Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Pregnant.

The words fall from Sadie's lips like a thunderclap. For a moment, the air in the office stills. My breath catches in my chest, and even Knox freezes inside me.

The words hang in the air. No one moves, no one says anything. It's completely still and silent.

The word continues to ricochet in my chest... And suddenly, the room feels too small for all the truths pressing in.

Knox's howl shatters through my skull, torn in confusion, happiness and a bit of panic. Piper's lips part, her face pale as she stares back at us.

"What?" Piper's voice is small, almost childlike. Her eyes widen before a choked laugh slips out. “No, that's-Sadie, you can't just say something like that." Her voice cracks, rising higher with every word. "You can't—”

I whip my head toward Sadie. She remains quiet, her face pale, shoulders trembling, and eyes locked on Piper with certainty. Terrifying, immovable certainty.

"I'm not... I can't be. That's not-❞ Piper continues, her hands fluttering near her stomach as though the gesture alone could prove Sadie wrong.

Sadie doesn't even blink, but her hands are clenched into fists against her lap. "You are,” she whispers, her voice steady but faint, like it's being dragged from the depths of her soul. "You might not believe me, but you're pregnant."

The silence that follows is deafening. My heart slams in my chest. Knox is howling with shock, with questions, but I can't seem to move. Maybe after the shock has faded, I'll be happy that I'll be an uncle, but not right now. Not when my sister seems to be breaking.

Piper shakes her head violently. "No. No, that's impossible. I—I'd know, wouldn't I? Alec, tell her she's wrong." Her eyes dart to me, pleading, terrified.

The only time I've ever seen Piper this rattled is when I told her that Sadie was dead. It hurts seeing my little sister, always bold, always unafraid, reduced to trembling disbelief.

I want to tell her Sadie must be mistaken, that this is impossible-but when I look

at Sadie, I see something in her eyes that makes my throat close up. She's rattled, more rattled than I've ever seen her. Her hands tremble as if she's struggling to hold herself together.

no way Sadie would know she's pregnant, but I know

voice is rough, almost demanding,

gaze flicks to mine, glassy and

admits, her voice breaking. "I can't explain it, but I just... know. I can feel it. This spark, this heartbeat that doesn't belong to you, Piper. It's so faint, but it's there, growing." Her fingers twitch against her knees, her

guess. I can feel it -her confusion, her fear, her awe and her

say something like that! You can't -"Her voice cracks as she presses both hands to her stomach.

her

her voice shattering and body folding

her side, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder. She's shaking, her breaths are sharp and uneven and her tears flow like rushing rivers down her cheeks. I wipe them away before pulling her into my arms. She hugs

she pulls from me and gives me a

she speaks and

quiet but sharp, like a blade wrapped in

silence is so heavy it feels like we've

and a sob, one that's full of nerves and disbelief. "Now you're just

know

her chest

though she can't breathe

glance at Sadie, searching for some sign she's mistaken, but

whole body shaking. Her fear bleeds into me, and

"How?" I ask again.

looks at me, eyes wide. "I don't know," she whispers, her voice

it even if I try. I

Piper. It's like I'm

a way. It's not sight, it's not sound, it's

streaking down her face now. "This isn't happening." Her voice breaks into