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CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

ARES

T he first light of dawn was still an hour away when Ares' eyes opened. Beside him, River slept peacefully, her silver hair spread across her pillow, one hand resting on Apollo's arm and the other on Ares' hip. On her other side, Apollo's golden eyes met his in the darkness.

"Time?" Ares mouthed.

Apollo looked at his phone. "5:05."

Ares had only gotten an hour and a half of sleep. He wondered if Apollo had gotten any at all.

With practiced stealth, Ares slipped from beneath the covers, careful not to disturb River. Apollo followed suit, both of them moving with preternatural grace as they padded silently to the door and out into the hallway.

"Do you think it's time we find a room big enough for all of us?" Apollo asked.

"It would be nice not to have to go all the way down the hall every morning to dress and shower."

Apollo nodded. "We should talk to River about it. We could take the other wing and knock down a couple of walls."

Ares nodded. "Not a bad idea. River's going to want the babies close. We could turn the room at the end into a kids' bedroom and the closer one into a nursery."

"That would leave mom and dad's room, and the room next to it, to merge."

"Definitely would be big enough for the three of us."

They stopped by Apollo's door.

"But we'd still keep our current rooms for our alone time," said Ares.

Apollo snorted. "Yeah, I'd rather not see your naked ass making love to my mate."

Ares faked indignation. "I'll have you know I have a fantastic ass. You'd be privileged to see it."

Apollo smiled and shook his head. "Well, seeing is how I know what my ass looks like, I'm pretty sure I know what yours looks like, so I'm good."

Ares chuckled. "See you in ten."

Apollo nodded and headed into his room as Ares walked down the hall to his.

Ares finished tying his tie as Apollo pulled open his bedroom door in a tailored black suit, his movements mechanical, his expression distant.

The formal attire felt strangely appropriate for what they were about to witness.

This wasn't just an execution; it was the final chapter of a nightmare that had nearly destroyed everything they held dear.

"You look like you're headed to your own funeral," Ares whispered, adjusting his brother's tie.

Apollo didn't answer or meet Ares' eye as Ares finished tying the knot.

"Don't worry. I'll handle this."

Apollo's jaw tightened. "I can manage it."

"I know you can," Ares replied. "I've seen you handle it. But this one is mine." He glanced back toward the bedroom where River slept. "After what he did to her... to our children... I need this."

Apollo studied his brother's face for a long moment before nodding. "You're right. You deserve your turn at him after what he put her through. Just save some for me if he somehow survives your wrath."

They shared a grim smile, the understanding between them running deeper than words could express.

The mansion was eerily quiet as they descended the grand staircase, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. Outside, the sky remained black, stars glittering coldly overhead as they neared the waiting SUV.

Cherry and Strider stood beside the vehicle. Cherry's hair piled on top of her head, her features hardened with determination. Strider's tall frame was rigid with tension, his russet hair tousled by the pre-dawn breeze.

"You don't need to come," Ares said.

"Yes, we do," Cherry replied, her voice leaving no room for argument. "He hurt my daughter. I want to see justice done. Especially if I can't do it myself."

Strider nodded in agreement. "River's mine too. I need to witness this for her sake."

"Let's go, then."

The twins slid into the back of the SUV while Cherry and Strider mounted their motorcycles.

"You good?" asked Silas.

The twins nodded.

As Theo pulled the vehicle away from the estate, Ares peered out the window at the two bikes that fell into formation behind them, their headlights cutting through the darkness.

The drive to the old church passed in silence, each occupant lost in their thoughts. As they pulled into the underground parking garage, the first hints of dawn began to lighten the eastern sky.

Ares' wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, clawing for release. The primal need for vengeance had been building for weeks, intensifying with each passing hour. Now, with Titan's execution mere minutes away, his wolf became nearly uncontrollable.

"You okay?" Apollo asked as they stepped out of the SUV.

Ares rolled his shoulders, trying to ease the tension. "I will be. Soon."

They made their way through the silent church, footsteps echoing off ancient stone walls. The building felt colder than Ares remembered, as if the very structure sensed what was about to occur on its grounds.

Santiago met them at the rear exit, his expression grim. "Everything's ready," he reported. "The Council is waiting."

The group walked into the pre-dawn chill. Behind the church, a small gathering had assembled on a patch of grass that sloped gently toward a line of towering maple trees. The Council members stood in a solemn semicircle, their faces impassive in the dim light.

In the center of the gathering, Titan knelt on the grass, his once-imposing frame broken and battered. Silver chains bound him, the metal hissing against what little blackened skin remained. Zeke, Regan, and Thomas stood guard around him, their faces masks of detachment.

Ares wolf surged forward with such force that he nearly shifted. Only years of iron will kept the beast contained, though his fangs and claws elongated.

Osmodius' jacket billowed in the morning breeze. "Titan Longtooth. You have been found guilty of treason against the Crown, the kidnapping and forced marking of the High Luna, and the deaths of thirty-eight wolves. For these crimes, you have been sentenced to death."

Titan lifted his head, his face a patchwork of bruises and lacerations from the previous day's vengeance. One eye remained swollen shut, but the other burned with defiance.

"Before your sentence is carried out," Osmodius continued, "do you have any final words?"

Titan's gaze swept across the gathering before landing on the twins. "Where is she?" he rasped, blood bubbling at the corner of his mouth. "Where's River?"

Apollo stepped forward, his eyes cold. "She's already forgotten you. She didn't see the point in coming to witness a dead wolf die."

Fury flashed across Titan's battered face. "She will never forget me," he snarled. "Never. You can kill me, but as long as you all live, you will know that she was mine first. She will always be mine."

Cherry made a sound of disgust from where she stood beside Strider. "You can't be that delusional." She shook her head. "My daughter was never yours."

Titan spat on the ground, blood mixed with saliva darkening the grass. He glared at them but said nothing more.

Osmodius turned to the twins, his eyes solemn. "Kings Ares and Apollo Wolvenguard, it is your right to carry out this sentence as you see fit."

Ares stepped forward, his wolf howling for blood. Every instinct in his body demanded Titan's death, every fiber craved the satisfaction of tearing out the throat of the wolf who had dared touch his mate. His River. His Beloved.

Without a word, Ares removed his clothing. First his jacket, then his tie, each item handed to Apollo with deliberate calm that belied the storm raging within him. As the cool morning air touched his bare skin, Ares closed his eyes, surrendering to the shift.

Bones cracked and reformed, and fur erupted across his skin. Where he stood as a man moments before, his massive black wolf now towered, blazing with primal fury.

Ares padded forward, circling Titan with predatory grace. His lips pulled back in a silent snarl, exposing gleaming fangs as he assessed his prey.

Tear. Bite. Kill.

Titan watched him, a twisted smile forming on his bloodied lips. "Do it," he taunted. "Show everyone what a monster you are. The savage twin. The one they've always feared."

Ares continued his slow circle, ignoring the provocation. His wolf wanted to savor this moment, to make Titan feel the same fear River felt when she was at his mercy.

"What are you waiting for?" Titan goaded, his voice rising. "Too weak to finish what you started? Just like your pathetic father."

Kill.

Not yet.

Ares didn't allow his wolf to strike. His eyes remained fixed on Titan, watching, waiting.

"You know," Titan continued, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper, "I can still taste her.

When River kissed me at your ceremony instead of you.

And when she kissed me at our home." He purred and closed his eyes, a smile playing on his lips.

"When I bit her that first day... the sweetness of her blood on my tongue.

The way she trembled when I touched her-"

The taunt died on his lips as Ares couldn't hold back his wolf a moment longer.

He lunged forward with blinding speed. Massive jaws clamped around Titan's throat, fangs sinking deep into flesh and sinew.

Titan's scream transformed into a wet gurgle as Ares tore through his windpipe with a savage wrench of his powerful head.

No touch River.

Blood sprayed across the grass in a crimson arc. His wolf held a chunk of flesh and tissue in his jaws for a moment, eyes locked on Titan's dying gaze, before dropping it contemptuously on Titan's face.

Titan's body convulsed, blood pumping from the gaping wound in rhythmic spurts that slowed with each passing second. His remaining eye widened in shock, then glazed over as death claimed him. With a final, shuddering breath, Titan Longtooth slumped forward, his blood soaking the earth beneath him.

Silence fell over the gathering, broken only by the heavy breathing of the massive wolf standing over his kill.

Dead. Finally.

Yes. Finally .

Ares remained motionless for several heartbeats, his eyes fixed on Titan's lifeless form, ensuring that the threat to his mate was eliminated.