Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I stay quiet, just absorbing her words. The way she said them, there was a hint of

something I just couldn't place my finger on. It's like when you've been treated so

horribly before and then find someone who treats you with real tenderness, that

it's almost unbelievable.

Yes, that's it. She sounds as if she still can't believe just how considerate and

caring Knox had been.

"Nyx," I say, drawing in a breath, "I want to ask you something and I'll completely

understand if you don't want to answer."

She shifts, all her attention on me.

"Okay. What is it?"

My heart is pounding as I think of a way to broach the subject. I can feel sweat

pool under my armpits.

"You are nervous," she observes. "Why?"

I don't respond. I'm still trying to find the right words, a gentle way of asking

without sounding too pushy.

"Come on, Sadie, just ask."

"Alright," I exhale. "Did you... did you have a mate before Knox?"

There is silence. Pure silence.

For a moment everything feels like it has been frozen in time. Like the world

around me has been suspended.

as the seconds stretch endlessly. I wait

finally hear

did," she

air I was holding rushes out of my lungs.

I have it, I don't know what or how to feel about

happened to him?" I ask,

into herself as if she is trying to shield

want to talk about it, Sadie,"

him."

voice cracks on

hear it in

isn't just a

a wound

It's something that

and she isn't

relive that pain again.

it, but I won't. I won't push her, but

happened. Did he hurt her? Or did he die? The pain she's trying to

pain that results from something

between us, heavy and uncomfortable. Soon I start getting

urge to break it.

one of your

"Which one?"

describe what I saw. It's imprinted on my mind like a

memories. It's like slowly

love. Xena loved her; that was clear to see,

the hell changed?

remember that day,"

look. "I

I didn't belong.

mother was this powerful,

untouchable force. Xena was

signs of being the

And there I was-awkward,

uncoordinated, powerless. I even