Originally , Gabriel was interested in Vivian before he became alpha .
Vivian unintentionally declares herself his mate and equal when Vivian defends Vivian 's mother from Astrid during the ritual of the Bitches Dance ( the counterpart to the Ordeal by which Gabriel becomes alpha ) .
Originally , Gabriel was interested in Vivian before he became alpha and Vivian unintentionally declares herself his mate and equal when she defends her mother from Astrid during the ritual of the Bitches Dance ( the counterpart to the Ordeal by which Gabriel becomes alpha ) .