Page 43 of Alpha Claimed

Apollo wanted to argue, but all the fight had left him for the evening.

Regan and Thomas entered.

"Anything?"

They shook their heads. "We'll ask around town tomorrow."

Apollo nodded. "Stay out here and keep watch. If you have any problems, find Silas."

Apollo walked to the bedroom and opened the door quietly. He peered into the darkness and could make out River's small form curled under the covers. He sniffed the air and caught the scent of her already healing wound.

He backed out but stopped when she called his name.

"Apollo?"

"I didn't mean to wake you."

"Would you mind getting me some water?"

"Of course not."

He rushed into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle from the fridge.

He walked to the bed and sat on it before opening the bottle and holding it to her lips. She took several long drinks and then sucked in a large breath.

"How are you feeling?"

"I've been better. But I've also been worse."

He set the bottle on the nightstand and lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it. "Can you ever forgive me?"

She patted his cheek. "I don't blame you."

"I would understand if you told me to take you back to Ares immediately."

She lifted his chin to look at her. "Will you stay while I sleep?"

His wolf howled at her request.

How could she want that when he'd let her get hurt and almost killed?

Apollo curled beside her, careful not to touch her.

"Where did you go with Silas?" she asked mid-yawn.

He swallowed hard. She didn't need to know the full details.

"We disposed of the bodies and covered our tracks."

"You smell more like smoke than usual," she said. "Did you burn them?"

He brushed her hair in with his fingers and kissed her forehead. "Sleep. We can talk in the morning."

She inched backward until her body made contact with his, and then she lifted his arm and wrapped it around her, linking her fingers with his.

"I like how you smell," she murmured.

CHAPTERTEN

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