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

to Piper, Jason

kinds of leaders. Those that lead with authority, but

and care. Those that are ruthless and

rule and finally those that rule because

extent care about those they rule over, but

of those under them, but there is a certain coldness to their

under the last category.

distant, always operating with a sense

was cold

this version of him? The one who notices Raven's exhaustion,

information? This is a man I don't quite recognize but

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

mine while they prepare

good," Raven replies. "Don't

she's not running

me, and I send him a small glance

sip of my

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

about the meeting and more about how

Ther being here.

over the room, thick and heavy with anticipation. All

stay fixed on a

know her-she's

thoughts, pulling the threads

she speaks.

my eggs, unhurried. No

her. I know

ready and it

that out

Finally, Raven speaks.

"the spell is still draining

Wait-what?

I thought my presence had somehow put a barrier between the spell

the pack.

the spell," Micah says, echoing

thoughts.

her presence hasn't really stopped

Slowed it down. But the spell is still drawing

just in smaller amounts."

sharp. I can't tell if he's

it's still happening or

looks up at

another reading, I realized

still pulling power.

is tethered

force-it needs it to

Sadie's presence didn't severthe

just

if Sadie leaves?" Jason

barrier breaks," Raven says, her voice serious. "And the

amounts of

frown. "But if I'm acting as a buffer... shouldn't the spell

theory, yes," Raven nods. "But this spell has been in place for generations.