Page 38 of Alpha Marked

Cherry's shoulders slumped. "If you so much as harm one hair on my daughter-"

"River is my Beloved. My Omega. I would never harm her."

River peeked up at him, her eyes glittering with interest.

Cherry looked as if she had more to say. Instead, she regarded the gallery where River's sculptures stood, and the remaining humans gawked.

"Are those yours?" Cherry asked after a minute.

River nodded.

"Show me."

River met her mother's eyes, and Ares saw her smile for the first time since he'd met her. The sight struck him right in the heart, and he was done. The moment her smile aimed his direction, he would be no more than putty in her hands.

Cherry and Biancawalked through the gallery, with River pointing out every piece and explaining how she had altered it. Her mom smiled softly and marveled at River's talent.

"I don't understand," he said to Zeke. "Hasn't she seen River's work before?"

"Bianca said River and her mom have never been close. River's dad was the artistic one. Cherry… tries, but she's not too maternal."

Ares snorted. "Could have fooled me."

"Bianca said Cherry isn't the affectionate type. She said she'd only seen Cherry hug or kiss anyone once before, including Bianca's dad, Strider. And they've been together for over fifteen years. She's an enforcer for their pack."

Ares snorted. If she weren't the mother of his mate, he would have considered making her a hybrid.

Ares folded his arms and watched the women. Cherry's strength resided inside River. She'd taught River to be tough. To protect herself. And he was damn glad she had. Otherwise, River may have ended up with that rogue.

"So, Cherry and Strider aren't mated?"

Zeke shook his head. "They'd both been mated to their fated mates before and lost them. Cherry said she won't go through it again."

Ares had a hard time believing anyone could break Cherry. But a fated mate connection went soul-deep. Hell, though he and River hadn't fully bonded yet, he would never recover if anything happened to her.

After thirty minutes,Andrea approached Ares.

"Uh, Your Highness? I'm getting ready to lock up for the weekend. Did you want to sign the contract for the pieces now or…"

"I'll sign now."

Relief spread across Andrea's face. "Of course. And you and River, did you agree on a price or…"

"I'll pay full price for all of them. Plus, whatever it costs to ship them to my home."

Zeke reached into his pocket, pulled out a matte black business card, and handed it to Andrea.

Andrea smiled. "Of course. Thank you. Give me a moment, and I'll have all the paperwork ready."

Ares nodded but kept his eyes on River. Her hair had tussled out of the clip holding it, and she'd removed her heels. She'd even removed the red lipstick. He took her in, so beautiful and happy. He remembered his mother looking the same after a formal gathering at the estate. Worn out but proud of how all her hard work had paid off.

He swallowed hard. It's been a long time since he'd thought of his mother and all she had gone through after his father's death. The memories made his skin prickle with anger.

"Did you know River had been claimed against her will previously?" he asked.

Zeke growled. "No. I didn't."

"A rogue Lycan."

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