Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

"You love being outside, right?" I began and waited for her to nod her head. When she does, I continue. "How would you feel if I locked you inside the house and refused to let you out?"

She thought about it for a second, a cute little frown appearing between her brows. "Very bad."

"Would it make you happy being inside all the time?"

"No."

"That's the same with this pretty butterfly. It loves being outside where it can fly around. If you lock it inside, it will be very, very sad. It won't even want to eat or play with you. Is that what you want?"

She looked at me and then at the butterfly in her hand. Tears sprang to her eyes as she answered. "I don't want her to be sad. I want her to be happy, like me."

I smiled at her while running my finger down her cheek. "Then you have to set it free. Play with it outside, chase it, but don't catch it. You also don't want to hurt its wings, do you? Look at how weak they are."

"I don't want to hurt her wings." Her tears are long gone as what I said finally sinks in. "I'll let it go now."

to say anything else, just skips away before lifting her hands in the air and letting the butterfly

stood up and stretched. My

when Alec was around, but with

I feel him on my back

stretches between us. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it also wasn't

see him during breakfast even though scanned for him. Which is just ridiculous if you ask me. Why? Why now? I thought I had move on. I had destroyed the love I felt for him. Now, though, feelings I thought I'd

his voice a deep rumble that sent

that's so

So free," he whispered. "I can't

missed three years of

time I couldn't

He faced forward.

but even without seeing his face, I could hear the regret in his voice. I

in