Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 265

"It's what a mate does," he says simply, his voice steady. "And it's what I wanted to do."

I meet his gaze, and the sincerity there steals my breath. For a moment, neither of us speaks. The air feels heavy, weighted with words neither of us seems ready to say.

I can't even begin to express how I am feeling or how I have felt these past few days. He has been there, both Knox and him. They helped us in ways I can't be able to understand. They didn't run. They didn't force their need on us. Instead they were patient and stayed by our side. That is something I can't get over.

Finally, Alec breaks the silence. "You slept for a while," he says, picking up his coffee and taking a slow sip. "How are you really feeling?"

I exhale, pressing my palm to my forehead. "Like I was hit by a truck. But... I don't feel like my insides are burning anymore, so that's a plus."

He nods, his jaw tightening. "I hated seeing you like that," he admits, his voice rough. “Knowing you were in pain and not being able to do anything about it..." He drags a hand through his hair, the tension returning to his shoulders. He didn't finish the sentence, but I got what he was saying.

Seeing your mate suffer and not being able to do anything about it must be a

different kind of torture. Especially for an Alpha male like Alec.

I stare at him, something heavy pressing down on my chest. There's a

I haven't seen before, and it

about you?" I ask, my voice soft. "Are

like I've surprised him, like he wasn't expecting me to ask. He leans back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the table.

tilt my head,

then he

had been so focused on me and my pain, that I didn't pay attention to him. Instead I just took all the strength from him without wondering how this was for him. Now, it made me feel

you say anything? Why would you

forward,

of the table. "Because

on

were the one in pain. You were the one hurting. I couldn't... I couldn't add

were hurting too," I say, my voice barely above a

way you were," he says, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "It was more of a case of

statement, but there's something raw in his eyes, something that makes me feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff. Before I can say anything, Alec gives

now, "seeing you in my shirt kind of makes it