The Forbidden Alpha

Adea

The pain flashed in her eyes for only a second before the light disappeared. She didn’t seem to see me as she stared at something far away. Her head slumped forward and her body went limp.

Odis’s arm reached around and engulfed Olivia’s body before she could hit the ground. Odis fell to his knees and he held her to his body like she’d fall apart if he let go. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he rocked back and forth. He whispered words of comfort into her ear while his hand gently caressed her pale cheek.

Peeling my gaze away from him, my eyes roamed to the shoulders before me. Normally broad and strong, they sagged with defeat. I took a step forward, daring to stand by his side. Needing to assess the damage and be near him.

Ethan towered over their defeated crumpled forms. He stood frozen in place, shock riddled his features as he focused on what he held in front of him. He didn’t move an inch as blood dripped from his hand down to his wrist. Despite the alarms going off, my eyes zoomed in to his hand.

I didn’t realize I was shaking until I reached out my fingers until my hands wrapped around his outstretched one. I attempt to pry his hand open in hopes he’ll loosen his hold on her heart but his hand has a steel grip.

My heart breaks for him and a sob threatens to escape and tear through the last barrier holding me together. His eyes don’t stray from his hand and I squeeze his hand four times hoping that will get his attention.

It takes him a second but his eyes find mine. Relief flares as recognition dawns and his grip on it loosens. My fingers grab hold of the bloodied mess and pull it from his grasp. I squeeze his hand before turning to Odis. He’s still rocking back and forth with her and I lean down to squeeze his shoulder.

“We need to move her,” I tell him firmly. “She shouldn’t stay here.”

Odis looks up through pain-filled eyes and nods. As he gets up to stand on his feet he pulls Olivia up into his arms pulling her in close.

I let out a small breath of relief, thankful to have gotten the heart from Ethan and Odis off the floor. It feels as if things are progressing and are in motion again. Steeping towards him, I tentatively placed her heart on top of her and he turned to the dungeon doors.

When Odis came to a stop in front of the dungeon door, one of the guards ran and opened it and held it for him as he walked out. The guards still stood around the room and I pulled myself to my full height.

“Leave us,” I commanded.

They looked at each other and then looked between the two of us. When he didn’t respond or look their way, they gave me a respectful bow before leaving. I waited until they all left and the door swung close behind us to wrap my arms around Ethan’s waist. He was tense but I held him until I felt his body relax against mine.

***

After Ethan and I left the dungeons he led the way to the pack graveyard. The guards had already dug a hole for her and Odis stood beside her body. His eyes stared intently at Olivia’s face as if committing it to memory.

“Executed traitors don’t get a funeral,” Ethan murmured to me as we stepped closer. I looked around and saw a few guards present. The three of us were her only friends to witness her burial.

I’m glad I picked some of the flowers I saw on the way here. It was a poor excuse for a bouquet but I’d have something to place on her grave. Gabe would miss out on her burial too.

The guards bowed. We all stood in silence for a few minutes before Ethan gave them a nod. They stepped forward and started to lower her into the ground. My heart cried out for my best friend who couldn’t be here. I prayed to the Goddess that he would find comfort in me being here.

I knew his heart must be split in two with her passing. A wolf could feel the death of its mate and I knew Gabe was hurting right now. A wolf who had to live without its mate… wouldn’t be able to last long.

I’ve heard stories what happens when a wolf loses its mate. Some wolves slowly go insane, others get violent and go rogue, some follow their mate’s into the grave.

Gabe and his wolf would need help recovering. I don’t know what we can do to help but something will have to be done and soon. I shouldn’t be thinking of this right now. This wasn’t the time or place but I refuse to lose another friend.

I did hear a rumor of some wolves finding a second mate after losing their first.

It was rare but I’ve heard of the Moon Goddess blessing some wolves with a second chance mate. I would need to look into it more but if there was a chance for Gabe… I’d find it. I’d get into contact with a witch if I had to.

One good thing had come from Olivia’s death. One thing that gave me hope. In my dreams, I remembered seeing Olivia’s body scattered among my friends. According to my dreams, Olivia was supposed to die on the battlefield. With her death, I knew my dreams could be changed.

I shake the thoughts from my mind. I can handle that another day. Today, I need to be here. I watch as Olivia disappears into the ground and they start to shovel dirt on top of her. We stay until she’s covered and the hole is filled.

I take a few steps and dip down to place the flowers on the little mound of dirt.. Shane did this and I swear on the Moon Goddess, I’d make him pay.