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.

would know she's pregnant, but I know Sadie. She wouldn't say anything if she

voice is rough,

gaze flicks to mine,

this heartbeat that doesn't belong to you, Piper. It's so faint, but it's there, growing."

swear the ground shifts beneath me. This isn't just some wild guess. I can feel

voice cracks as she presses both hands to her stomach. "You don't even know what you're

in a shaky breath, her eyes filling

shattering and body folding in itself as tears rush to 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

calmer, she pulls from me and gives me a

racing once again when Sadie's eyes flash white and then she speaks

sharp, like a blade wrapped in

The silence is so heavy

between a laugh and a sob, one that's full of nerves and disbelief. "Now you're just pushing it too far

know that."

off, her

though she can't breathe

Sadie, searching for some sign

tears, her whole body shaking. Her fear bleeds

"How?" I ask again.

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

it even if I try. I can

It's

to him in a way. It's not sight, it's not sound, it's something deeper. I feel him, just like I feel

hands cover her mouth, tears streaking down her face now. "This isn't happening." Her voice