Page 12 of The Forbidden Alpha

“Don’t forget. Tomorrow we practice your makeup with Nikki,” Mavy said, dragging me down the hall toward the kitchen. I gave her a side-glance, trying to protest, but she just smiled. “Don’t even, Adea. You’re destined for a night of glitter and heels.”

She came to a sudden stop outside the kitchen door, her grip tightening on my arm. “Adea?”

I could hear the caution in her voice. I held my breath as she turned her head to look at me, confusion etched on her features. “Yes, Mavy?” I whispered.

“Why…” She shook her head, her eyes searching mine for a long, silent moment. Whatever she saw, she didn’t voice it. “Never mind. I wish tomorrow night was here already!”

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. “It’ll be nice to have some girl time,” I said honestly.

“Ady,” Gabe said as I entered the kitchen. “I’ve already started the chicken. Do you mind cutting up the vegetables for me?”

I stepped away from Mavy and gave him a quick side-hug. “Of course. Sorry I’m late.”

“No worries,” he said.

I grabbed the potatoes next to the sink as Mavy hovered by the counter. Gabe took a deep breath, his hand stopping mid-stir in the pan. He turned, watching me as I began to peel the potatoes with frantic, mechanical movements.

Gabe turned to Mavy. “How’s Trent treating you, Mave?”

Mavy giggled and blushed. “We’re just friends, Gabe.”

“From what I’ve seen, the feelings are mutual. You two just need to admit it.” He gave her a knowing smile before glancing back at me.

“Shane was saying I should see if Trent can escort me, but I want him to ask me first,” Mavy said, leaning against the counter. She turned her eyes to me. “He also said he could escort you in if you didn’t have someone to walk you in, Adea. If it isn’t weird for my brother to do it. No pressure.”

I stared intensely at the potatoes, the blade of the peeler scraping raw against the skin. I didn’t look up; I couldn’t. I wanted to scream that it was the last thing I wanted, but I forced another smile as I glanced at her. “I’d appreciate it.”

Gabe stared at me, his gaze heavy, silent, knowing. He didn’t say anything before turning back to the stove.

The rest of the evening went on like any other night. Gabe sang along to the wireless speaker and Mavy’s laughter echoed from the table. I set the table with shaking hands and slipped out before the rest of the pack could arrive, fleeing to the only place where the air wasn’t suffocating. I ran until my lungs burned and the only sound was the blood moving through my ears. The scent of damp earth finally started to drown out the cedar.

***

When I got back, I collided with Gabe in the dim hallway leading to my room.

“Ady!” he rumbled, his voice thick with one too many drinks. Before I could sidestep him, he hauled me into a heavy, crushing bear hug.

I went rigid, my skin still crawling from the memory of Shane. “Hey, Gabe,” I forced out, my voice tight.

He finally released me, though he didn’t step back. He swayed slightly, his eyes glassier than usual. “Where’d you go? You vanished before the first plate even hit the table. Disappeared.”

“Needed to escape reality for a bit,” I sighed.

Gabe dropped a heavy arm over my neck, steering me toward my door. We moved in a slow, staggered rhythm until we reached the sanctuary of my room. He leaned against the doorframe, the playful light in his eyes dying as he lowered his voice to a hushed, dangerous whisper.

“You want to tell me why you smell like Shane, Ady?”

The air left my lungs. I’d hoped the steam from the stove and the scent of the potatoes had masked it, but Gabe’s nose was too sharp, even through the haze of alcohol.

“I’m surprised it took you this long to ask,” I deflected, trying to sound bored instead of terrified. I forced a laugh as he stumbled toward my bed and flopped onto the mattress. “You’ve had way too much to drink, Gabe.”

He looked at me for a long moment, his jaw working, weighing something he didn’t say. Whatever it was, he kept it. He sat up, reached into his pocket, and flashed me a mischievous smile. And he lined up a row of Bondbreaker minis on my nightstand, tiny glass soldiers awaiting orders. “If you don’t want to talk about it, let’s drink about it.”

Two hours and several rounds of burning, cheap vodka later, the world was finally starting to blur at the edges. Gabe was sprawled flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. The alcohol had brought a bright flush to his cheeks, and his messy blond hair fanned out against my white pillowcase, boyish and out of place.

I downed the last of the miniatures. I stood up to kill the lights, my legs heavy and sluggish beneath me, and fell back onto the bed with a heavy thump.

“EARTHQUAKE!” Gabe hollered, his voice booming in the small room as he flailed his arms.