Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 258

"You've got it all wrong," he murmurs, his voice breaking.

I blink, the words not quite registering.

"I want you," Alec says, his eyes burning into mine. "God, Sadie. I want you so badly it's killing me." His thumb brushed along my jaw, a soft, reverent touch. "But not like this."

My chest tightens. "Why not?"

“Because if I take you now, you'll think it's just the moon heat," he says, his voice thick. "You'll think that's the only reason I want you."

I shake my head, but Alec's thumb presses against my lips, silencing me.

"If we do this now," he continues, his voice rough, "it'll feel good-so good-but when the heat passes, you'll think it was just that. Just heat. Just instinct." He swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing. "And you'll regret it. And I can't. I won't let you regret something that should be special."

My breath hitches. The weight of his words pressing down on me, and it feels like my heart is being squeezed.

I am so confused. Do I dare to believe his words? To believe that that's the only reason he isn't buried deep inside me right now and not because he is still in love with Lola?

I don't have time to think much of it because a sharp, stabbing pain explodes in my belly, and I gasp, doubling over. My arms wrap around my stomach, and my knees buckle.

"Sadie!" Alec is there in an instant, catching me before I hit the ground. "What's wrong? What is it?"

breathe. The pain is like fire, scorching through my veins, burning me

I whimper internally. "What's

heat. Our mate is supposed to mate us. Without that, the pain

wave of agony tears through me, and I cry out, clutching Alec's arms as he lifts

he murmurs, voice tight with worry. "I've got

solid, steady anchor against the pain. By the time he stops, I am barely conscious, my

the door open and carries me inside. He lays me on a couch, his

he

am too far gone to respond. Every inch of me is aflame. My skin feels too

I can barely keep my eyes

mate. All I want

1.n

up again, carrying me into the bathroom. The tub is half-filled with cold water, and he steps inside, pulling me into his lap. The water sloshes around us as he positions me between his legs, my back

whispers, his arms wrapping around me. "I've got

I sag against

his lips grazing my temple. "Just

as another wave of

you remember that time you stole Piper's ice cream

a weak laugh escapes