The Forbidden Alpha

After the toast, I looked around at the surrounding tables. The warm sun, the soft breeze, the smiling faces. Everything was perfect or as perfect as it could be with the people we were missing. I swallowed and forced the thoughts aside. Today was not the day to cry.

“I’ve always thought of you as a queen but I can officially call you a QUEEN!” Gabe said. “My bestie’s a queen,” he said with a little fake hair toss.

The smile that spread across my face was the biggest one I’ve had in a while. It feels like I’ve got my best friend back and I could cry from happiness. I know he’s been dealing with some shit but seeing him joke like this makes my heart so happy. Tears well up in my eyes again and he cups my cheek.

“You can’t cry yet, sis! I haven’t even given my speech yet,” he scolds as he presses his hand to his chest in mock shock. My eyes widen as he grabs my champagne and stands to his feet. He grabs a fork and taps it against the glass a few times until the guests are quiet. In a manner of seconds, my best friend holds the attention of everyone present. Ethan hangs his arm on the back of my seat and I lean into him.

“Good afternoon, everyone! For everyone who isn’t blessed enough to know me, my name is Gabe and I’m lucky to be this beautiful woman’s best friend. I have known Adea for the better half of my life. I wasn’t lucky enough to have people like her in my life. When she came along she was a Goddess sent. I remember all of the shit she’s gone through. Despite the seriously dark shit that was thrown her way, it didn’t break her. It only made her more and more confident. Today, she became Luna, and,” he said as he looked at me, “Happy looks SO good on you.” I swipe at the tears that are running down my cheeks.

I love you. I mouth.

I love you. He mouths back.

“I know your start was rough but nothing worth having is easy to get. This has been a year of change, a year of loss, a year of pain, and a year of new beginnings. We’ve got through so much and to see you rise above it all; gives me life,” he said, his voice choking. I was ugly crying and I didn’t even care as I stared at my best friend. I could see and feel his heartache and relief.

“And Ethan, can I call you that?” He asks. Ethan gives him a pointed look and the crowd breaks out in laughter. “Ethan, your mate is the kindest person I know, she’s beautiful and caring. She’s everything you want in a friend, a sister, a mate and I must say, you are damn lucky to have her.”

Ethan raises his drink. “Here here!” He toasts.

“I leave her in your hands. I look forward to all of the great things the two of you will achieve but most of all, I look forward to watching you two grow old and happy together,” Gabe says as he raises his drink. “Here’s to you, my best friend, my sister, my Queen,” he says before he lifts the drink to his lips.

The crowd murmured and threw their heads back as they drank. I stood to my feet and wrapped my arms around my best friend, my brother. He wrapped his arms around me and scooped me up into one of his big bear hugs. “Told you it was too early to cry,” he whispered. I hiccuped and laughed as we pulled apart.

“Har har,” I said and punched his arm.

“Ow,” he said. He grabbed his arm and we dropped back in our seats.

Shortly after the toast, the waiters served everyone and we dug into the delicious food. I couldn’t have been happier with the food Kristina had prepared and I made a mental note to thank her before the night ended.

After the meal, music began to play and Ethan stood to his feet. Ethan’s arm wrapped around my waist possessively and I giggled.

“Everyone knows I am yours,” I said. The music in my ears, the important people in my life by my side. I let out a sigh of content.

He pulled me in tighter and I felt an overwhelming emotion fill me. Tears of happiness pooled in my eyes and Ethan tipped my chin up. Our eyes meet and he gives me a knowing smile before leaning down and claiming my lips.

I was happy. This is what happiness is.

***

Shane

The news of my pet’s death left a sour taste in my mouth. How disappointing. She’d been the most fun I’d had since, well, Adea. I wanted her to do a lot more damage than she did but she was caught. I hadn’t gotten my dick wet since my pet and I groaned with need. Weeks, it had been fucking weeks.

Something had begun building in me from a young age. When Adea came into my life she stopped it from growing but when she was taken from me, it filled to the rim. I’d finally done something for myself, taken something for myself and she was fucking taken. When I was exiled from my own pack and denounced, it overflowed and spilled to the ground.

I watched the ceremony, I knew what holding it in the courtyard meant. It meant she couldn’t stop thinking of me. It meant she couldn’t forget me. I saw her. I heard her. When that pathetic excuse of an Alpha put his arm around her shoulder it took my wolf to hold me back.

My pack was growing. It was still small but it was growing. I would be back. I would come for her. Right after I gave father and mother a visit. My eyes find her as tears stain her cheeks. She’s breathtakingly beautiful today. I ball my hands into fists and let my gaze drop down her body as she jumps to her feet and takes Gabriel into her arms.

I’d reclaim what’s rightfully mine and I would come and take my mate.. I’d take her home.