Page 39 of Alpha Marked

"What? Who?"

Ares clenched and unclenched his fists. "No idea. But I intend on finding out."

"You give the word, and I'm on it."

River laughed, and Ares' chest squeezed. She brushed her hair over her shoulder, and he practically saw the scar on her throat from across the room. The thought of another male biting her made him want to explode, and he had to take a cleansing breath to clear his head. He would remove the scar with his own mark and spend the rest of their lives making up for it.

"We should go," said Zeke.

Ares nodded, not taking his eyes off River. "Give them another minute."

The way her hair cascaded down her back to the dip in her spine. The way her thin fingers traced the lines of one of the wolves she'd created. Every inch of her perfect. And every inch of her was his- if she'd let him have her.

Ares,Zeke, and River rode to The Plaza Hotel in silence. She sat next to him in the limo but gazed out the window so not even the fabric of her dress touched him. When he shifted his position to be nearer to her, she moved away and laid her head on the window.

Ares sighed.

When they reached the hotel, Zeke got out first, inspected the street, and then stepped to the side for Ares to get out. He instinctively sniffed for trouble before offering his hand to River. She took it and he helped her from the car. Unwilling to let her escape from him, he laced his fingers with hers and led her into the lobby of his hotel. As they entered, she gasped, taking the whole thing in.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked as her eyes darted around the structure.

"Exquisite," she whispered.

"I'm glad you like it. It'll be yours as soon as we're mated."

She looked at him but didn't say anything.

He smiled and placed his hand on her lower back as he escorted her through the lobby to the private elevator reserved for guests almost of his status. He was, after all, the owner.

The doors opened, and Vanessa went to step out but spotted Ares and stopped. She glanced at where Ares and River joined hands.

Zeke stuck his arm out so the elevator door didn't close again.

In the mirrored elevator walls, Ares caught River's expression of distaste at seeing Vanessa.

Vanessa retreated, and Ares led River into the elevator. Zeke stuck a keycard in the penthouse slot.

They rode up in silence for a moment before Ares spoke.

"River, this is my assistant, Vanessa. I don't think you two have been properly introduced. Vanessa, this is my beloved. Her Highness Princess River. You will be at her disposal until we're home."

Vanessa opened her mouth but shut it again.

River refused to make eye contact with her.

"As you wish, Your Highness," Vanessa finally said.

The tension that rose with the elevator told Ares he'd been right. He needed to let Vanessa go as soon as they returned home.

The doors opened to the royal suite. Zeke exited first, and Ares followed with River. The sound of voices met his ears as they entered the foyer. Zeke opened the door, and it opened up to the dining room in front. A corridor to the left ran the length of the suite back to the master bedroom.

"Are you serious?" River asked, looking around.

His men at the dining table stood and bowed to her and Ares.

"River, I would like to introduce you to my bodyguards and most loyal friends."

The men lined up, and Ares introduced them. "This is Theo. He is my oldest friend."

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