Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I exhaled deeply, like I'd been holding that breath for days. Then I turned back to my research, steeling myself to return to the books. I was just starting to get into the right headspace when the door creaked open behind

me.

My entire body tensed as Piper stepped inside, her expression distracted, almost hesitant.

Of all the times...

The memory of our last encounter slammed into me like a train. My instincts screamed at me to bolt-just get up and leave—but my legs didn't move.

Why now?

She hadn't taken more than a few steps before her head snapped to the right-straight toward me. Our eyes locked. For a heartbeat, she froze, stunned. Then she took a step back, like she might bolt too.

But she didn't.

Instead, she squared her shoulders and disappeared among the bookshelves.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, my body sagging with relief. I considered leaving—again— but something kept me rooted. I couldn't keep running. Not from her. Not from this.

So, I stayed.

felt her return before I even saw her. She sat a few tables away, with her own stack of books. I tried to concentrate, but her

goddess decided

past was what it was. No

in the text, my thoughts drifting to her. We didn't speak, but I could feel her watching me, her eyes flickering

up and walk out when I heard the sound of a

standing right in

my head slowly

She looked... different.

in her had dimmed. She looked tired. Fragile. She'd lost weight.

But I never envied her. The only person I ever wanted

But she never acted like she was above anyone. She loved fiercely. Protected me like a sister_still remember when she beat up a boy who shoved me into a

was the Piper I

The Piper I loved.

her

her as she stood there, saying nothing,