The Forbidden Alpha

“Every unmated male is going to wish you were theirs,” he teased.

“There’s only ever been one for me,” I tell him “But… I’ve shared my bed with two,” I taunt.

He lets out an audible gasp and feigns outrage. “Ludicrous! Ady, you shouldn’t speak of it. Our time together would be frowned upon,” he says and bumps his hip against mine.

He put some power in those hips and I catch myself before I fall to my knees. Laughter bubbles up and out of my chest as I think of the old days where we’d get shit-faced. Once upon a time, I would have no choice but to sit through intensely specific details of his explicit fun with women and sometimes men.

“I don’t know how you ever made it home! Mr. Life of the party,” I said and pressed the tip of my finger into his shoulder. “The trouble you would get yourself into!” I laughed.

We would spend the night howling in laughter or balling our eyes out before passing out. Waking up with Gabe the next morning with a vengeful hangover was always the consequence.

He laughed and for the briefest of moments we were transported back to Half Moon pack. To the days before Ethan and before Olivia. Back to simpler times where we would walk down the hallway.

I could see him clearly gripping his temple and complaining about the pounding in his head. I could see the clean white walls and organized packhouse. I could vividly smell the delicious foods we would make together. Fighting about who had to cook what meal when we had plans. All the times he would cover for me when Mavy wanted me to go somewhere with her.

There were days when the only thing that made me smile was Gabe and Mavy. They kept me going for a long time. Not a day goes by since the trial that I don’t think of her. I wish things could have ended differently between me and her.

“I don’t know if I ever said thanks,” I said slowly, giving him a sideways glance. I know he wasn’t ready to talk about her right now and I would respect that.

“For what, Luna Ady?” He joked. His eyes lingered on me for a moment longer than normal and I knew he was wondering where this conversation was going.

“Yeah, let’s not call me that,” I laughed. “For everything, Gabe. For coming here with me, for sticking up for me and coming forward as a witness… for being my only family through all of this.”

“Deep,” he mocked, a poor attempt at keeping things light.

“I have my moments,” I replied.

“You don’t have to thank me for any of those things, Ady. You don’t thank family for being family,” Gabe responded.

Gabe didn’t leave right away. He offered his stylish expertise and helped pick out accessories and shoes to match the two dresses I decided to purchase. I felt better having him with me. Everything’s better when your best friend is by your side.

I was free for the rest of the day and asked him if he was free for dinner.

“I need to get back,” Gabe said, his eyes glossed over.

“Okay,” I said.

“I’ve had a good time with you, Ady,” he said before leaning down and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Please let me know if you need anything or if I can do anything for you,” I told him.

He gave me a sad smile and my heart broke. He’s going through so much and here we’ve spent the last few hours focusing on me.

“Maybe that’s what he needs,” Korra whispered in the back of my mind.

Gabe turned to leave and I reached out to grasp his arm. Slowly turning back to face me, I knew his emotions were close to surfacing.

“I wanted to ask you to come but I didn’t want to be a selfish friend,” I started, “Will you be my escort to the ceremony?”

“You mean it?” Gabe asked, his eyes widening.

“Yeah, I mean it! You’re my best friend Gabe. You’re family and I know we don’t get emotional all the time but I hope you know that.”

He flashes a lopsided smile.

“I’d love to, Ady,” he says and leans in. I bite my lower lip and tears cloud my vision. I’m enveloped in one of his big bear hugs.

“I’ve missed this,” I whisper. “It’s going to be perfect now,” I tell him.

He gives me a squeeze before letting go.

“Thank you, Gabe.”

Before he could leave, Jenna materialized from thin air. Stepping forward she informed me she would have everything ready and prepared for the ceremony.

“Thank you, Jenna. I thoroughly enjoyed today,” I tell her.

“It was my pleasure, Luna,” she says and hands me a card. “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Oh! Before you go, is it possible to see suits?” I ask. “For Gabe.”

She nods and turns to him, her eyes sliding up and down his frame.

“Will he be matching you?” She asks.

“No, I want to purchase a suit for my escort,” I tell her.

“He can choose the color. Gabe?” I ask, turning to him.

“You don’t have to get me a suit, Ady,” he starts.

“Hush, don’t even start, Gabe.”

He stares at me in silence.

“Well?” I laugh. “What color would you like?”

“You know I’m expensive, right?” He jokes.

“I would only expect the best for my bestie,” I laugh.

“I’d like an all-black suit and tie,” he told Jenna. “Matching shoes.”

She nodded.

“Perfect, I’ll get a few of the best and have them delivered to Luna,” Jenna said.

“Thank you,” Gabe and I said together.

She nods to Gabe and with a bow to me, she excuses herself.

“I have training tomorrow and will be busy the rest of the week,” I tell him. “I want to hang out. Maybe have dinner or something. We could watch a movie.”

“That would be nice,” he said.