Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I stare at the occupants of the room, letting my eyes settle on each of them.

Micah and Jason both look expectant, which isn't surprising-we're all hoping

Raven came back with nothing but good news.

Piper looks expectant too, but she also looks nervous. She's fidgeting with her

hands, shifting from one foot to the other like she's unsure of whether she should

be here or not.

"Hi," she says with a tentative smile.

I want to respond, I really do, but my voice catches in my throat. Instead, I just

give her a brief nod before turning my attention to Raven.

My sister. My friend. She looks... exhausted. It looks like she hasn't slept for days.

Her body is slouched, and dark circles cling stubbornly under her eyes. Her hair is

dull and limp, and her clothes hang looser on her frame. It's as if the days she's

been gone have aged her.

I ignore everyone else and rush to her side.

"Are you okay?" I ask, sitting beside her. "We don't have to do this now. You

should get some rest first."

Raven reaches for my hand and squeezes it gently.

"I won't be able to sleep until I get this out of my head," she murmurs with a yawn.

"Let's just get it over with."

"Fine," I sigh. "But after this, it's straight to bed. Deal?"

"Deal," she whispers with a tired smile.

Alec appears beside me and places my plate of food on the table. Then he turns

to Raven.

"Did you eat?" he asks, concern lacing his voice. "I can get an omega to bring you

something."

If I'm being honest, then I'll admit that Alec has been surprising me lately. In fact,

The keeps surprising me. Thoughtfulness like this? It's not something I'm used to

from him. This is a side of him I'm not used to. This is a side of him I haven't seen

before.

The Alec I was used to was always arrogant and selfish. He only ever showed real

Piper,

of leaders. Those that lead with authority, but also

care. Those that are ruthless and don't really give a

that they rule and finally those that rule because it's their duty. They do

care about those they rule over, but to them it's just a

under them, but there is a certain coldness to

under the last category.

always operating with a sense of duty

leadership was

version of him? The one who

before information? This is a man I don't quite

to see him in a different light. It shows growth in

while they prepare

replies. "Don't worry. I already had

relief. At least she's not running on an

from me, and I send him a small glance

of

into her seat. She looks calmer now, and I have a hunch

restlessness was less about the meeting and more about how I'd react

Ther being here.

the room, thick and heavy with anticipation.

fixed on a spot on

her-she's

thoughts, pulling the threads

before she speaks. So, I

my eggs, unhurried.

know

and

figured that

Finally, Raven speaks.

begins slowly, "the spell is

Wait-what?

somehow put a barrier between the spell

the pack.

the spell," Micah says, echoing

thoughts.

out that her presence hasn't

But the spell is still

just in smaller amounts."

Alec asks, voice calm but sharp. I can't tell if he's

still happening

up at him. "When

reading,

pulling power. Just less

is tethered to the

needs it to

Sadie's presence didn't severthe

it just weakened the

if Sadie

barrier breaks," Raven says, her voice

amounts of power

acting as a buffer... shouldn't the spell

nods. "But this spell has been in place for generations.