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."

hands in the air and letting the butterfly go. I watched as she continued chasing after them with a huge

to make sure she didn't go too far, I stood up and stretched. My ass was going

before I even see him. I used to know when Alec was around, but with the bond now

even when I feel him on my back or when

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

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.

me, his

"Well, that's so

free," he whispered. "I

That I missed three

time I couldn't

him. He faced forward.

hear the regret in his voice. I could

that to hurt him without realizing he was already hurting. There was no use in beating down a man who was already beating himself down. I was basically kicking a man when he was already