Alec’s

Sadie.

Everything ached.

My limbs, my head, my heart.

Even with the quiet of the night, the silence wasn't comforting-it was heavy. Like the world was holding its breath and waiting for something terrible to happen. And somehow, I was the only one who could feel it.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled sharply. made my way to the bathroom. I padded toward the bathroom, stripping off my clothes along the way and letting them fall to the floor. I turned towards the mirror and it reflected a version of myself that barely felt like me-dark circles beneath my eyes, tension etched into my brow, my mouth a thin, tired line.

I turned away from my reflection and walked into the shower. The moment I turned on the shower and stepped beneath the stream of hot water, a sigh escaped me. I leaned against the tiled wall, eyes closing as the water rolled down my back, trying to wash away the weight of everything we had uncovered and ease the tension from my shoulders.

My thoughts tangled as I stood there, motionless.

What if we were wrong?

What if we weren't wrong?

And if we weren't... what kind of war were we actually about to face?noveldrama

Thoughts of Xena and Kaden consumed me. Who would have known that coming to help Alec's pack with the curse would reveal such a deep-rooted conspiracy? Nothing had prepared us for dealing with all these, yet we had no option. We can't let Xena succeed in freeing Kaden. Something told me that if that happened, there would be nothing but chaos.

My mind then drifted to Nyx. My sweet, tough wolf. Nyx's hatred and pain still lingered in my chest like a burn. That kind of rage doesn't come from nowhere. It comes from betrayal. From loss. I wanted to help her. To be there for her. To be a pillar when she faces her past and those that betrayed her. Most importantly, I want to avenge her. To get justice for her.

I stayed in the shower until the water began to cool, and my fingers were pruney. I stayed until the heat sank into my bones and the weight in my chest didn't feel too heavy. When I finally stepped out, I dried off, ran my fingers through my damp hair, and made my way into the closet. My fingers hovered over my clothes before settling on a soft pair of navy-blue pajamas. Comfortable, simple, familiar. Exactly what I needed.

Aspen was already curled into a ball on my bed, her small chest rising and falling in the steady rhythm of sleep. I slipped in beside her, careful not to jostle her too much, and pulled her into my arms. She murmured something unintelligible in her sleep and pressed her head against my chest.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. She was the one piece of peace I had left in this world.

A soft knock on the door made me lift my head.

It was then that I smelled him. Alec.

"Come in," I said quietly, not wanting to wake Aspen.

The door creaked open, and Alec stepped in. His eyes flicked from me to Aspen, and the sheepish look on his face made my heart flutter in a way I absolutely did not want to acknowledge. His look changed for a moment to... uncertainty. Like he didn't belong in the softness of my space, like something about this

room made him hesitate.

I stared at him, not really sure what to say. There is just something about seeing

one of the most feared alphas uncertain.

"I just wanted to say goodnight to Aspen," he said, his voice low. "But I can see she's already asleep."

I nodded. "She had a long day."

"So did you."

There was a beat of silence. That silence always said more than either of us ever dared to.

"Mind if I kiss her goodnight?"

His voice was low, hesitant.

I nodded, unsure why my throat suddenly felt dry.

He walked over to the bed, his movements careful, and bent to press a gentle kiss to Aspen's forehead. But when he straightened, he didn't move away.

I should've looked away.

I didn't.

The air between us shifted. Thinned

The scent of him hit me first-woodsy, warm, familiar. It curled around me like a memory le hadn't asked for. It was everywhere. Rich and warm and unmistakably him. My heart beat a little too fast, my breath catching as the bond between us sparked awake. The pull was stronger now, more insistent. With my heat almost starting, there came a hunger that lived in my very bones. A craving I couldn't fight, no matter how hard I tried.