Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 269

Alec gives a thoughtful hum. "That's why you kept your distance from the other packs."

"Yep," I say. "It was safer that way. For me, for my people, for our goals."

"But what about now?" he asks. "You're not the same woman you were when you started all this. You've got power now. Enough to deal with the council if they tried anything."

I look at him sideways, smirking. "Are you trying to incite me against the council?"

He puts a hand to his chest in mock offense. "Me? I would never do such a thing."

I laugh, the sound surprising even me. It feels good to laugh. Especially when I thought back to how just a few hours ago, I was ready to punch him in the throat over Lola.

"Hold that thought," I say, brushing his arm as we continued walking. "First, I need to help your pack. Then maybe I'll take on the council."

I couldn't stop the thought, though. Maybe with my powers I could change up some things. Maybe it was time for women to have positions in power.

Do you know there has never been a woman in the alpha position? Even if she was born to alpha parents and was the only child. The title of Alpha wouldn't be given to her. It's tradition in all packs that in such a situation, they'll wait for the woman to find her mate, and when they mated and marked each other, the title of Alpha would be given to her mate instead of her.

I find it ironic that wolves don't give women positions of power and yet they worship Selene, who is infact a WOMAN. It's completely insane. You'd think that women would be the ones leading.

We walk side by side, the trees thinning as the path gives way to familiar trails. Before I realize it, we are stepping onto Pack territory.

We were just passing the training fields when a shriek pierced the air.

"Mommy!" she screams. "You are back. I missed you."

Aspen launches herself at me, arms

her with a grunt and hug her tight, while Alec supports my back so that I don't fall. I was still

before leaning over and planting one

missed you

he ruffles her

a leaf out of her

and Jason. And I played with the kids and I ate all my vegetables, even the green beans I don't

I say. "Sounds like you've had a full

twinkle. "Did you go

I say

and me, suddenly curious. "Were you with

to her. I don't know

I reply honestly. "I was with

for a second, then grins and nods like it

was again. That emotion in her eyes. Maybe it was time to tell her the truth, because something tells me that if I don't, she'll

leaps from my arms into Alec's, making him laugh again as he

taughter rings through the air, light and contagious. But something tugs at my

I call gently, once Alec stops, "you didn't mention

"No. I asked Martha. I wanted to play tea with Aunt Raven,

My heart skips.

like Raven. At

stiffen, trying to keep my face neutral for Aspen's sake. But my mind is already racing. It's been three days. She doesn't usually stay gone for that long. Especially without communication. She understands the full moon, so she would have left a message for

close my eyes and take a breath, centering