Alec's Redemption: An Alpha Romance

Chapter 313

Aspen slips right back into her gas if nothing ever happened. She's so absorbed, you'd never guess that just

a few minutes ago she was askingfor rainbow doors and butterflies.

Sometimes | wonder, do we all secretly wish our lives were as simple as that of children? Stress-free, carefree,

their entire world wrapped up in pixels, laughter, and small wonders. | envy that ease. | miss it too. The days

when my biggest concern was how long | could play before my parents calledin to finish my homework.

A sigh escapes me. | shake the thoughts away before they can dragunder. That tis gone. What matters

now is making sure Aspen and every other child in this pack get to enjoy their childhood like | did. That won't be

possible with Xena and Kaden around.

"Nyx went MIA on me," | admit, more to distract myself than anything else.

Raven pauses, her gaze flicks to mine in the mirror. "What do you mean, MIA?"

The ache in my chest sharpens and my throat tightens. "She said she had to go away for a while. Ssort of

hibernation or something, but she didn't explain much... She said I'd be fine without her, but | don't feel fine. It

feels like she abandoned me, Raven." My voice wavers and fingers knot in my lap. "Like she left right when |

needed her most."

It's only been a couple of hours and | already miss her so much. The emptiness insideis a cold ache that

settles into bone in a way | can't ignore. It feels as if someone has ripped a part ofaway.

| want her back. | want her with me, but a part ofremembers that Nyx never asks for much. All she's ever

asked is that I trust her... So, no matter how hollow I feel, | have to trust her and believe she left for a reason and

that it'll all make sense when she comes back.

Raven sets the eyeliner down and rests her hands on my shoulders, grounding me. "Maybe she's cultivating."

"Cultivating?" | echo, blinking at her.

She nods, givinga small encouraging smile. "Witches do it all the time. We leave our covens for months,

sometimes years, to master our magic in solitude. It's in the solitude that they push their power until it blossoms

into something greater, and then they cback stronger. Nyx might be doing the same."

"But that doesn't make sense," | say quickly. "We are one and the same, so if she needs to cultivate, shouldn't |

be with her?"

Raven tilts her head, patient, like she's used to explaining things to people who panic first and think later. "Think

of it this way, Sadie. Yes, you are one and the same, but you're also individuals. You share a soul, yes, but you

have different strengths. There are things only she can do and things only you can do. And remember, she's

older than you. Older in memory and in experience. That age gives her tools you don't have yet."

She steps closer, her hand warm on my shoulder. "When witches cultivate, when someone withdraws to grow,

they don't always need company. Sometimes the process demands solitude. Nyx pulling away doesn't mean she

doesn't trust you; it means she trusts you enough to stand without her while she goes to do what only she can

do."

Her words land like a boulder. | want to argue, to beg her back, but the stubborn part ofthat isn't just grief

listens instead.

Tears prick my eyes, but her words ease something tight in me. "I hope you're right."

"I usually am." She smirks, returning to her work.

By the tshe finishes, my reflection barely feels like me. My skin glows, my eyes look brighter, and my lips are

painted in a soft shade that makesfeel beautiful.

Raven steps back, satisfied. "There. Done."

Before | can say anything, Aspen gasps loudly from the bed, her eyes going wide.

"Whoa. You do look like a princess, Mommy!" She bounces off the bed and circlestically, her little

hands clasped together like she's announcing royalty. "Like one who goes to fancy balls and makes everyone

jealous."

Heat floods my cheeks, and | can't help but laugh. "You're ridiculous."

Raven smirks, satisfaction all over her face. "Ridiculous or not, she's right. Alec won't know what hit him."

Aspen tilts her head, narrowing her eyes in mock suspicion. "Sooo... if you're a princess, can | come? I'm your

little princess, you said so."

What would | do without my cheeky girl?

| bite my lip to keep from laughing outright. The pout on her lips and the way her tiny brows knit together, it's

lethal. If don't cup with something clever, I'm toast. s.net

"Hmm," | hum, erouching down to her level. "Here's the problem with that. If you cwith me, everyone will

forget about Mommy and only stare at the real princess which is you. I'd be so sad and embarrassed. Do you

want that?"

tos

| put my best pout and sad look on, even though I'm dying on the inside. It's taking

all ofto keep the act on.

Her eyes widen, like she hadn't considered this tragic possibility.

Raven, biting back laughter, adds fuel to the fire. "She has a point, Aspen. No one will want to talk to her

because they'd want you."

Aspen's lips twitch as she tries not to smile. "Well... maybe I'll stay here then. Just this once."

"Thank you," | whisper tically, kissing her forehead. "You're saving Mommy from total humiliation."

Aspen giggles. "Fine. But you have to bringcake and ice cream."

"I'll see what | can do." | kiss her forehead and stand, smoothing my dress with shaky hands.

Raven snorts. "She's definitely your daughter."

Satisfied with my answer, Aspen skips back to the bed, this twith her doll.

Raven givesa knowing look as

we step out of ly to0eE’

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"I'm not nervous."

"You're definitely nervous."

"Fine," | mutter. "Maybe a little."

f a q

The sound of Alec's voice carries

down the hall as we reach the stairs.

|

He's on the phoney his@néclipped

Blt BEDI Something about patrol

schedules. But the moment he looks

up and sees me, his words falter. s

His jaw drops slightly, his eyes sweeping overin stunned silence. He doesn't

even try to hide it. The papers in his free hand lower slowly, forgotten.

"Uh," he mutters into the phone. "I'll... call you back."

The call ends abruptly, and for the first tin a long while, Alec looks like

someone who's had the wind knocked out of him.

Heat blooms across my cheeks, and | shift uncomfortably under his gaze. "What?"

He shakes his head slowly, a grin tugging at his lips. "Nothing. Just... wow."

And for the first ttonight, my

nerves twist into Sapetging else!

epiginganaig warm and

flattery. The content is on

novelenglish.net! Read the latest

chapter there!