Page 112 of Alpha Claimed

She fought to keep control as wolves shifted and clothes shredded. The sounds of fighting pulled her attention.

She looked to Strider. "Get her out of here. Get them all out. Get to a doctor."

River's old Alpha raced over and laid his hand on Strider's shoulder. "We have to go before we all die."

Zeke lifted Bianca into his arms. "I know a way out."

River looked at him and nodded. "Save her. Please. Save them all."

"I promise."

Strider lifted Cherry off the floor, and her old Alpha grabbed his mate. They raced through the onslaught.

Titan grabbed River by the arm and pulled her away. "Enough. Decide."

She looked over to see Apollo on the ground, eyes closed.

No.Her wolf howled in pain.

Ares and Theo fought through the rogues on the platform, but there were too many.

Tears poured from River's eyes. She couldn't lose them. She couldn't lose Apollo and Ares. She couldn't. She wouldn't be able to live if she lost them. And what about their child? She had to save their child.

"I'll go." She turned on him and steeled her gaze. "But you have to promise me. Promise that you won't hurt them if I leave with you. You won't shoot anyone else."

Titan's expression changed as she left her Omega stare on him. For a moment, he seemed conflicted, but then he smirked.

"Ask me nicely and seal it with a kiss."

He couldn't be serious.

"Show my brothers and everyone else here that you choose me, or I'll kill everyone in this building and burn it to the ground."

Tears leaked from River's eyes as she looked over at Ares on the ground with three rogues pinning him down and a fourth slashing at him.

Neither he nor Apollo would last long without having the bullets removed, and the poison counteracted.

She had to save them. She was the Queen of the Lycans. She had to do whatever it took to save her family and her people.

"Please," River begged. "Please don't hurt them, Titan."

She looked at Titan full-on. His face hadn't changed from the last time she'd seen him except for a long pair of cuts down his left cheek.

Titan turned his head slightly. "Do you like them, Lover? You gave them to me, remember? Not how I would have preferred you to mark me, but I've learned a lot about you these last four years, River. And one thing I've learned is that you sure leave an impression on everyone you meet."

River couldn't speak. Was it possible? Surely, a couple of scratches didn't constitute her marking him. But she'd rejected him, hadn't she?

"Confused? I was, too, at first. But then I realized I never rejected you. So you are still my mate. I took you before my little brothers even knew you existed. You belong to me."

Was what Titan said the truth?

Something deep inside told her it was. Otherwise, why would her wolf be cowering instead of fighting?

Ares roared as his chest flayed open.

River let out a whine before smashing her lips into Titan's.

River's wolf howled and thrashed, trying to break free of the red ribbon that reappeared and snaked around her ankle once more.

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