Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I walked into my room and immediately went to the bathroom to take yet another shower. This one, unlike the previous one, was quick. I was hoping that I could wash away Alec's burning stare and the dirt that came with dragging a hybrid through the forest. I managed to wash the dirt away, but not his burning gaze. One that followed me all the way back into the packhouse.

Once done, I changed into my pajamas, noting that I had discarded another pair right before I shifted.

I got into bed, careful not to disturb or wake up Aspen before settling in. I thought that I would struggle to find sleep like I did just a few hours ago. I was wrong, though. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was off. It took less than five minutes for me to fall into the dark abyss of sleep.

***

I was in the garden chasing after a butterfly. It was so pretty, and I just wanted to study it. I was laughing, turning around in circles, my small bare feet on the soft, lush grass underneath me.

It kept circling me before landing on the tip of my nose.

I couldn't stop the giggle that left my lips. It was so ticklish, but it also made me happy that it chose to land on my nose. I didn't want to scare it away. Like I said, I just wanted to touch it and know how it feels to have the colorful creature on my palm.

I slowly stretched out my hand, ready to catch it. The anticipation was killing me, but it also brought a sense of excitement.

I was just about to catch it; I was so close when, from nowhere, someone screamed my name.

The butterfly flies away, and I immediately deflate like a punctured balloon.

I turn in annoyance. "Why did you do that?"

"Do what?" she asks, looking at me in confusion.

"You scared the butterfly away. I wanted to feel its soft wings." My irritation was evident, even as I scowled at the girl who seemed to be my age.

She rolled her eyes at me as if she had just heard the stupidest thing. "We are eleven. When are you going to stop this childishness?"

bubbled to the surface. She had this air of superiority, and I was beginning to hate it. I balled my fist, trying to stop myself from doing anything that would hurt our relationship or cause our mother to

feeling

be focused on training and here you are

"I said stop it!"

and maybe I'll stop." Calling me stupid triggers me, making my anger bubble out. I rushed over to her and pushed her. It was all so perfect in

imagined, though. She doesn't move an inch. With her hands folded

to me. What kind of leader will you be when you can't even

and hurt takes its place. I try to fight it, but I can't. My eyes start filling with tears and my shoulders shake

has always been stronger. She has always been more elegant than I am. She is

way I never could, no matter how many lessons in elegance t had. We haven't been given ou crowns yet, but

Helie

the making.

crown on her

right,

garden among the flowers and

as her expression changes.

patting my back. "I didn't mean

wanted to. Not when my

says. Her eyes are on mine and her hands hold my upper arms. "I

from echoing in my head like a broken record. They hurt, and the more my mind plays them,

demands in a soft voice and I oblige. That's the kind of power she has.

she repeats, her

pain, something warm enveloped me. I sniffed before muttering. "I love you