Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 266

The silence that followed breakfast wasn't awkward-it was peaceful, like the quiet that came after a long, devastating storm. The kind of silence that didn't demand to be filled. Alec sat across from me, chewing slowly, eyes occasionally flicking in my direction. I caught him once, and he looked away, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

When we both finished eating, he stood and gathered the plates, heading toward the sink. I followed without thinking, scooping up the cups and setting them beside him before switching on the tap.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asks, his voice low but with a familiar gruffness that held no real irritation-only disbelief.

I turn to find him staring at me, a deep crease between his brows. I am confused because it was obvious what I was doing. It didn't take a genius to figure out I was about to wash the dishes.

"Washing the dishes?" I reply.

He scowls. "Sadie, sit your ass down. You just came off three days of moon heat, and your legs barely work. You shouldn't be doing chores."

I roll my eyes and turn back to the sink. “I'm fine, Alec. I can handle it. You made breakfast, so it's only fair I clean up after."

"You're being stubborn."

"No, I am not."

"Yes, you are."

Goddess, why the hell were we arguing like little children?

"You're being bossy," I shoot back with a smirk. "Now are you going to help me rinse these or just stand there pouting?"

argue further, but eventually he exhales and picks up a towel. "Fine. But you're not

and roll my eyes at him. He is being so overprotective as if washing the

about it, the way our shoulders brush every so often, the way his fingers

are supposed to be. Like this was

minute, keeping my tone casual,

pauses before responding, the sound of water running over the

Definitely. I didn't expect this to be his. Maybe a friend or something. I never would have

at him.

nods. "Built it three years

I thought I knew everything about you. How

had a secret escape cabin

his neck, sheepishly. "Didn't exactly advertise

really curious now. "Why

shoulders stiffened slightly. "Because I built it for my mate.

ours. Somewhere quiet. Private. No one else would know about

freeze, fingers

my hand, as the impact of his words settles inside me. I suddenly come crashing down from the cloud nine I

slowly, my voice above a whisper, "you built it for

silence stretches. Long. Heavy. Do I really need a confirmation when his silence speaks volumes? Who else would he have built it

her name on my lips, leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

slightly to look at him. "Did she ever come here? Did she ever