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.

to concentrate, but her presence was like static in my mind— disruptive and impossible to

goddess decided to ruin

to rise, but I forced it down. The past was

minutes crawled by. I kept losing my place in the text, my thoughts drifting to her. We didn't speak, but I could feel her watching me, her eyes flickering toward

to give up and walk out when I heard the sound of a chair

right in

raised my head slowly until our

She looked... different.

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

went. But I never envied her. The only person I ever wanted to impress

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 me into a pond because I wouldn't give him my lollipop.

was the Piper

The Piper I loved.

yet, somehow, that same girl turned her back on

studied her as she stood