Page 38 of The Forbidden Alpha

“They cannot,” Ethan growled, the sound vibrating through his chest and into my own. “But they will try to use the law to see him leave here free of punishment. They want to see you. They will ask you to recount last night’s events.”

He pulled his hand from my chin, only to reach back and smooth a stray hair behind my ear. His touch was surprisingly tender for a man who looked ready to kill.

“After you’ve eaten, I’m going to take you to the council room. You’ll have to show them what he’s done to you.” My hand flew to the bruise on my neck. “And then I’ll remind them why I am the King of this territory.”

I wrapped my arm across my waist, the shame of my secret making my shoulders hunch. “I don’t have a wolf, Ethan. I’m nothing without one. I’ll only make you look weak.”

Ethan stopped, his hand tightening on my waist. “You survived without a wolf to snap back at him—that’s a different kind of strength. And you’re my mate. If these old men have a problem with that, that’s the only thing they need to keep in mind when they address you.” His hand encased mine in warmth as he finally led me toward the door.

“Someone is waiting in the hall. He’s been there all night.”

With that, he took hold of my hand again, and led me out of the sanctuary of the bedroom and into the hall, where Gabe stood.

He was leaning against the opposite wall, looking like he’d aged overnight. His eyes were bloodshot, his gray tuxedo replaced by rumpled clothes, and the sight of him made a knot of guilt tighten in my chest.

I knew he’d been spending time with Olivia—the bond pull was unmistakable—but he’d pushed it down the moment he realized I was in trouble.

He pushed off the wall, rushing toward me. “Ady? Are you okay? I didn’t know if I should—”

He didn’t get to finish as he wrapped his arms around me. Instantly, the air in the hallway curdled. A low, menacing rumble vibrated through the floorboards, and every hair on my body rose in warning.

I felt the vibration in his chest against my back before I even saw his face. I looked back to see Ethan’s eyes fixed on Gabe’s hands, his pupils blown wide until the green was almost swallowed by black. He wasn’t looking at my friend; he was measuring how to kill him.

Gabe froze, his eyes widening as he immediately lifted his palms in the air and stepped back. Ethan cracked his neck, his jaw set in a hard line as he fought for restraint.

“I have just found my mate,” Ethan said, his voice a deep warning. “Don’t touch what’s mine.”

“My apologies, Alpha,” Gabe said, bowing his head, though his eyes remained on me. His gaze traveled down my body. “I haven’t seen her since… I was thankful she was okay.”

“He’s my friend, Ethan,” I mumbled, slowly leaning back until my spine hit the solid muscle of Ethan’s chest. “And the only family I have.”

Ethan didn’t answer. He simply tucked his head low, his breath hot against the column of my neck, right beside the bruise Shane had left. “We’re headed to breakfast,” he told Gabe, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I reached out and squeezed his hand. “We’ll catch up later.”

“Report to your Alpha,” Ethan commanded. “Tell him she is under Desert Moon’s protection, and he has until I get down there to remember whose territory he stands on.”

Gabe nodded, the tension in his shoulders dropping slightly. He gave me one last lingering look—part relief, part apology—before turning toward the elevator at the end of the hall. He disappeared behind a set of doors. Ethan remained still, his gaze fixed on the empty hallway until the hum of the elevator faded into silence.

He didn’t loosen his grip on my hand, but the crushing tension in his shoulders began to bleed away as the hallway opened up, the air growing warmer as we approached the terrace. Behind us, the weight of Shane and the looming Table remained, but ahead, the scent of something heavenly sweet began to drift through the air. I didn’t know what the day would hold, but as we stepped into the light, I realized I wasn’t walking into it alone.

Chapter 21

“My Gamma has been fussing over the menu since dawn,” Ethan murmured, his voice losing its gravelly edge. “I had the owner of The Sweet Note bring the kitchen to us. A favorite in town.”

We stepped through a pair of arched oak doors onto a sun-drenched terrace nook that smelled of buttery goodness and expensive espresso. Two people stood by a side table, lost in their own little world.

These were the King’s people.

Standing ram-rod straight by the stone railing was the Beta I met when I arrived with Gabe. He looked more relaxed today, but no less intimidating in a three-piece suit. His blond hair was slicked back with military precision, and his corded arms were crossed over his chest. He stood with a dry, practiced stillness—bored and lethal all at once.

Beside him, a woman with midnight hair tucked into a messy bun was meticulously arranging waffles on a silver platter. Stray strands framed a face far too innocent for a third in command.

They both looked up as we entered. The air shifted as her eyes landed on me. Her face transformed from irritation to pure warmth. She clapped her hands together as she moved toward me.

She stopped just short of a hug, sensing my hesitation, and gave a bright smile. “Good morning. Oh right—we haven’t officially met yet. I’m Olivia.”

Her eyes dropped to my neck and there was a flash of fury before it smoothed into something sly and pleased.