Page 117 of The Alpha’s Heir

Ares smirked. “You didn’t even want to try it?”

“I have no plans to die today,” I told him.

Ares’s laughter echoed off the walls. I stood steady so as not to flinch under the weight of that voice.

“Spoken like a true warrior,” he said. “A fool who thinks he holds the power of life in his own hands.”

I let him talk, racking my brain for stories my dad had told me of Ares. There weren’t many. He didn’t seem as adventurous as the other gods, despite riding into numerous battles.

“I’ve been waiting a long time for you, Roman.” Ares sobered, taking the echoes in the room with him.

I hated the fear that came from hearing his words. Lies, I tried to remind myself. Trickster gods with their riddles and agendas.

“No, you haven’t,” I said. “You’ve been asleep a long time.”

Ares grinned. “Did you know gods can dream? Oh, how I dreamed of this day. It’s been too long since Earth has been cleansed by bloodshed. And you, my champion, will lead us into battle like the world has never seen. Pick up your weapon.”

My fingers twitched as images of glory and fame came unbidden to my mind, and all the while, the mating mark burned, screaming under my uniform, reminding me.

I forced my eyes open. “I don’t want war.”

“War comes whether we want it or not,” he said. “The question is, will you be ready?”

“No.” I stood firmly. “This isn’t my fight.”

Ares moved closer, a snake taunting his prey. “And what do you think your little alpha mate will do when she learns you are a coward? A soldier too scared to take up arms and protect his people.”

Ares tsked.

“You don’t know her.” I forced the anger at his words somewhere else, refusing to let him get under my skin.

“You think I don’t know wolves?” Ares’s smile was tender, as if appeasing a small child. “Do you know what those wolves did? They were created to help guide the humans, to bridge the balance between beast and man. They had a purpose. A role to play. Instead, they abandoned your people, leaving them to work themselves to the bone for the cruelty of humanity, while they hoarded the earth for their own kind.”

His voice was a caress against my ear, calling me to right the injustices of the past. To balance the scales. Just like my father used to do when he told me stories of great heroes.

That’s all this was.

A story.

I knew hundreds of them.

One little story came to mind. Not even a story, a mention of one, buried deep as a detail in some other journey. About a god of war and his wolves…

“History doesn’t have to repeat itself,” I said.

“Oh, but it will.” Fire raged in his eyes. “The time has come for humans to take back what is rightfully theirs, and the wolves won’t give it up without a fight. Will you let your people—your men—die in the coming days when you alone have the power to protect them, given at my mercy?”

“I won’t be your champion.” I braced for the blow that would surely come.

“Why not?” Ares growled.

The mating mark throbbed against my collarbone, but I wouldn’t give her up, even if it was the last thing I ever did.

Boldly, I met Ares’s glare. “Because you’re not a god worth fighting for.”

“No?” That simple word turned the entire room cold, so cold the very air burned my skin. “Allow me to change your mind.”

“No need,” I said, bending a knee and bowing my head. “I invoke the true god of war. Mars, I pray for your protection in this fight.”