Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 241

Sadie

The next day came sooner than I had expected or prepared for. I was still on cloud nine after shifting into our other state. It felt so good. Like I had unlocked something fierce. Something divine. After Alec left, I practiced more and each time it became easier than the last.

My mind occasionally drifted to Alec and that moment when I hugged him. That moment kept playing in my head over and over again, no matter how many times I tried to block it. It's just there. When I am not thinking about the mess with Xena and Kaden, my pack, Alec's pack or Aspen, I think of him.

Aspen's squeal brought my attention back to the present and I forced those thoughts to the back of my mind.

She was practically bouncing on the bed, kicking her tiny feet in excitement as I tried to get her into a little pink dress she'd insisted on wearing for our outing.

"Are you excited for today, sweetheart?" I asked, tying her curly hair into two neat buns.

She nodded furiously. "So excited, Mommy! Mister Alec said there'll be lions! And maybe even giraffes!"

I smiled, my heart clenching. She was glowing. Alec had told her about the zoo last night, and she hadn't stopped talking about it since. I couldn't help but feel a little flutter in my chest, knowing this day would mean something to her.

She was practically bouncing on the bed, kicking her tiny feet in excitement as I tried to get her into a little pink dress she'd insisted on wearing for our outing.

"Mommy!" she squealed, her curls flopping as she threw her hands up dramatically. "I need sparkles. All princesses have sparkles!"

I laughed, brushing her hair back and kissing her forehead. "You don't need sparkles to be a princess. You already are one."

scrunched-up, suspicious

silver butterfly clip

I might have something just

gasp nearly made me tear up. "You got me

eyes widen as I clipped them into her hair. "Now you're

twirled on the spot, arms stretched out, giggling

word hit me in

hit me

to tell her the truth. I don't understand

to reveal to her

Alec

her mind and was unknowingly treating him like her dad.

we stepped out into the hallway, Aspen holding my hand with a white cardigan barely staying on her shoulders, Alec was already waiting near the

And goddess help me.

soft gray shirt that clung a little too perfectly to his frame, and a clean shave that made his features sharper than usual. But it

my butterfly," he said with a grin,

let go of my hand and ran straight to him. "I told

whispered as he picked her up. "You look magical. Like a little

both laughed as he twirled her around in circles, and I found myself smiling -helplessly, stupidly, a little painfully. They looked... perfect together. Natural. Like this had always been their

breathe. The way she curled into his arms like she belonged there. The way