"And we need to take them to see the cathedral."

"Absolutely," Ares murmured. "And the opera."

River nodded. "Though maybe something other than Carmen."

Ares snorted. "Fair enough."

* * *

APOLLO

The crisp morning breeze blew over Apollo's face as he stood in front of the stone fireplace in the main cabin, his eyes fixed on the photographs that lined the mantle.

His fingers traced a wooden frame containing an image of his father- regal, powerful, imposing.

The man who had shaped the Lycan world for decades, whose legacy now rested on Apollo's shoulders.

"Would you have done it?" Apollo whispered to the photograph. "Would you have crossed that line? Let your emotions overtake your judgment?"

His reflection stared back at him from the glass, golden eyes troubled by memories of his rage.

The way his control had shattered when he'd confronted Titan.

The primal, savage need to destroy the man who had dared take River.

He'd come so close- terrifyingly close- to becoming something he'd always feared lurked beneath the civilized exterior he put on.

A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts.

"Your Majesty?" Silas entered, iPad in hand. "I've finished the inventory of the other cabins."

Apollo turned from the mantle. "And?"

"Most are in good condition, but there are repairs needed." Silas handed over a detailed list. "Plumbing issues in cabins three and seven. Roof damage on five. Almost all of them need electrical work."

Apollo scanned the document, grateful for the distraction. "Have these addressed today. The rogues will need proper shelter when they arrive."

"Of course." Silas hesitated. "This is a generous thing you're doing."

Apollo's jaw tightened. "It wasn't my idea."

"Nevertheless, you agreed to it."

Apollo handed back the list. "Get workers out here today. I want the repairs started before I return to the estate."

"I'll make the calls." Silas turned toward the door. He paused. "Do you hear that?"

Apollo listened, picking up the distant rumble of engines. Motorcycles, three of them, approached the cabin. His brow furrowed as he moved to the window, scanning the tree-lined dirt road.

His heart leapt at the sight of silver hair streaming behind one of the riders. River, her slender form wrapped in a leather jacket and jeans, navigated the winding path with natural grace. Behind her, Cherry and Strider followed on their bikes.

"What in the goddess's name..." Apollo muttered, already striding toward the door.

His wolf jumped to his feet and yipped, tail wagging.

He walked onto the porch as the motorcycles pulled up, engines cutting off in sequence. River removed her helmet, her silver hair tumbling free as she smiled up at him.

"Surprise," she called, dismounting with ease.

Apollo descended the steps, torn between joy at seeing her and concern at her riding a motorcycle alone. "What are you doing here? Are you supposed to be riding a motorcycle? Why are there only three of you? Where are your bodyguards?"

River rose on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Calm down. I missed you," she said. "And I brought lunch." She gestured to the saddlebags on her motorcycle. "And our favorite fudge. Plus, Mom and Strider wanted to see the place."

Apollo wrapped his arms around her, inhaling her scent with relief and pleasure before pulling back to look at her sternly. "Where are your bodyguards?"

River rolled her eyes. "I brought my mom and my dad. I'm fine."

Cherry approached, removing her riding gloves. "Don't worry, Apollo. We didn't let her out of our sight the entire ride."

Strider nodded in agreement, his massive frame dwarfing the motorcycle he'd been riding. "No one followed us. I made sure of it."

"Besides," said River. "I don't have any bodyguards of my own."

Apollo growled. How had they not assigned anyone to her as personal guards? "Well, I will be remedying that. And telling Ares just what I think of him letting you come up here."

She snorted. "First, 'let me come'? You think Ares has to 'let me come'? I can't decide for myself? And second of all, I think maybe I'll remedy not having guards. After all, they will be mine. I should get to choose them."

His gaze dropped to her belly. "You shouldn't be riding. You could have been hurt. Or the babies."

"They are fine. I am fine. Everything is-"

"Fine?" Cherry smirked.

River looked at her mom and rolled her eyes. "Ha-ha."

Apollo sighed. "You should have called."

"No signal," River countered with a mischievous grin. "Besides, I wanted to surprise you."

He wanted to continue protesting, but didn't because he was overjoyed to see her.

His wolf chuffed and hopped around like a pup.

Cherry surveyed the surrounding forest. "Beautiful country. Strider and I thought we might go for a run while you two catch up."

"There's a lookout point about five miles north," Apollo offered. "The view of the valley is impressive."

Cherry nodded. "Perfect. We'll be back by evening." She glanced at Strider, who was already removing his jacket. "Ready?"

Moments later, two wolves- one honey-colored, one deep russet- loped into the trees, disappearing among the shadows.

Silas cleared his throat. "I should head into town to start calling contractors. I'll be back tomorrow with the first crew."

As Silas departed in the SUV, Apollo turned to River, taking the food bags from her. "Let's go inside. The temperature's dropping."