The Forbidden Alpha

Adea

Turning around, my eyes wander the room until they land on Gabe sitting on the lounge chair for guests. My chest deflates as I exhale letting out the breath I didn’t know I was holding. I run to him.

“Oh Gabe,” I cry.

My eyes filled with tears and my best friend opened his arms. Lurching forward, I crushed my face to his and squeezed him hard. It’s so good to see him out of his room. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had the chance to check in on him. I bite my lip as guilt slithers its way up my chest.

“How-“, I start before he shakes his head.

“Not today, Ady. Today is all about you and you look beautiful,” he murmurs. He makes an attempt at a crooked smile and my heart sinks when it doesn’t reach his eyes. His shoulders weren’t tense and strong, they were slumped and haggard. He’s lost weight, his hair is clean-shaven, and the bags under his eyes tell me he hasn’t been sleeping.

I want to ask more questions but his eyes beg me not to. Nodding, I bite my lip to stop the dam of questions that threaten to spill. I lean back and stare down at the dress. The intricate designs and bold red color speak of confidence and temptation.

“It’s too much for me,” I tell him, “it’s gorgeous but definitely not for the ceremony.”

His eyes trail the red dress and slide down to the floor where it falls. “It’s gorgeous and you’ll rock anything you wear,” he says, his fingers trailing the designs. “But maybe not for the ceremony,” he says with a small smile.

“How are you feeling?” I ask, remembering his wound.

His eyes widen and he gives me a sad smile this time, “I’m okay, Ady. Don’t worry. I’m healing fast,” Gabe says. “Nothing can keep me down for long,” he says and wriggles his eyebrows.

I’d laugh if I didn’t feel the agony radiating off of him. I want to curl into a ball with him and make him feel better but this isn’t the place. I nod before standing up. Gabe holds out his hand and I take it. He leads me to the mirrors and when we stand in front of them.

“Breath-taking dress,” I murmur. He gives me a little bow before stepping back.

“This one is beautiful, maybe you can get it and save it for when you visit another pack with Ethan,” he says. I light up at the idea.

“Maybe,” I whisper.

“It’s too beautiful not to have in your closet,” he says. “Now, let’s see the rest,” Gabe says. “Don’t have all day, you know?” he jests, attempting at a joke.

“Of course not,” I say, giving him a slight curtsy before I make my way into the dressing room. When I come out I’m wearing the light salmon-colored dress with the flowing skirt.

“Well damn, Ady, you clean up nice but we already knew that,” Gabe says. Hopping up, I swear I see him sway before he closes the distance between us and leads me to the mirrors.

When we step in front of the mirrors my eyes widen. This one is gorgeous too, it fits perfectly, and the sleeves fall perfectly off my shoulders. “How have you been?” He asks. “How was Ethan been treating you?”

I blush.

“Ethan’s perfect,” I say, my eyes traveling to the floor. “He’s everything I never knew I needed.”

He nods.

“You deserve nothing less. I’m glad you’ve found happiness bestie,” he says quietly. “You deserve the world. Long may you reign,” he joked.

I slap his shoulder and he doesn’t bother dodging. His throaty laugh lifts my spirits.

“I’m so glad you came,” I whisper. “I wasn’t expecting anyone…”

“Of course, I’m here,” he murmurs, leaning over he presses his lips to my temple. “I’ll always be there for you.”

I swallow the lump in my throat.

“I missed this,” I tell him as I squeeze his arm. “Feels like we’re back at Half Moon getting ready to go and make the meal for the packhouse.”

Gabe’s eyes flashed with something I couldn’t place.

“Those were… simpler times weren’t they?” Gabe asks.

“You were quite the playboy,” I say with a laugh.

He shakes his head.

“That I was,” he says. “And you…,” he trails off.

“I was… pathetic,” I laugh.

“No, you weren’t. You’re one of the strongest people I know Ady,” Gabe says firmly. “You never complained and never looked down on me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have come to Desert Moon and,” he says, “I never would have met her,” he says quietly.

“Gabe-,” I start.

“Next one, Ady,” he says, this smile pulling at both corners of his lips. “I haven’t seen the dress good enough for you yet.”

I nod.

When I come out of the dressing room, I don’t have to wait for him because he’s standing on the other side of the door waiting for me.

His mouth opens but nothing comes out. His eyes crinkle and he flashes me a genuine smile, “Now this,” he says with a nod, “this is the one.”

Reaching out, I take his arm and he leads me over to the mirrors.

“Look no further, Ady. This is the one,” he murmurs.

I look at myself in the mirror and gasp, it is perfect. It’s sleeveless and I can feel the air caressing my lower back. The front of the dress is tight and pushes up my breasts and dips low to give a sneak peek. My eyes trail down the dress as it falls above my ankles, a beautiful design covers the skirt and the ribbon around my rib cage makes me look smaller than I am.

He holds both my hands and looks into my eyes. “Seeing you here like this, I’m so proud of how far you’ve come and who you’ve become. You’ve become a strong bad-ass Luna. This pack doesn’t know how lucky they are to have you.. I only hope your Alpha knows how lucky he is.”