Page 43 of The Forbidden Alpha

The heavy thud of Odis’s knuckles against the doorframe snapped us apart. He pushed the door open, his dark gaze scanning the room before settling on our joined hands. “Ten minutes,” he rumbled.

I swiped the wetness on my cheeks and started to stand, but Gabe’s hand was firm on my shoulder, pushing me back down. “Sit,” he commanded. “Didn’t you hear the doctor? You’re not all there. Stay put. I’ll get everything.”

“Gabe, I can—”

“I’ve got it. You didn’t bring much anyway,” Gabe interrupted, standing abruptly and facing the Beta, his chin tilted up in a silent challenge.

I sat there, watching them move. It was the natural thing to do—the standard protocol. In our world, once a mate is identified, the board is reset. The two become one. It didn’t matter that I didn’t know Ethan; the law of the pack and fate had already decided I was his.

It was quick. Gabe picked up my bags as I turned to Odis and found him watching. “Follow me, Luna.”

We got into the elevator and he pressed a smooth, unmarked button that lit up. When Odis pressed his thumb to a hidden scanner, the doors closed. When they opened, Gabe turned to me as his eyebrows rose. I laughed quietly and nodded.

We walked down the hall and into the living room I hadn’t had a chance to see earlier. Gabe set the bags down and I grabbed his arm.

“Everyone will be leaving tomorrow, but I’ll be staying behind with you. I was a witness to… before. Alpha Ethan has given me a way to make amends,” Gabe said.

I hugged him, the relief nearly bringing me to my knees. “It’s selfish of me, but I’m happy you’re not leaving yet. Thanks, Gabe.”

“I’d stay behind regardless,” he murmured.

Odis cleared his throat, standing in the hall between the elevator and the room we were in. “We have things to talk about.”

“Okay, yeah,” I said, releasing him.

“I love you, Ady. You have your phone?” Gabe asked.

I nodded. “Somewhere, I’ll find it.”

“Call me if you need anything. I won’t be far,” he said before turning and walking to Odis.

The Beta pulled something from his jacket pocket and offered it to me. I took my phone from him. “I found it this morning.”

My throat tightened as they headed for the elevator and panic flared. The fortress walls were beginning to feel like a gilded cage, and I couldn’t be left alone here. Not yet. “Wai—”

The elevator pinged before I could finish, the doors sliding open to reveal a figure standing inside. All three of us turned to her.

The Gamma.

Olivia lurched out of the elevator, her nostrils flaring. Her eyes weren’t the commanding gold of an Alpha. Instead, her gray irises bled away, replaced by a glowing silver that shimmered with an intent that made the hair on my arms stand up.

She stopped dead, her gaze pinning us to the spot, wild and unhinged.

“MATE.”

Chapter 24

A growl tore from her lips as she charged, her eyes locked on Gabe. Beneath his skin, I felt more than saw the answer—Felix surging forward.

The hallway narrowed in on my best friend who stood frozen, his beautiful blue eyes wide as the Gamma slammed into him. Then the air shifted as their souls collided. Gabe moved in a blur, grabbing her waist as the force carried them backward, slamming her against the opposite wall. She didn’t fight him. The thud of her spine hitting the stone echoed through the quiet penthouse as she willingly surrendered, her hands flying to grip his shoulders. I was stunned as he buried his face into the curve of her neck, inhaling her scent like it was his only lifeline. Olivia arched her back, offering her throat to him in total submission.

My gaze shot to Odis as a warning growl reached my ears. My best friend was too busy dragging his tongue up her neck to notice the death reflected in the Beta’s eyes. Odis flew toward the couple, and I jumped in front of him as the elevators dinged. His chest hit my hands with the force of a runaway train, the impact shoving me back, knocking the wind from my lungs.

In a flash, an arm wrapped around my back, steadying me as Odis was pried off. Ethan towered over me as he gripped his Beta with the other hand. Aggression vibrated off him in thick, suffocating waves as he stared Odis down. His green eyes darted to Olivia; her legs wrapped around Gabe’s waist, her fingers fisted in his hair.

“Warrick,” Ethan growled. The name filled the room with so much Alpha power the couple was physically wrenched apart by the command. Odis blinked, his silver eyes bleeding back to blue as he forced his wolf down, but his gaze remained pinned to Olivia. My heart broke for him.

“Do you know how dangerous it is to be in his path?” Ethan asked, his voice strained, directed at me. He didn’t let go; if anything, his grip tightened, pulling me flush against him.