Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

I hold Piper tightly, trying to comfort her, but over her trembling body, my eyes catch on Sadie. She's pulled back against the sofa, pale and silent, tears shining in her eyes but refusing to fall. She looks as though she's standing on the edge of a cliff, staring down into something vast and terrifying.

Sadie folds her arms around herself, curling inward as if she can make herself smaller. "I didn't mean to say it out loud," she whispers, eyes fixed on the floor. "It just came. I couldn't stop it. And now I've said it, I can't take it back."

And in that moment, I realize this isn't just about Piper's pregnancy.

This is about Sadie. About the power awakening inside her, a power that feels too big, too raw, too divine. And it's breaking her.

This is a power that she just discovered in the worst way possible. She isn't prepared for it and it just came out from her and she had no way to prepare for it.

Sadie's hands are trembling against her lap, and her breath comes uneven and shallow. Her eyes are unfocused, not even looking at Piper anymore. She looks like she's breaking right in front of me, shattering under the weight of something none of us understand.

Knox growls inside me, sharp and possessive. "Go to her. Our mate needs us. Piper has Calvin. Sadie only has us."

hesitate for a moment. She's my baby sister and I would die for her, but Sadie is my mate. She and Aspen will always come first, just like Calvin will always

be here for you, I

her shaky voice. "I know, Alec. You're right, she needs you. Go to her. I'll be

Piper's small nod, her lips pressing together as though to hold

the

room

strides and kneel in front of Sadie. "Hey," I whisper, slipping my arms around her trembling frame. She stiffens in surprise, her wide eyes darting up

she cling to me like she's drowning and I'm the only

exhales, satisfied. "I love our sister, but this is where we

throat burns. I hold her tighter, pressing my chin to her hair, letting her sobs soak into me. "I've got you, Sadie," murmur

You're not