Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Chapter 288

I walk through the corridors, my head bobbing to music only I can hear.

I'm on a mission. And that mission is to find my sister.

Ever since we turned sixteen, our training and study sessions have doubled. Don't get me wrong, we still get breaks and time to hang out with others—but

everything else takes a backseat to our education and combat prep.

Lately, though, I haven't seen Xena outside of training, classes, or meals. We're twins. We should be joined at the hip, but sometimes, it feels like we're slowly drifting apart.

We're no longer as close as we used to be. No more late-night chats in each other's rooms, no spontaneous hangouts. Just silence and space between us.

I hate it.

I know we're growing. I know we're not little girls anymore, and I get that we're becoming our own people and we have lives separate from each other. But this feels like more than growing up. It feels like the bond between us is thinning. Like a thread fraying, one strand at a time.

We have different friends now. Separate routines. But none of that should ever take away from the fact that we're sisters. That we're twins.

So today, I'm making the effort. It's evening, training is done, studies are over, and for once, I'm free. And I want to spend that time with my favorite person in the world.

"Have you seen Xena?" I stop one of the palace servants in the corridor.

She bows politely, eyes focused on the floor. "She's in her room, Your Royal Highness."

title again. I know it's protocol because of who my mother is, but

murmur, and head

knock once I arrive. A few seconds later, her voice floats

"Come in."

knob and

the years. New colors, new designs, because I get bored easily; hers has remained

are you staring at?" she

sitting cross-legged on

bed;

she's in

bet

a single

that isn't black or

behind me. "Your room still gives me

chills, by the way."

and goes back

I ask as I walk

"Seriously?"

stupid question," I laugh awkwardly. "My

says dryly. "Anyway, I should be asking