The Forbidden Alpha

Alpha Joshua spotted Alpha Ethan first. He walks over to Ethan and Ethan stands to greet him. Alpha Joshua looks tired. Bags hang under his eyes and there’s no smile on his face. Alpha Rose looked worn out, her hair frizzy, her nose red from running, her eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep, and puffy from crying.

I glance at Mavy and see that her eyes are locked on me, she isn’t sure if she should be thankful, angry, or upset. Her eyes go back and forth between me and Alpha Ethan. When Alpha Joshua notices me, I give a short bow, and he takes a seat at another table across from where Gabe sits. Luna Rose nods to me and sits by Alpha Joshua’s side. His Beta on his other side. Mavy walks over and sits beside her mom but her eyes are still on me.

“I’ve called you here today so we can discuss what has happened and what the consequences are going to be,” Ethan says addressing my pack leaders. “Do you know what he’s done?” Ethan asks Alpha Joshua.

“I don’t know what my son has done to deserve such a beating, Alpha Ethan. We came here as guests hoping to enjoy the ball. My son has been in the hospital for 2 days now and I would like to know what he possibly could have done to warrant being treated as a prisoner when he’s injured,” Alpha Joshua says. There’s anger in his tone but I can tell he’s trying to keep it under wraps. I’ve never seen him this way and I can feel the guilt spreading in my chest.

Alpha Ethan cracks his neck before answering, “Your son has attempted to **** my mate.” Alpha Ethan’s voice is calm but dripping with controlled anger.

Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose’s eyes go wide. Disrespecting an Alpha’s mate can lead to death or war but they just found out their son attempted to **** an Alpha’s mate. Mavy lets out a pained cry.

“Alpha… I know my son… he maybe… difficult at times… and headstrong but he… he wouldn’t-” Alpha Joshua chokes out before Ethan cuts him off.

“He would and he did attempt to,” Ethan tells him. “My Beta and I both witnessed it but I know it can be hard to believe people who aren’t from your own family. Thankfully, we have a witness who happens to be from your pack.”

That’s when all eyes turn to Gabe sitting alone at his own table. Gabe squares his shoulders and looks at Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose. Before he speaks he gives them a low bow when he lifts his head, his eyes are hard. “I witnessed it Alpha. I promised Ady I would be by her side tonight because she had been having issues with Shane. She was afraid of being alone with him and since Mavy set her and Shane up she had no choice,” Shane says and Mavy lets out a sob.

“Last week during breakfast, I saw Shane touching Ady under the table and that night I made a mental note to ask Ady about it but changed my mind because I figured she would talk to me about it. That night at dinner she was a mess,” Gabe pauses glancing at Alpha Ethan.

He swallows before beginning, “I went to her room that night to check on her. I took liquid courage so she would hopefully feel relaxed enough to tell me what was going on. She didn’t say anything about what happened and instead cried in my arms.”

“We made plans for me to escort her to the Ball here at Desert Moon but Mavy set her up with Shane somehow and she let me know when we arrived here. I ignored my gut feeling and escorted Sasha instead. I didn’t notice when Ady disappeared because… because I was in the bathroom stall with Sasha. When we went to the dance floor I couldn’t find Ady,” Gabe says.

“I let temptation sway me. I searched for her and joined Alpha Ethan when I saw him go outside. I followed him and when we got outside, I saw Ady standing, with Shane on the floor between her legs. She was staring at the moon when Shane got up. He grabbed her chin and told her to look at him while he took her,” Gabe shudders.

“I was frozen until Alpha Ethan rushed over and pulled him off of her,” Gabe says and looks at Alpha Ethan.

“So… you’re saying that Adea is Alpha Ethan’s… mate?” Alpha Joshua asks looking at Alpha Ethan.

“Yes, she’s mine,” he says in a low tone that sends tingles down my back.

Mavy looks at me and then looks at Gabe, and bites her lip.

Alpha Joshua takes a deep breath and exhales. “Congratulations on finding your mate Adea,” Alpha Joshua says. His eyes are cold as he looks at me. Luna Rose gives me a small bow.

“I punished your pup and he’s been on lockdown in his hospital room because I needed to inform you about his crime,” Ethan says coldly.

Alpha Joshua slumps, “He is my heir.”

“He touched what was mine,” Ethan bristles. “He dared.”

“What will… what will you do with him?” Alpha Joshua asks and Luna Rose turns and grabs onto her mate. Unable to hold them back sobs wracking her body.

“He will receive 100 lashes and you will exile him from your pack. If you don’t agree to exile him, I will kill him. I should kill him but I’m offering this mercy to you, Alpha Joshua, so we can end things on a positive note between our packs,” Ethan tells him.

Luna Rose and Mavy are crying and their Beta takes them outside. “I was protecting what’s mine. Not only has your son touched what’s mine but he’s also been abusing her under your nose.”

Alpha Joshua turns to me and looks me in the eyes. “I want to apologize in Shane’s place. I’m sorry, that you’ve been suffering Adea. I’m sorry your …. abuse went unnoticed.” He gives me a deep bow before turning back to Ethan.

“Will you let us say our goodbyes to him?” Alpha Joshua pleads.

Ethan looks at me and then looks back at Alpha Joshua. “Yes.”

When Alpha Joshua and Luna Rose leave, Olivia walks over to Gabe and grabs his hand leading him out. I’m left with Beta Odis and Ethan.

“You’re dismissed Odis,” Ethan nods to him.

“Alpha, Luna,” Odis says bowing to us before leaving closing the door on his way out.

I’m left alone in the meeting hall with Ethan. I reach out to him when he raises his eyes to look at me. I can’t explain the emotion swirling in his eyes.

“Come here little one,” he murmurs grabbing my hand and pulling me into his lap.