The Forbidden Alpha

Adea

The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was white. I squinted as I tried to understand what I was looking at. I was laying down and there was a white ceiling above me. I was disoriented as I tried to make sense of where I was, what day it was, and who I was.

After a few moments of blinking and staring at the ceiling, I realized I was in my room. The sun was setting and was casting shadows that ran along the walls. It was night not morning. I didn’t understand why I was here or why my head was throbbing. Bits of my day began to flash through my mind.

I remember breakfast with everyone, Leo fighting, sitting on the grass with Gabe, and walking towards Briana.

Briana.

I sat up in bed abruptly. Instantly, I was hit with pain all over my body; starting in my head. I flinched from the bruising in my stomach and I fought the urge to touch it. Remembering my nose, I tenderly touched the bridge and breathed a sigh of relief. It had been pushed back into place and was healing.

Next, my fingers grazed over my cheek and I checked my other cheek. One side was more swollen than the other, and I knew I looked like I’d been chewed up and spit out. I had been sparring, if you could call it sparring, with Briana.

More like you were fighting for your life.

Yeah, thanks, Kor. I was there.

My wolf chuckled at my response. She kicked my ass and then some. I had hoped I’d never have to fight against her. I knew she was strong and even though I lost, I’m glad I was partnered with her. She only proved how much stronger my foes could be, how strong I needed to be. She set a goal for me to strive towards. Despite the pain, my hands balled into fists, and I smiled. I was excited about the path in front of me. I felt hope knowing I was getting stronger.

A flash of movement to my right caused me to flinch back and cry out. My body cried out against the sudden pull. A scream that wasn’t my own bounced off the walls. My eyes took in the blonde hair first and dropped to the eyes wild with fear. Relief hit me and I couldn’t help but laugh as I stared at my best friend. He was screaming like he was being chased.

“Goddess, Ady!” Gabe gripped his chest, leaned back in his chair, his shoulders drooping with relief. I was still laughing as I stared at my best friend. “I dozed off for a minute and forgot where I was.”

“That sounds like the drunk you, Gabe,” I teased as I wiped my eyes.

“Well, I’m as sober as a horse. I haven’t had a sip since your ceremony and I should probably refrain from liquid courage.”

“I’ve missed this,” I said as I leaned back against the bed frame. “Late-night talks, jokes, and fun with you.”

“They were simpler days, weren’t they?” Gabe asked as he leaned forward and leaned his elbows on the bed.

“Days when all I worried about was what we were making for the packhouse meals and how to avoid Shane,” I said as I slipped into a daydream of earlier days. Gabe sighed beside me. “You were always there for me, Gabe. A lot of my happy memories were with you.”

“I know, I’m an amazing person and everyone wants me in their life.”

“Hey now,” I said and lightly slapped his arm.

He chuckled and stared back at me. “Other than, partying, drinking, and sleeping around… I had happy memories with you then too… little sis.”

He reached out and curled a strand of hair around his finger, “Being your one and only bestest friend in the entire world… I feel I owe it to you.” He slipped the strand of hair behind my hair, “To tell you, you look like absolute shit,’ He said. He flashed me his sweet crooked smile while he spat anything but sweet words.

“Well, excuse me,” I said with a little more than an ounce of sass. “I just got my ass handed to me on a silver platter from the strongest warrior in our pack. I wouldn’t be surprised if only Ethan rivaled her strength. Also, I wouldn’t expect you to look so pretty after a fight with Briana.”

“Don’t worry your pretty,” Gabe blinked and gave me a side glance, “… little head over me. Unlike you, I know I could hold my own against Briana.” Gabe’s nose was in the air at this point. “I don’t know if you noticed during the competition, but… I’m pretty strong, Ady. After seeing her in a fight with you, I know I’d be just fine. Seeing her put you on your ass only made me want to fight her more.”

“If you hype yourself anymore I might throw up,” I tease.

“When I do go against her, I’ll get revenge for you,” Gabe said honestly.

“Oh, my knight in shining armor,” I sighed. My best friend chuckled as he leaned back in his chair.

“But all jokes aside, I was so worried. You scared the living shit out of me. I’m glad you’ve finally come to,” Gabe said.

“Did you realign my nose?” I asked.

“Goddess, no. Doctor James left an hour before you got up. He helped you with that and checked you over before he left.”

“I’ll have to thank him,” I rolled my eyes. “What about Ethan?”

“Okay, so hear me out,” Gabe said.

I groaned. “This already doesn’t sound good.”

“I wasn’t going to at first because I didn’t want to be the bearer of bad news,” he said defensively.

“But?” I pressed.

“In the end, being the great friend that I am, I did. I may have downplayed your injuries though.”

“How so?” I asked.

“I may have told him you slipped and fell? He freaked out when I told him I had to call the doc for you but I reassured him that you were in bed resting. I convinced him it wasn’t worth him leaving what he was doing.. I told him I’d be by your side until he came back.”