Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Alec.

I can still feel her lips on mine minutes after we pulled apart. The soft tremor of them against mine, the way she leaned in like her heart couldn't fight it anymore. And then-the tears.

Not tears of rejection. Not tears of regret. But something far more dangerous. They were the kind of tears that say this matters. That this kiss wasn't casual or reckless, but a moment neither of us can take back.

Even now, my chest feels too tight. I've waited so damn long for this-waited while she pushed me away, while she doubted everything about us, while she carried scars I helped put there. The weight of my failures presses heavy, but still she let me in tonight. She kissed me back.

The image of her stays burned into my mind even after the kiss

Sadie standing in the middle of the training field, scepter glowing in her hands like it had always belonged there. Energy crackling around her fingertips, hair caught

in the wind, she commanded, fire swirling at her call. And then the moment she hurled a sphere of power that split a tree clean in half.

Fuck me, but I've never been more proud of her.

Not just for the kiss, but for everything. For the fire in her hands, the wind bending to her will, and the raw energy she controls like she was born to it. For summoning her scepter with a grace even the ancients would envy. For the courage it takes to stand here, in her pain and doubt, and still open her heart even a fraction to me.

I've commanded armies, I've conquered wars, but Sadie? Sadie humbles me and not just because she can kick my ass to oblivion.

These past few months, I've grown to love her. Some might argue that it's impossible to feel that way this soon, but I can't help it. I love her.

I had been happy to have her by my side, but if I'm being honest, I never really quite felt for her what

but I never loved her. With Sadie things are different. I would honestly sacrifice the pack if that's what it took to stay

hear her quiet sniffle, and it cuts through the haze. My hand lingers on her cheek, my thumb brushing her

than I'd like. "Why

her head, lips trembling. "Because I don't know what's wrong with me. One minute I'm terrified of you, of what's happening between

I can't stop myself from wanting

honesty slices me wide open. Seeing her cry feels like my heart is being torn

you, Sadie. You've carried so much on your own. Of course you're torn. But don't you dare think for one second that it makes

"You say that now, but what if I can't ever be enough for you?

her finish. "Sadie, look

Ket

already more than enough. More than I deserve." My throat tightens as the truth pushes out.

runs into my arms every night like I've been with her all along. You-"swallow hard. "You gave me

chosen to poison Aspen against me. She could have chosen to keep her away from me, but she didn't. Sadie

me when I

you like trash... and up until I locked you in that dungeon, you still loved me. You still cared You held on to hope for my sake... I've heard what you did for for me, even praying to the goddess on my behalf. I never appreciated it back then, but now I do. So how then can you think you're not enough? If anything, Sadie, I'm the one who isn't enough for you. I

hitches. I can see the war in her. Hope

scared, Alec," she whispers, so quietly I

might vanish if I let go. "So am I, admit, pressing my lipsz into her hair. "But fear doesn't mean we stop. It means we fight harder.

heartbeat racing against mine. Slowly, her walls ease. Not all the way, but enough