Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 243

The rest of the visit passed in a blur of giggles and tiny hands pressed to glass enclosures. Aspen's favorites were the baby goats. She got to feed one, and when it nibbled her fingers, she laughed so hard she had to sit down.

Alec was right there beside her, brushing dirt off her knees, and I stood a few steps away, trying not to let the ache in my chest show. Trying not to let myself succumb to the desire to have this. To be a complete family.

I stared at them and witnessed the love in Aspen's eyes as she stared at her father. To Aspen, Alec belonged to her. And what scared me more than anything else was being like this. The three of us, felt right.

"She really loves him," Nyx whispered in the back of my mind.

I nodded silently.

"Do you still?"

I didn't answer and she didn't push.

We ended the day at a cozy little diner tucked between trees, with string lights hanging from the branches and outdoor seating that gave us a clear view of the sunset. Aspen was bouncing in her seat, her animals on either side of her like bodyguards.

She sat between us in the booth, her cheeks stained with chocolate ice cream. She was talking nonstop, telling Alec all about her favorite animals and how she wanted a pet goat-maybe even a "baby tiger" if it could be nice.

I watched them with my chin resting in my palm. Alec was hanging onto her every word. His eyes never strayed from her.

"I have to admit there is something hot about him watching her talk and actively listening to her," Nyx whispered, breaking me from my trance.

I was shocked. Her voice sounded so dreamy in a way I've never heard her.

"I thought you hated Alec and Knox?" I asked because, what the fuck? I was confused by the sudden change.

"I did, and so did you, but that's not stopping you from lusting after him.”

My immediate reaction was to deny everything. "I am not lusting after him! Where the hell did you even come up with that?"

My heart started racing as my mind went back to those few moments with Alec. I could deny everything. Pretend that nothing had happened. That it was all the effects of the upcoming full moon and the bond between us, but we both knew it was a lie even though I wasn't ready to admit it yet.

"I may have been missing in action, Sadie, but that doesn't mean I was not aware of what was happening," she said with a wicked smile.

I

She said, "I still don't like Knox all that much and I don't trust him, but that doesn't mean I am

"Nyx-"

off before

Sadie. Those are just emotions and they are completely normal. So, accept them, allow yourself to be truthful with yourself and then let

been fighting what I feel. I've been trying to suppress it, believing that allowing myself to feel

was busy drawing something in

I said.

smiled gently. "She's

"She is."

you're... incredible

startled me a little. "I just...

voice low and earnest.

sitting in

moon was

But here in this moment with Aspen between us and soft music humming in the background, it

It was something gentler.

It was home.

coffee, a glass of milk for Aspen and a cake cut a bite of strawberry cheesecake, holding it up to Aspen's lips. She took

feed Mister

blinked,

fed me. You should feed him too." She smiled sweetly

she was putting me in

"I

needs to have a

himself,

her little lip

you dare," I warned her with a

"Pretty please?"

determined look plastered on her face. Aspen