Page 29 of The Forbidden Alpha

“Manners,” Mavy snapped, her hand on her hip. “You’re unmated. Don’t give the visitors the wrong idea.”

“I think that’s the point,” Shane drawled, his eyes never leaving mine.

“I think we’re ready. I need my phone,” I said, reaching for my clutch. He held me close, my hands curling around my phone, my fingers trembling as I typed out a quick text.

Adea: Leaving now. Meet us in the hall.

Gabe: Be right out.

“Gabe is ready,” I said, putting as much distance between us as he’d allow. “Let’s go.”

As we neared the door, Shane opened it, playing the part of the perfect gentleman as we stepped into the onyx-lined hallway. The air here was cooler and lighter. Gabe was already there, stepping out of his room. He was a beautiful tragedy in a gray tux and a matching shirt, his diamond earrings catching the light, cold as ice.

Beside him, Lilith was a sharp contrast in a pencil-thin silver skirt. She was tucking her blouse in with a satisfied grin that told the whole story of their afternoon. Her green eyes laughed as she hooked her arm into Gabe’s.

My best friend’s eyes zeroed in on Shane’s hand, which had already found the small of my back, his fingers hot against my skin. A low vibration hummed in his chest. Gabe gave Shane a hard look that lasted a second too long to be polite.

“Let’s go!” Nikki squealed, pushing past me. I laughed as we walked down the hall.

“You look hot!” I teased over my shoulder at Gabe.

“Look who’s talking.” He smirked. Shane’s grip on my waist tightened and I faced forward.

We piled in the elevator and the space easily dwindled as we packed inside. The air turned thick with the scents of cedar, rain, sandalwood, and Lilith. Shane stood directly behind me, his body a fierce heat pressing into my back. I gasped softly as a hard, unmistakable line dug into my lower spine. I gripped the clutch tightly, staring at the closing doors as if they were a cage. Mavy and Nikki’s conversation became background noise as Lilith curled under Gabe’s arm.

The elevator chimed, and I sighed in relief as we poured out.

The lobby was a mix of excitement and lust so thick it felt like walking through sludge. Shane pulled me close, cutting the distance I’d tried to keep. When we stepped outside, a black, sleek limousine waited in the drive.

Shane stepped forward, his hand never leaving my back as he pulled the heavy door open.

“Get in, bitches!” Nikki squealed, the tension breaking just enough for us to scramble into the dark leather interior.

Lilith practically crawled over Gabe to claim the middle seat, forcing him to sit by the door, while Shane steered me into the seat directly opposite them.

He sat next to me, all dark fabric and overwhelming focus.

The limo pulled away, the citadel lights beginning to smear against the tinted windows. There was a loud pop and I jumped as it bounced off the ceiling. Nikki was pouring champagne, the bubbles hissing.

Lilith climbed on Gabe’s thighs and he pushed her back down. As glasses passed hand to hand, Nikki raised hers. “Cheers to Desert Moon.”

Everyone clinked glasses. Shane leaned back, one arm draped over the seat behind me; not touching, just present, and let out a low, easy laugh at something Nikki said. For a beat, the ink in his eyes thinned, and I almost caught a glimpse of the teenager who Mavy used to drag into the kitchen with us for midnight snacks. The one who’d once spent an afternoon showing me how to throw a punch.

That Shane, I’d liked.

The one before puberty hit and the Alpha blood pounded in his veins.

Then his eyes slid to mine, and the warmth narrowed into something hot and intent. He leaned close, until I had to tilt my head back.

“You used to do that,” he said quietly, his voice a low vibration meant only for me.

“Do what?”

“Look at me like I was worth something.” The words were said without cruelty, almost like a confession. His jaw tightened, but his gaze never left mine. “Before.”

My stomach dropped as I glanced out the window. Too much had happened. Though a part of me wondered if my mate had been there all along. I pushed it aside. The silence that followed was a door I didn’t want to open.

The hiss of the tires against the wet gravel was the only sound as the limo slowed, the engine’s purr vibrating through the floorboards before we came to a final, heavy stop.