Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 261

Alec

The cold-water rushes over me, icy rivulets cascading down my skin as I brace my hands against the shower wall. My breaths come in sharp, ragged bursts, each one echoing against the tile. My muscles tense beneath the freezing spray, and yet it does little to quell the fire raging inside me.

I squeeze my eyes shut, the water stinging my skin as I drop my head, letting it pummel the back of my neck. It's not enough. Nothing is enough.

The scent of her clings to me, even now. It's embedded in my skin, threaded through every breath, every heartbeat. Sadie. Her soft whimpers, the way her body arched against mine, her mouth forming my name on a trembling gasp. And now she's in the other room, curled up in that bed, her body wracked with the heat

I can't take away.

Knox growls in my mind, pacing restlessly. "They are in pain."

I know. Goddess, do I know.

I grip the back of my neck, fingers digging in as if I can scrub away the feeling of her pressed against me. The memory of her slick warmth against me is a brand I can't erase, and it's driving me out of my mind.

She wanted me. Begged for me. And I had to pull away. I had to be the one to stop it.

I can still hear the echo of her voice, broken and raw.

"You don't want me. You still love Lola."

A shudder wracks through me, the ache in my chest intensifying. I still can't believe that she believes I still love Lola. Can you imagine that? Yet can I blame her for believing that I didn't want her because I still loved Lola?

I know there were rumors about me and Lola three years ago. I do admit that I mated Lola during her heat; that is true. what is not true is the intensity of it. It wasn't so intense. It wasn't anything but normal.

That should have been another sign that something was wrong. That She wasn't who I thought she was. That she wasn't my mate.

I ignored so many red flags about her and our so-called relationship.

stupid? How could I allow myself to drown so much in a woman that I ended

something other than the desire tearing me apart. I drop my head against the wall, the cool tile against my forehead a stark contrast to

really were

I whisper, my

to expect," Knox says. "We

"Or deep down we knew but we

as I stand there, head bowed, heart thundering. It takes everything in

my waist. My reflection in the mirror is a stranger- wild and tired eyes, hair plastered to my skull, jaw clenched tight enough to

it over my head, not bothering to dry off. The wet fabric clings to my skin as I step back into the

tangled in the sheets, her brow furrowed even in sleep. My heart twists painfully. She's still suffering. Even in

into bed and pulling her against me. She makes a soft sound, instinctively burrowing into my chest, her face pressing into the crook of my neck. The feel of

into my veins. The need

take her, not when I know deep down this isn't what she wants. When

it weren't for the heat, she wouldn't want

I reach out to

presence is a heavy, frustrated weight

"How's Nyx?"

strained. "Not good.

squeeze my eyes shut, my hold on Sadie tightening.

before he says, "Nyx is feeling the brunt of it. Their heat is amplified through her, and she's bearing most of

grit my teeth, throat tight. "When Sadie wakes

that'll help.

through the bond.

my lips to Sadie's temple, the scent of her sweat and tears mixing with her natural sweetness. She's shaking slightly, even in