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.

wait, barely breathing, as the seconds stretch endlessly.

before I finally hear

I did," she

was holding rushes out of my lungs. I wanted confirmation

know what or how

happened to him?"

if she is trying

want to talk about it, Sadie," she whispers.

him."

voice cracks on the last

hear it in

heartbreak. This isn't just

It's a wound

from. It's something that

her and she isn't

relive that pain again.

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

happened. Did he hurt her? Or did he die?

results from

between us, heavy and uncomfortable. Soon

urge to break it.

saw one of your memories

"Which one?"

describe what I saw. It's imprinted on my mind like a damn tattoo, making it

It's like slowly they are

been surrounded by love. Xena loved

the hell changed?

that day," she

faraway look. "I

like I didn't belong.

mother was this powerful,

untouchable force. Xena was

of being the

And there I was-awkward,

uncoordinated, powerless. I even