Page 108 of The Alpha’s Heir

The god’s smile was cruel. “Ah, the loyalty of a wolf. How refreshing. So tell me, alpha, what plans do the wolves have of war with the humans?”

Ares. It was Ares, the god of war.

And I was ashamed to admit I only guessed that because I’d read a spicy romance between Ares and Aphrodite.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said. “Why are you here, Ares?”

There was a split second of acknowledgement in his darkened gaze that let me know I’d hit the mark.

“Maybe mortals aren’t so stupid after all.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing one ankle over his knee. “Though I’d have thought it was obvious.”

Ares motioned to the frozen council. “Since they too are cowards unwilling to kick things off, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

The icy tendril of fear snaked its way through me when I understood what he was saying.

The beginning of the end. Another all-out war between the humans and shifters, this time with the gods’ help. We couldn’t do it. Not after what Kera and our family had already gone through. Not after the peace we’d carved out between us.

I wouldn’t be pitted against my mate.

It was in Ares’s knowing look that I realized that was exactly what he planned.

“You know, you could’ve stopped this all from happening if you weren’t so soft,” he said. “If you’d only controlled your beast.”

He’s goading us, I told her.

It’s working, she growled.

I’m sure he expected me to crumple and cry under the weight of his insults, but he didn’t know I came from a long line of crazy women who didn’t know how to back down.

“Maybe I didn’t want to save the world.” I stared straight at him.

Ares blinked. “Come again?”

Whatever hold he had on me loosened just a fraction, but it was enough for my wolf to lunge.

Like an idiot.

What are you doing?

I kneel for no master.

Ares’s laugh bellowed throughout the room as he caught my wolf by the furry throat.

“Keep fighting, little alpha.” The bastard of a god cuddled my beast close, scratching the top of her head as she snapped at him, and I realized we’d somehow fallen right into Ares’s trap. “Those strong feelings will be just the thing to draw that warrior mate of yours to me. Unless… he decides he doesn’t want to come for you after all.”

What did he say? My wolf stilled in his arms.

Ares continued to stroke her fur and I could hear the devious smile in his words. “Do you think Roman will ever forgive you for being the reason his father is dead?”

39

Roman

There was an insistent tug in my chest. The kind of deep-seated, gut feeling that told me I didn’t belong out here.

Inside the vehicle, it was hotter than normal with the humidity from the rain. Sweat dripped onto the mating mark under my uniform, the sting a sharp reminder that Meg was here in the human city I was ordered to patrol tonight.

My jaw ached from how hard I was clenching it, and I’d never been more hyper-aware of my situation.