Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 260

His chin rests atop my head as he rocks me gently, his fingers stroking slow,

comforting lines down my spine.

"You're okay," he says, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

I rest my head against his shoulder with my eyes closed. We don't stay outside for long because within minutes I'm drained and all I want to do is sleep.

"Can we go back inside?" I whisper. "I'm exhausted."

"Absolutely," he answers, picking me up bridal style.

I'm surprised, but at the same time, I'm too tired to dive into the whole thing.

Inside, Alec wraps a soft blanket around me and pulls me onto his lap on the couch. His hand rests on my back, his thumb rubbing soothing circles as he rocks us both.

“I feel like this is my fault. Like you are going through this because of me," he mutters, his eyes closing briefly. "If I had just..."

"If you had just what?" I ask, my brow furrowing.

He doesn't answer, but the haunted look in his eyes is enough.

The ache inside me flares up again, this time for an entirely different reason. "Alec..."

"Don't," he says, his voice suddenly harsh. He pulls back, creating distance between us. "If you say my name like that, I'm going to forget myself."

swallow, my throat tight. "Forget

rasps, his gaze dropping to my lips. "Forget that you're not ready. Forget that you still don't trust me. Forget that if

pain of his rejection from last night stings, but hearing how much it cost him to hold back makes my

say something, anything, but no

to stop last night,” he murmurs, his voice low and gravelly. "You were in my arms, writhing

bad it's killing me. Even now, your scent is driving me

I don't understand my action. Maybe it's the moon's heat influence, but all I know is I can't let him continue thinking

I finally say. "You

head, but I can tell that he still blames himself for something that is

a long moment, we just stay like that — his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with mine, our heartbeats

pull apart just as the pain starts low, a throbbing ache that spreads

building until it

I gasp, clutching my

hand around me "Hey, hey," he murmurs, voice

gently on the bed. He pulls off the hoodie I had on before taking off his shirt. He then

he whispers, his lips against my ear.

eyes, letting his

I had to sing for her. She was holding a competition

be one

says,

warm, calming murmur.

to distract me and it works.

insides were on fire.