Page 15 of The Forbidden Alpha

Gabe tossed and turned next to me. “Ugh… who turned out the lights?” His arm lifted as he reached aimlessly for an imaginary lamp. I watched him, his movements clumsy.

“It’s the sun, Gabe, and you’re in my room,” I laughed.

“Remind me why we thought it would be a good idea to get hammered last night?” I asked, rubbing the tiredness from my face until my skin stung.

He grumbled something incoherent under his breath. I just knew he was being sassy.

“I’m a lightweight, Gabe. You shouldn’t have let me keep going,” I grumbled back, though a smile tugged at my lips. He was oddly silent for a moment, and I nudged him, assuming he’d drifted back to sleep. I kept nudging him until he was at the very edge of the mattress. I eyed his round butt and used my foot to deliver a final kick.

“Fuck!” he yelled as he hit the floor.

“Wake up, Gabe!” I stood over him, hands on my hips.

“Okay, okay, but why are you yelling?” he whined, rolling away from me.

“It’s time for Cinder-Ady to get up, and I can’t do anything without my trusty sidekick.”

***

I survived the morning by playing the dutiful maid—keeping my eyes glued to the floor and my hands buried in kitchen work, doing anything to stay out of Shane’s line of sight. The highlight of my day was hitching a ride with Gabe. I leaned my head against the cool window, watching the forest blur into a smear of dark green.

“Thanks again, bestie.” I was grateful for the reprieve. It was the only breath of air I was allowed before the walls closed in again.

“Hush. Anything to get a good look at fresh meat,” Gabe teased, pretending once again that his good deeds were selfish and not because he was actually helping me.

He glanced over at me, his eyes reading things I pretended not to notice. He tapped the wheel twice, working something over.

“You know what I think?” he said.

“Never,” I teased.

“I think you look better today than yesterday.” He kept his eyes on the road. “Not all the way. Like sixty percent better. Maybe sixty-two.”

“That’s oddly specific.”

“I’m an oddly specific person.” He reached over and flicked my ear. “Stop doing math about it. A vibrator might help take the edge off. Take it from me.”

“Ow! I’m going to ignore that last part. I’ve got dress shopping with the girls after. I’m off the hook for prep today.”

He rolled his eyes, throwing me a wink. “What will I do without you?” I shoved his shoulder playfully. “Send me a pic of the dresses you try out.”

As we rolled to a stop in front of the school gates, the smile on my face died. Warmth encased my hand as Gabe squeezed it, and my gaze dropped to my lap. A hot burn stung the backs of my eyes as I looked at him.

“Repeat after me. You’re a bad bitch and this school is nothing but another job.” The smile returned, and I laughed as I repeated the words.

“Good, now get going,” he huffed. I popped out of the car and waved as he sped off.

The day was a blur of survival. I kept my nose in my books, but every time a heavy set of footprints echoed behind me, my heart slammed against my ribs. I was a stray in a den of apex predators, and the Mating Festival was only a few days away.

The professors assigned weekend work, oblivious or indifferent to the fact that our lives were about to be upended by a biological ritual—that some of the students in this very room wouldn’t be claimed and bonded before Monday morning even arrived. Some wouldn’t return. Nikki popped her head into my last class just as I was walking out. We all wore the same uniform, but she looked effortless in hers. The hem hit a few inches higher than the rest of ours, a small but clear middle finger to the dress code.

“I’m here to kidnap you,” she sang, her eyes bright as she leaned against the doorframe. “I’m creating art today, and you’re my canvas.”

“As if I could forget,” I said, shifting my bag and following her out.

The walk to the parking lot came with my own personal security detail. With Nikki on one side and Mavy already waiting by the car, the air felt lighter and the shadows were distant. For once, I wasn’t a stray. I was one of them.

The air charged with electricity as we got home. Nikki and Mavy were on a mission, and I was the challenge. I barely dropped my bag on Mavy’s bed before Nikki was ushering me toward the bathroom.