Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I stare at them, my mind racing at seeing them like this, the new discovery about

Nyx temporarily forgotten. Aspen is chatting away like she's known Alec her whole life. I can't hear anything because my ears are ringing, but I can tell she's probably entertaining him with stories of her adventure.

Alec, on the other hand, has his whole focus on her. He stares at her like she's the most precious gift in the world. He stares at her like she's the most important person in his life.

Pack members, just like me, are staring at them in awe and a little bit of shock. Their eyes darting back and forth between the duo.

They seem to be lost in their own little world, though, because they don't seem to notice it or care. The rest of us don't exist.

Aspen curls her arms around his neck, right before pecking his cheek and laying her head on his shoulder.

Seeing this, all strength leaves me and I fall against the door frame just to support my own weight. Something dark and ugly swells inside me. I hate seeing them like this. I hate seeing Aspen so comfortable with him. Especially knowing that Alec had almost ended her life.

She looks so happy being in his arms. They both do.

My heart starts to pound seeing this. Seeing how natural they are holding on to each other like their lives depend on it.

Jealousy starts raising its ugly head the more I stare at them. I've never been jealous but I am now. I'm jealous of seeing my daughter in the arms of her father.

I want to stomp over there and rip her from his arms. I start to move my legs, but all of a sudden, I stop when Aspen's joyous giggle stops me in my tracks.

It's so innocent, so full of happiness that it makes my heart ache. She's smiling, all her pearly whites on display as she stares at her dad. Even from this distance, I can tell how relaxed she is. I can tell how comfortable and delighted she is being in Alec's arms.

I fight against myself, forcing myself to stay put.

How can I take her from him and burst the bubble she is in right now? What kind of mother would I be if I put my own resentment before the happiness of my daughter?

It's a struggle to tame the beast inside me. A kind of darkness that demands to get my daughter because Alec doesn't deserve to hold her, let alone be in the same breathing space as her.

eyes, I take a deep breath. I think of everything and anything good, pushing away

voice brings me from

I plaster a smile on before

but to grab

my focus on

life I see fear in his eyes. It's like he is afraid I am about to take Aspen away. It's accompanied closely

almost stumble when I see it. His eyes are pleading, begging me not

him my whole life and never once have I seen these emotions in his eyes. He is usually stoic,

whisper once I get

there awkwardly. To kiss her means I have to bend to reach her and that would put me in Alec's personal space. I didn't want that, but did I

bend down, push my hair away from my face, and kiss

is stronger. It's deeper, richer and

close my eyes for a brief second before pulling away. Pulling away

why is it that, since I woke up, I haven't been able to

Aspen informs me,

here," she finishes while

why she isn't feeling sad anymore. The bond between her and Alec has settled in its rightful

Ash," I murmur, my eyes shifting between them while I fumble

wish I could just take her and leave. This is so damn awkward that I feel

have kissed his boo-boo," she says happily, clapping

gently.

her voice brimming with

"Because-because-"

what was I supposed to

chuckles all around us, as I stumble over my words.

see Alec's lips curling up in a small

on, baby. Get