Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 233

Sadie.

Everything ached.

My limbs, my head, my heart.

Even with the quiet of the night, the silence wasn't comforting-it was heavy. Like the world was holding its breath and waiting for something terrible to happen. And somehow, I was the only one who could feel it.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled sharply. made my way to the bathroom. I padded toward the bathroom, stripping off my clothes along the way and letting them fall to the floor. I turned towards the mirror and it reflected a version of myself that barely felt like me-dark circles beneath my eyes, tension etched into my brow, my mouth a thin, tired line.

I turned away from my reflection and walked into the shower. The moment I turned on the shower and stepped beneath the stream of hot water, a sigh escaped me. I leaned against the tiled wall, eyes closing as the water rolled down my back, trying to wash away the weight of everything we had uncovered and ease the tension from my shoulders.

My thoughts tangled as I stood there, motionless.

What if we were wrong?

What if we weren't wrong?

kind of war

prepared us for dealing with all these, yet we had no option. We can't let Xena succeed in freeing Kaden. Something told me that if that happened, there would

come from nowhere. It comes from betrayal. From loss.

didn't feel too heavy. When I finally stepped out, I dried off, ran my fingers through my damp hair, and made my way into the closet. My fingers hovered over my clothes before settling on a soft pair of

already curled into a ball on my bed, her small chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep. I slipped in beside her, careful not to jostle her too much, and pulled her into my arms. She murmured something unintelligible in her sleep

kissed her forehead. She was the one piece of peace I had left

door made me lift

that I smelled him.

I said quietly, not

the sheepish look on his face made my heart flutter in a way I absolutely did not want

room made him hesitate.

not really sure what to say.

most

goodnight to Aspen," he said, his voice low. "But I

had

"So did you."