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

I murmur, and head toward Xena's

arrive. A few seconds later, her voice floats

"Come in."

knob

I've been in here. While I've changed my room over the years. New colors, new designs, because

you staring at?" she asks, pulling me

cross-legged

bed;

in black.

bet

she owns a

that isn't

the door behind me. "Your room still

chills, by the way."

and goes

I ask as I walk over to her

"Seriously?"

I laugh awkwardly. "My

"Anyway, I