Forbidden Alpha - Chapter 176

Gabe

My wolf and I hadn’t spoken much since our mate had died. He’d been quiet and I had been too busy wallowing in my own pain. I didn’t see his pain or acknowledge the fact that he’d lost his mate too. I didn’t check on him and a wave of guilt washed over me. I’d been a shitty friend to Adea and I’d neglected my wolf.

I promised myself I’d make it up to Felix when we got back to the packhouse. He loved these runs even more than I did, I would make them a priority. We would never get over Olivia but I hoped he could speak to me if he needed to. I would be better, I wouldn’t be that friend who put their feelings before those important to them.

The chilly air pulled me from my thoughts for a few moments. It felt amazing, my cheeks were cold, and my eyes were dry. The sun was starting to peek over the horizon and cast shadows along the territory. It wasn’t hot yet and the early morning cold air froze all of my worries and anxieties.

Felix made his way along the border, his eyes trailing from all of the open areas of the land to the dark shadowy parts. I didn’t keep track of time but I could tell hours passed. The air grew warmer and the city began to get busy. Felix turned around and we headed back to the packhouse.

My heart sank, it was over as soon as it had started. If I didn’t have Ady, I think I would seriously consider living in my wolf’s skin for a few months. It was frowned upon and lone wolves were considered rogues. It didn’t make me want to do it any less but with Ady in my life, I wouldn’t leave her. I had a job, too.

I pushed back the thoughts of Odis that were already resurfacing. Felix lowered his head, we were low to the ground as he pushed harder against the wind. I would just focus on Ady, her recovery, and being there for her. She’d been injured pretty badly but her wolf had been working hard on healing her.

Felix and Korra never ran together either. Maybe I’d ask Ady if she wanted to go on a run sometime. We’d take Leo with us too since Felix and Brutus got along. As the packhouse came into view, I readied myself for reality. I’d have to do what I said I would, I’d get my shit together and put on my big boy pants.

As we came to a stop, Felix whined before saying goodbye to Brutus. Brutus wagged his tail and once again, I was happy Felix had found a friend. Pulling myself from the backseat, I regained control and thanked Felix. I shifted back into my body.

I stood naked in front of the packhouse but I didn’t try to cover myself. We were pack members and it was normal for us to see each other naked. Leo was quiet behind me as I made my way towards my shorts. I didn’t glance back at him, I knew if I looked, I might give him the wrong idea.

What if we gave him the wrong idea, Gabe?

I knew there wouldn’t be anything wrong with that. There shouldn’t be a problem with him getting the wrong idea. Hadn’t I told Ady that I was going to get back out there? Yet here I was trying to stop a hunk from “getting the wrong idea”? I shook my head. I’d let myself think that. Even though deep down, I knew as much as Felix knew, I didn’t want to give him the wrong idea because of a certain someone.

Bending down, Leo whistled as I grabbed my shorts by the front door. I couldn’t help but smirk. I rolled my eyes as I stepped into the piece of clothing. Leo would have had to walk into the packhouse butt naked but I’d fought him on it. I don’t understand why he made it such a big deal.

The only reason would be that he wanted me to get a good look. Thankfully though, I’d won the argument, and Leo was forced to grab a pair of shorts on our way down this morning. I stared at him victoriously as he pulled them over his ass. He let his junk hang for a moment before he tucked it in and I shook my head.

It was his turn to smirk and he laughed as I gave him the middle finger. It didn’t matter that we were shirtless and weren’t wearing any shoes. Our naughty bits were covered and he wasn’t bad company when he kept his mouth closed.

I thought that would have been enough, there was no reason it wouldn’t be. As we walked into the living room, I was almost too slow to stop my jaw from dropping as we came face to face with Odis. Leo had thrown his arm around my shoulder and decided to open his mouth for the first time since we’d shifted back. He cracked a joke about me staring at his junk.

Averting my eyes, I avoided Odis’s gaze as we walked through the living room. Leo didn’t greet him, he straight up ignored him as we passed him and I wasn’t sure if he did it on purpose or if he really didn’t see him. I don’t know why he was there that early but it wasn’t any of my business. I wasn’t going to try and explain myself either. We weren’t even talking and he’d made himself perfectly clear, hadn’t he?

I held my breath as we headed towards the elevator. We didn’t have time for breakfast since we’d gone for a run. Thankfully, we wouldn’t be going to train so eating breakfast for energy wasn’t a priority.

***

A scream brought me back to the present. I sighed as I leaned back on the grass. My eyes scanned the group before landing on Briana. Adea and I both watched as she broke her opponent’s nose.. He threw his hands up and stepped back, he was forfeiting.