Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 262

The evening air was cool against my skin as I sat on the porch, wrapped in one of Alec's oversized hoodies. The material draped over my knees, its warmth comforting, carrying his scent. The forest is alive with the sounds of night - crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant howl of a lone wolf.

The cold air cooled my burning skin, giving me reprieve even if it was just for a moment. I breathe in, letting the deep breath ground me. The worst of my heat had passed, and now I just felt a dull, aching pain.

I was tired of staying indoors; the pain wasn't so bad so I thought I would come out here and just sit and relax. Feel the world around me and remind myself that I am alive. That the pain caused by the moon heat hadn't killed me.

Now that I have gone through the moon heat, I feel terrible for she-wolves. Sure, it probably isn't that bad when you have your mate mating with you, but otherwise it's terrible. We have to deal with both the moon heat and period cramps every single month. Then again, how many she-wolves can we say have met their mates but don't get mated during a full moon? My case is just special and we all know the reason for that.

The door creaks open behind me, pulling me out of my thoughts, and Alec steps out, barefoot and shirtless, his hair tousled from running his hands through it. His presence fills the space. I can't help but look up at him.

My eyes scan every inch of exposed skin. The fire is still there. Still burning. Still pushing to be satisfied. To be quenched. I acknowledge it. Acknowledge that I still crave Alec sexually, but I'm starting to feel more like myself, so that fire isn't raging. It's more like a small ember.

"You okay?" he asks, his voice a low rumble. His eyes search mine, concerned but gentle.

I don't think I'll ever get used to this side of Alec. I only used to see it from afar. Always used to wish he was directing that soft side towards me. Now that it's happening, I don't know what to do with it. I don't know how to trust it when I spent years receiving his cold, distant version.

moon hanging low and heavy in the sky. "Yeah," I say, though it feels

moment, and then he moves to sit beside me. His arm brushes mine, and even through the hoodie, I could feel the warmth of

over," he says softly, his thumb rubbing a slow

comfortable. None of us feels the need to fill the silence. We can just

I don't know what to feel.

Qu

the full moon ending, my suffering will over, but it will also mean

never felt this close to Alec. This free. This relaxed. It's a terrifying feeling, yes, but it also feels really amazing. Parts of me are eager to go back to normal, while the others just

hand shifts, moving closer to

to see Nyx," Alec mumbles, breaking the silence. "He's... worried about

in my throat, and Nyx stirs in the back of my mind, her presence stronger

voice tinged with exhaustion and longing. "Please, Sadie. I just need to be with him, to be near

me this." fo