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

didn't even try to fight for

I couldn't let go of. Not the choice she made... but that she didn't hesitate to make it. That she didn't stand beside me when I needed

yet... today,

words trying to rewrite history, but with truth. A

She'd looked so broken.

always been the strong one-the protector.

the one who made me feel safe. And

me I didn't want to

Forgiveness.

yet. But the

scared the hell out of

forgiving her meant loosening the armor I'd built around my

did. Goddess,

every good memory until all I

what the hell was I supposed to

she said she missed me...

But I didn't.

there, my hands clenched in my lap, shaking with the

hadn't allowed myself to feel in those three

in silence, staring at nothing in particular