Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

"I'm not trying to win you back because of Calvin," she said, her voice steadier now. "I'm here because I miss you, Sadie. I miss my best friend."

And then, just like that, she turned and walked away-rushing out of the library before I could even respond.

She hadn't waited for forgiveness.

Just like she hadn't expected it.

I stared at the door long after Piper had left, my mind spinning, my chest tight with something I didn't want to name.

She said she was sorry.

The words echoed in my head over and over, like they were trying to find a place to settle-but there was no space left inside me that didn't already ache.

I wasn't expecting that. Not today. Not like that. No defenses, no excuses, no clever manipulation. Just... guilt. Pain. Raw and real and pouring out of her like she'd been carrying it for as long as I'd carried my anger.

And that was what scared me most.

Because it wasn't just that she apologized.

It was that I believed her.

That pang in my chest hadn't been pity-it was recognition. A memory of who we used to be. Of sleepovers and secrets whispered in the dark. Of laughing until we cried and making stupid promises to never let anything come between us.

We were a team. The kind of bond that was supposed to last forever. But forever had shattered the moment she believed I could betray her.

abandonment-cut deeper than anything else that

try to

of. Not the choice she made... but that she didn't hesitate to make it. That she didn't stand beside

yet... today, she

truth. A truth I

She'd looked so broken.

the strong one-the protector. Even

was the one who made me feel safe. And seeing her like that? Fragile.

stirred something in me I didn't

Forgiveness.

full. Not yet. But the seed

scared the hell out

meant loosening the armor I'd built around my heart. Forgiving her meant that I had

I did. Goddess, I

spent three years turning that love into rage. I'd poured gasoline on every good memory until all I had left was ash.

what the hell was I supposed to

the moment she said she missed me...

But I didn't.

hands clenched in my lap, shaking with

allowed myself to feel in those three

in silence, staring at nothing in particular and heard a voice inside