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

in him I haven't seen before, and it makes

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

back in his chair,

tilt my head, studying

going to brush me off. But then he sighs, running a hand

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

throat. "Why didn't you say

forward,

the table.

on

one in pain. You were the

you were hurting too," I say, my voice barely

were," he says, his thumb brushing over my

was trying to make things light with his last statement, but there's something raw in his eyes, something that makes me feel like

his tone lighter now, "seeing you in my shirt kind of makes it all worth