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Finally, he retreated, his muzzle and torso stained crimson. His wolf sought his brother, something almost like peace settling over him now that the bastard was dead.

Apollo joined his brother, Ares' clothes draped over his arm, his expression a mixture of satisfaction and solemn acceptance. "It's done, brother." Apollo's hand fell on Ares' shoulder.

Ares' wolf howled in triumph.

Ares shifted back to human. He waited for a pang of guilt. A moment of remorse for what he'd done. But as he stood naked in the growing light of dawn, blood smeared across his body, a weight lifted from his shoulders.

Ares accepted the clothing Apollo offered. "It's finally done."

Cherry's eyes fixed on Titan's body. "Good riddance," she said. "Rot in hell, asshole."

Strider nodded, placing a supportive hand on Ares' shoulder. "River can heal now."

Osmodius approached, his face grave. "The sentence has been carried out according to our laws. May the goddess grant peace to those who suffered at his hands."

As Ares dressed, the Council members moved forward to prepare Titan's body for cremation. No monument would mark his passing, and no ceremony would honor his memory. By sundown, nothing would remain of Titan Longtooth but ashes.

There was only one last thing to do. "Theo, hire a crew, raze Titan's estate. I want nothing more than dirt on that lot in less than a week."

"Of course," Theo responded.

"Do you have a preference where his ashes go?" asked Osmodius.

Ares paused.

"Down the toilet," Apollo growled.

"No," said Ares. "Hold on to them. River should decide."

Apollo nodded. "Let's go home. River will be waking soon."

Ares agreed. "But let's give it some time before we tell her about the ashes."

Osmodius bowed. "Fair enough."

Ares fastened the last button on his shirt. Despite the stink of blood that still stained his skin, he felt better than he had in weeks. The rage that had consumed him since River's kidnapping had finally been spent, leaving behind a strange sense of calm.

As they walked back toward the parking garage, the first true rays of sunlight crested the horizon, bathing the world in golden light. A new day dawned. The first of many in a world free from Titan's shadow.

Cherry fell into step beside Ares, her eyes studying his face. "You good?"

Ares considered the question before answering. "I will be. We all will be."

"River's going to need you both more than ever now," she said quietly. "The nightmares won't stop just because he's dead."

"We'll be there for her," Apollo assured her. "Every step of the way."

* * *

RIVER

River's eyes flew open at six-o-six a.m. Her wolf howled as the red ribbon burned into her leg.

River breathed in deep, trying to orient herself, and then as soon as it started, the burning stopped, and the ribbon faded away.

River took several deep breaths as all sensation returned to normal, as if the red ribbon connecting her to Titan had never existed.

River and her wolf both sighed in relief.

A sigh so large that it had been as if she'd been holding it in for over four and a half years.

A strange sensation raced through her, and it took her a minute to realize what it was: freedom.

She was finally free. Which could only mean one thing- Titan was dead.

A sob escaped her, and then another before a laugh.

Her emotions mixed together, and she couldn't process them.

She was free from Titan. Free and bound only to Ares and Apollo.

She didn't have to worry that he was coming for her.

Didn't have to worry about him taking her babies.

Didn't have to look over her shoulder every time she left the estate.

Wouldn't jump in the night when something creaked or groaned.

Wouldn't ever have to worry about falling asleep in her home and waking up in the makeshift prison again.

Most of all, she didn't have to worry about losing Ares or Apollo to Titan Longtooth ever again.

The door to River's bedroom swung open, and Ares and Apollo entered, their faces somber, their suits immaculate except for the dark stains on Ares' white shirt, throat, and chin partially concealed by his jacket.

"River," Apollo said, concern crossing his face. "You're awake."

She nodded, muting the television. "Are you both okay?"

They approached the bed, one on each side, sitting beside her.

"We should be asking you that." Ares reached for her hand.

River met his gaze. "He's dead. I felt it happen. The red ribbon that's been binding my wolf to his since he bit me burned away. I woke up the moment it happened."

"Yes," Apollo confirmed softly. "It's done."

River's composure broke in a surge of relief so powerful it overwhelmed her.

Even though the bond was gone and it had burned away, hearing them say the words made it real.

She threw her arms around both of them, pulling them close.

The scent of blood and death clung to Ares, but she didn't flinch. It was over.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you both for keeping us safe, for ending this nightmare."

Ares' strong arms enveloped her, his lips pressing against her hair. "Always, beloved."

"But let's be real," said Apollo. "You kept yourself safe. Yes, we would have found you, but we didn't have to because you saved you."

River nodded. She didn't want to give herself any credit for escaping. If she were to credit anyone, it was her wolf. Her wolf had saved them.

Thank you.

Her wolf chuffed. Thank you.

For the first time, something passed between River and her wolf. A connection that hadn't been there before. A feeling of oneness. Of being whole.

"Are you both really okay?" She pulled back to search their faces.

"We're fine," Apollo assured her, though his eyes held shadows of what they'd all been through.

River's gaze lingered on the bloodstains on Ares' shirt. She didn't ask about them and didn't need to know the details. All that mattered was that Titan was gone, and her mates had returned to her.

Ares pulled his shirt from his skin. "I should shower," he said, his voice rough.

"I'll go with you." River slid from the bed, not prepared to let either of them out of her sight, especially not Ares.

Apollo smiled, understanding in his eyes. "I'll go get breakfast for all of us. Any requests?"

"Surprise us," River said, already taking Ares' hand and guiding him toward the bathroom.

Apollo caught her other hand, pulling her back for a moment to press a kiss to her lips. "I love you," he murmured against her mouth.

"I love you, too," she whispered back before he released her.

As Apollo left, River led Ares into the spacious bathroom. Steam billowed around them as she turned on the shower, adjusting the temperature before facing him. Without a word, she undressed him.

* * *

ARES

River worked at his buttons with care, peeling back the blood-stained fabric to reveal his sculpted abs.

Her touch was gentle yet determined as she tugged the jacket from his broad shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.

Next came his shirt, each button surrendering to her nimble fingers until she could push it away from his skin.

Ares stood motionless, watching her through hooded eyes as she knelt to remove his shoes and socks, then reached for his belt.

The leather slid free with a soft hiss, followed by the metallic click of his zipper.

She tugged his pants and underwear down in one fluid motion, helping him step free of them.

Standing before her, completely naked, vulnerable in a way only she could make him feel, River quickly slipped her nightgown down her body, where it pooled at her feet, before she kicked it aside.

Taking his hand, she guided him into the shower, the warm water cascading over them both. Steam enveloped them in a private cocoon as River reached for the soap, working it between her palms until it lathered.

Her hands moved across his skin with deliberate strokes, washing away the remnants of death and vengeance. Ares closed his eyes, surrendering to her touch as she cleansed not just his body but his spirit. Her fingers traced each muscle, each curve, removing all traces of Titan's blood.

Our River. Our mate.

Ares lowered his head, lips finding the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder. He kissed a path up to her ear, inhaling her scent as his hands roamed her body. His palms curved around her waist, fingers splaying across her back as he pulled her closer.

"Let me take care of you," River whispered, her hands continuing their cleansing journey down his torso.

The last pink-tinged rivulets swirled down the drain as her soapy hands moved lower, fingers wrapping around him with gentle pressure. Ares groaned against her neck, his body responding instantly.

"River," he breathed, his voice thick with need.

Her eyes met his, golden irises darkened with desire. Without warning, Ares captured her mouth in a fierce kiss, his tongue sweeping past her lips as he backed her against the tile wall. The contrast of temperatures, hot water, cool tile, and burning skin heightened every sensation.

Lifting her effortlessly, Ares pinned her between his body and the wall, her legs wrapping around his waist.

His wolf growled.

He needed her. They both needed her. Needed to feel her, claim her. Wash away Titan's last words from his mind.

Their bodies joined in one powerful thrust, drawing a gasp from River that he swallowed with another hungry kiss.

There was nothing gentle in their need for each other.

It was primal, urgent, a life-affirming celebration after facing death.

River's arms tightened around his neck as he drove into her again and again, the water beating against his back in a steady rhythm.

The world narrowed to just the two of them, to the perfect friction of skin against skin, to the heat building between them.

"Mine," Ares growled against her mouth, the word torn from somewhere deep within him. "My mate."

The image of Titan's final moments flashed through his mind.

The feel of flesh yielding beneath his fangs, the hot gush of blood, the light fading from his eyes.

He had done that for her, had torn out the throat of the wolf who dared threaten what was his.

Who had dared to touch her, to mark her, to claim what could never belong to him.

River's body tightened around him, her back arching as pleasure overtook her. "Ares," she cried, her voice echoing off the tiles. "Oh goddess, Ares!"

The sound of his name on her lips pushed him over the edge. His release crashed through him with staggering force, his body shuddering against hers as he buried his face in her neck, breathing in her scent. His mate, the mother of his children, his everything.

They remained joined, water cascading over them as their breathing gradually slowed. Ares lifted his head to capture her lips in a tender kiss, so different from the desperate hunger of moments before. River's fingers traced across his shoulders and up into his hair.

"I love you," she whispered against his mouth.

"I love you more than life itself," he answered, the words inadequate to express the depth of his feelings.

Eventually, Ares shut off the water and carried River from the shower, her legs still wrapped around his waist. He set her on the counter and reached for a plush towel, drying her.

He worked methodically, patting her skin dry with care. When he reached her belly, rounded with their growing children, he sank to his knees before her and pressed his lips to the taut skin.

"Hello, little ones," he murmured, his voice a deep rumble. "Your father loves you so much already."

River's fingers threaded through his damp hair.

"They're safe now," she said. "We all are. Because of you."

"Yes," he agreed, pressing another kiss to her belly. "They are safe because of all of us. You, Apollo, and I. No one will ever threaten our family again."

He continued drying her, moving down to her legs and then up her torso to her neck.

When he reached the spot where Titan's bite had left its mark, now healed to a faint scar, he paused.

Without hesitation, he lowered his head and licked the scar.

Never again would anyone touch what belonged to him and his brother.

Never again would anyone hurt his family.

Ever.