Page 48 of Alpha Marked

Horror crossed Bianca's features. "You wouldn't dare. They're designer."

"Take anything you want."

River and Biancaspent the morning chatting and trying things on. Surprisingly, River liked more than half the things Ares had picked for her. Eating a burger and fries, she wondered how and where Ares had gotten all those things late at night. Did he have Victoria's Secret on speed dial or something? The thought made her wolf growl. River didn't want to think of Ares having a lingerie store on speed dial so he could buy his latest conquest whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. The thought of him with another female made River's wolf rise to her feet for the first time in hours and let out a warning growl so possessive it scared River.

Mine. My mate. My Alpha.

River rubbed her chest at the sudden surge of anger that flooded her.Yeah, yeah. I get it.

Her wolf glared at her as if telling her to hurry up already. But River wasn't sure she wanted to hurry up. She had a life in New York. A job. A job she loved. And though Ares had swooped in and bought all of her sculptures, others had wanted to buy her art. Rich people. Important people. And she was leaving all of it behind, why? For a man? Okay, not just a man. A super-hot melt-your-panties-off-with-a-glance man. His eyes floated into her mind and the way he'd touched her. She craved his touch again like she'd never craved anything. The feel of his giant hands sliding up her thigh, under her dress, and down-

"We should go out," Bianca announced, pulling River from her thoughts.

"Uh… not today, B. I'm exhausted."

Bianca smiled and bounded over to the bed, bouncing on it. "Movie marathon!"

River smiled. "Yes."

Bianca plopped down beside her and laid back on the pillows. "Rom coms. Or holiday romances. Something fun and light."

River nodded. Romances weren't her thing when it came to movies. She wasn't in the mood to see people fall in love, but she didn't want to ruin Bianca's day. Bianca remained on cloud ten with her impending mating to Zeke, and River didn't want to ruin it for her because of her own messed up situation.

"Holidays," she said, and Bianca smiled and reached for the remote.

Bianca clicked on the enormous flat screen and called for Zeke. As if standing right outside the door waiting for her to beckon, the door opened, and he walked in, giving River a slight bow before turning his sparkling eyes on Bianca. The adoration shining through his eyes made River's heart clench. Ares had looked at her the same way the night they'd met in the club.

She didn't want to think about Ares. But how the heck did she not when his delicious scent lingered in the room, and she wore the clothing he'd bought her and ate the food he provided?

"Zeke, we need movie stuff."

His eyebrows scrunched. "Movie stuff?"

"You know," said Bianca. "Popcorn, candy, soda. Movie stuff."

He smiled. "Of course, my love."

Bianca blushed and chewed her bottom lip. The air between them heated.

Her wolf grumbled.Ares. Mine.

River rolled her eyes.

By the timethey'd seen four movies, River needed a break. The clock read seven p.m. Ares should be back soon. Shouldn't he? She stood from the lush bed and cleaned up the wrappers from all the candy they'd eaten and half a dozen soda cans. She didn't want him to think she was a total slob.

She stopped, realizing she cared what he thought of her. She'd never cared what people thought of her before.

"What do you want to do now?" River asked.

"You mean you're done?" Bianca's mouth pulled into a frown.

River couldn't remember the last time she'd relaxed and binged movies. A year? More? All she'd done was work since moving to New York and starting school. The knowledge she had no commitments to anything both scared and intrigued her. Her high school summers were the last time she'd had no commitments.

River smiled. "I wondered if you wanted to do something else."

"Like what?"

River shrugged. "I need to leave this room. I need air."

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