Quite often
Adea
The reality of my situation and where I am floods back in. That was the sad thing about being happy. It doesn’t last forever and when it’s gone, everything else comes crashing down on you threatening to squash you beneath the pressure. Gabriel’s bright smile falters at the look on my face and his eyes saddened. I took a deep breath to steady myself and forced a smile back on my face. He stepped out of Odis’ hold and toward me.
“Is there anything I can do?” Gabriel asked.
Unsure of how to answer I glanced behind Gabriel at Odis. He lifted his chin and stared at me. Odis may feel strongly for Gabriel, but that doesn’t carry over to me. What he feels for me, if anything, would be duty. The string that tied Odis to me was fragile and hadn’t been strengthened. I was his Luna, but I was still an outsider. He was the Beta of Crimson Moon, his alpha’s second in command, and loyal to Ethan.
It wouldn’t be wise for me to carry on a conversation about escaping in his presence. Escaping may not even be a possibility, but I wouldn’t be fair to myself if I didn’t try. I wanted nothing more than to be free of this hell. As much as I wanted freedom I knew better. The chances of actually breaking free of the chains that bound me to Ethan weren’t great. It would take more than wanting and wishing to get me out of here.
Gabriel led me by the hand to the nearest crate. He turned from me and pried it open and I looked into it as he turned to another. It was stuffed to the brim with dresses. I peered over at the other crate and it was filled with shoes.
“Do you come here often?” I asked.
Gabriel winked at me and glanced back to Odis.
“Quite often,” he teased.
“Ew,” I said. My nose wrinkled at the meaning behind the joke. “Not what I meant in the least.”
“Thanks to my skill with needle and thread I’m invited to the grandest events of the year. I was also able to hire a hand to help meet demands. It was a lot to take in a first, but I’ve got a system in place now. Despite being stressful, there are a lot of benefits. Traveling proves useful when I have a non conventional lover.
I turned to look at Odis and found him looking at me. There’s a protective look in his eyes that differs from the one I saw this morning in my room. I Like it. It means he thinks more of Gabriel. My first friend other than him. My throat starts to dry at the thought of him and I refuse to start crying again.
“Have you been to an Alpha’s meeting before?” I asked.
“No, I have not,” Gabriel said. “I’ll never be able to walk in on the Beta’s arm. That is one event I cannot attend.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.
“Don’t be. I’m not and it’s the way of the world,” Gabriel sighed as he waved his hand in the air.
“Well.. for you.. I wish it were different,” I said honestly. Gabriel stopped and hopped onto one of the closed crates. He looked at me and smiled, but there was a sadness in them. And my heart broke for him.
“I appreciate that Luna,” he said.
“Please, call me Adea,” I said.
“I wouldn’t da—”
“Please. I insist. It’s what my friends call me,” I said. Gabriel smiled for real this time, one corner of his lip pulling higher than the other.
“Yes, Adea,” Gabriel said. I could hear the smile in his tone and I couldn’t help but smile back at him. Gabriel turned to the Beta.
“Can you step out for a minute?” Gabriel asked.
Odis searches his eyes for something, what he does or doesn’t find there must be enough for him to agree. In the next second he bows to me and the two of us watch as he turns and walks towards the door. He opens it and when it closes shut behind him Gabriel turns to me with a serious look on his face.
“I had to check on you. I was thankful Odis reached out to me to make your dress. Did I make a mistake by coming here? Have you decided to accept your situation?” Gabriel asked.
“No, you didn’t make a mistake. I’m glad you came. I have no friends within these walls. I have no accepted my situation. I still want freedom and out of this arrangement as badly as I did the day I saw you last,” I said.
“Thank the Goddess,” Gabriel prayed. “You still want my help?”
“Why are you doing this? Why risk yourself? Not many would do what you are attempting to do, what you’ve offered to do,” I said.
“Do you still want my help?” Gabriel repeated.
“Desperately,” I choked.
“Sh, sh,” Gabriel soothed.
“Sorry. I’ve cried enough today,” I whispered.
“Do I need more of a reason than that? My friend has asked for help and I fully intend on doing something about it,” Gabriel said.
“Thank you,” I breathed.
“What’s the plan, Adea?” Gabriel asked. His eyes darted towards the door.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Time is of the essence. Odis won’t stay out there for long. How do you plan to escape. You must have something in mind. Share it with me and I’ll see if it’s doable or if we will need to figure out another course of action,” Gabriel said.
“I honestly do not,” I laughed.
The silliness of the situation finally hitting me. Just moments before I had thoughts of escaping, but had no idea how to, and no inkling of where to start. Gabriel and I stare at each other in silence. He blinks once, twice before he bursts into laughter and I follow. When we’re done he reaches out and touches my hand.
“Don’t worry. We’ll come up with something together,” he said.
“What about Odis? Won’t he be a problem?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about him,” Gabriel said.
“How can I not? I doubt he’ll sit outside every time we want to talk.”
“Although true, you have bigger things to worry about. Leave Odis to me,” Gabriel said with a wink.
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