Alpha Queen [1]

xxv

Call me stupid, call me weak.

But we needed Troy alive. For a truce to stop unwanted bloodshed. For him to think about what's he done. For an end to the cruel repetition that would be written for generations.

Shockingly, Ares finally agreed and didn't rip off his head.

We threw him in the prison with the others.

His wolves scattered back into the woods as the news got out but Ares's wolves caught some runners. The cells reached their maximum amount of prisoners.

"Troy's captured." Ares told Marvel, who had fought beside us. He didn't have a scratch on him. They were both strong fighters.

"Wait. You didn't kill him?" Marvel growled through gritted teeth.

"No." I spoke up and he glared at me. But I didn't step back. "We need him alive to negotiate a truce."

"Do you know what will happen if we let him live? Keeping him is a risk to all of us." Marvel spat angrily and Ares met his eyes.

"Are you questioning your Luna's decision?" Ares asked in a cold voice.

I thought Marvel would explode right then and there in rage, but he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He exhaled slowly and replied, "No, Alpha,"

He bowed and walked away, still fuming a little.

"He controlled his wolf this time." Ares observed and I nodded, surprised. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I leaned into him, feeling content.

I suddenly remembered something I almost forgot, what with everything that had just happened in the past hours. This was one chaotic day.

"Ares, I need to free my parents from Troy's prison." I told him and he nodded.

"Of course." Ares picked five of his most loyal wolves, not including Blake or Marvel, to break my parents out.

They returned two hours later.

Ares and I met with my parents in one of the dining rooms. He squeezed my hand reassuringly.

Dad hadn't shaved in weeks and Mom was ravaged with insomnia. They both looked exhausted, starving, and anxious to see me.

"Alex?" Mom asked hesitantly and I left Ares's side to hug her. Dad joined us, holding me and my mom in his arms.

My mom held out her hand to Ares, who was staring at us like he didn't know what to do.

Nevertheless, Ares took my mom's hand and I felt his arms around all of us.

My parents let me go a moment after and I stood by Ares's side once again.

"Thank you for taking care of her." Dad told Ares and he nodded. "We know she can be a handful."

"Dad!" I objected.

"And since we can see that she's happy here with you, we agree to let her stay here." Dad continued and my mouth dropped open.

"What?" I gasped, my breath caught in my throat.

"But only if she wants to. If you want to come home for any reason, any reason at all, just call, okay?" Mom said tearfully and I smiled at her, tears blurring my vision.

"Of course." I said, rubbing my eyes.

"But if you hurt her in any way, I'm going to cut off your fingers, got that?" Dad warned and I wanted them to stop talking. My parents were so embarrassing.

"I will always protect Alex." He promised and I smiled at him.

I hugged them one last time before they started to leave. Ares offered them one of the pack cars so they could make the long drive back home in comfort.

My parents headed to the front door and my dad patted Ares on the shoulder. He whispered something in his ear that I couldn't quite hear. Ares nodded and gave my dad a half-smile before the door closed.

Unconditional happiness was all I felt. After all we've been through, he was mine. He was here and he was alive. My soulmate. The true love of my life.

I was caught up in the moment.

I wasn't thinking.

Without hesitation, I grabbed Ares' face and pressed his lips to mine.

His lips were just as soft and inviting as before. Except he was more rough, more passionate. He lost his gentle touch and this kiss was much less innocent than the first. There was a burning desire in both of us that kept spreading at a rapid pace.

I pulled away first, absolutely stunned that I had just done that.

Why did I just do?

I was utterly mortified.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that." I apologized quickly and turned my head away, blushing furiously.

"No, I should've."

He tilted my face back up to his and our lips met once again.

The kiss came hotter and faster than before. He pulled me closer to him and I moaned in satisfaction. I felt his tongue inside my mouth and I opened it a little more, allowing him more entrance.

My heart pounded excitedly as he pressed me tightly against him, his arms around my waist. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this.

I gasped for air but Ares wasn't done.

His lips trailed down my neck and I shivered at his touch. His tongue stopped at the place where he marked me. He placed a gentle kiss on my neck and I sighed.

He kissed my forehead and we touched heads, breathing heavily. It was like I couldn't get enough of him, I would always crave more. He was like an addiction.

"That was. . ." I trailed off, too flustered.

"Our second kiss." He murmured and tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear. I smiled.

"Should we go for a third?"

He answered my question with another kiss.