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."

my throat

you still don't trust me. Forget that if I give in, you might hate me

through me, sharp and unyielding, and my chest tightens. The pain of his rejection from last night stings, but hearing how much it cost him to hold back makes my heart ache

speak, to say something, anything, but no words

back of my neck, his thumb tracing along my jaw. "You don't know how hard it was to stop last night,” he murmurs, his voice low and gravelly. "You were in my arms, writhing against me, begging me to take you. And all I wanted — all

Sadie. I want you so bad it's killing me. Even now, your scent is driving me nuts. But I

his cheek. I don't understand my action. Maybe it's the moon's heat influence, but all

say. "You shouldn't

I can tell that he still blames himself for something that

stay like that — his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with mine, our heartbeats

pain starts low, a throbbing ache that spreads

and radiates outward, building until it feels like

I gasp, clutching my

he murmurs, voice

me down gently on the bed. He pulls off the hoodie I had on before taking

his lips

my eyes, letting his voice wash

check on Aspen. I had to sing for her. She was holding a competition and

me to be one of

says, his

warm, calming murmur.

he's trying to distract me and it

insides were on fire.