Page 112 of The Alpha’s Heir

No more attacking the gods!

“Why is denial always a mortal’s first reaction? As if the whole universe conspired to deceive you. What makes you think you’re so special?” Ares seemed amused as he leaned back in his chair. At least he hadn’t killed us on the spot for my wolf’s little… outburst.

It’s because he’s entertained. She retreated, feeling her pride sink a bit at that realization, but it gave me hope.

I forced myself to meet the eyes of a god.

He smiled. “Such fragile, inflated, mortal egos. I do quite enjoy watching them be crushed.”

My arms gave out and I fell straight ONto my face, yanked by some invisible thread.

So that’s how it’s going to be. I readied myself to be a plaything of the gods. It wasn’t the first time I’d been knocked down just to get back up.

I had some ferocious sisters.

I got my arms underneath me and rocked back to my heels, fighting the pull of gravity.

Ares’s glossy black shoe tapped against the floor. “What should we do while we wait for him to arrive? How about we talk of your family? What defenses have the wolves built outside these walls?”

He does realize we’d rather die than betray them?

I sat silently, thinking of all the times I’d seen Roman do the same thing.

“You’re no fun.” Ares lifted his hand.

From the corner of my eye, I saw a thin strand of drool run down Justus’s chin, and I couldn’t imagine a fate worse for me or my wolf.

It was one thing to get hurt, another to be immobilized and powerless.

“Wait,” I said. “Why would I tell you our secrets? Where is the fun in that?”

“Fun?” Ares rested his hand on his knee. “What fun?”

“Isn’t half the thrill of war that you don’t know what the enemy is hiding?” I was grasping at straws.

Ares frowned. “The thrill of war is winning.”

Okay, new tactic. “Aren’t you bored of war?”

Ares blinked.

“Guess not. But come on. The drama of it all must be exhausting.” I glanced over my shoulder at the door I left open, sending a silent prayer to whoever was listening—if anyone cared to listen—that Katrina or Stephen wouldn’t come check on us.

A flash of lightning lit up the room, and Ares’s smile seemed more feral than before.

“If you think I’m dramatic, just wait until you meet my father. Always with the theatrics.” He motioned to the window. “But I do look forward to knocking the dust off my robes with another battle. Tell me, does your aunt still fight?”

I bared my teeth as I glared at him. “If you want a fight, fight me.”

“Now why would I do that when I have something more delicious planned?” Ares leaned back in his chair, watching me with a predator’s intensity. “Can you imagine the battlefield drama with lovers on opposing sides? He’ll hate you for being weak. For forcing the mating bond on him and causing the death of his father. I know a good soldier when I see one. A whisper from me in his ear, and I’ll have him commanding the entire human army against the wolves.”

Thunder shook the windows and lightning flashed again.

“Whose side will you choose then, little alpha? Will you fight with your family against your mate?” Ares’s smile was cruel.

The slightest movement caught my eye. Helen’s hand twitched as she curled it into a fist. Her face was still a frozen mask, but I could sense her fighting behind the compulsion.

Something flashed beyond her. A light on the road that cut out quick. I felt the tug in our bond, calling to me. Roman was out there.