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.

trying to focus, but I 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

goddess decided to ruin

but I forced it down. The past was what

my thoughts drifting to her. We didn't speak, but I could feel her watching me, her eyes flickering toward me every so often like she wanted

walk out when I heard the sound of a

standing right

my head slowly until

She looked... different.

full pink lips-but the light in her had dimmed. She looked tired. Fragile. She'd lost weight. Her usual effortless glow had been

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

into privilege-Alpha's daughter, Alpha's sister, second only to her mother in power. 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

was the

The Piper I loved.

turned her back on me with barely

she stood there,