Alpha alec's redemption (Sadie) novel Chapter 235

Alec.

I woke up before the sun.

The soft glow of morning light crept through the curtains. I blinked into the brightness, dragging a hand down my face. I was awake, but my thoughts were still caught somewhere between sleep and that moment last night… when I almost lost control.

For a moment, I just laid there, staring at the ceiling, hoping the ache in my chest would ease. It didn’t. It never has ever since I realized that Sadie is my mate. The scent of her still clung to my skin, though we hadn’t touched. Not really.

Goddess, the way she looked last night—standing in the soft glow of her bedroom, wearing nothing but a tank and cotton shorts, her hair still damp from a shower, her eyes wary and wanting all at once. The way her breath hitched when I leaned in to kiss Aspen. The way her scent shifted—sweetened and sharp with desire.

I wanted her. Every damn part of me wanted her. My wolf, Knox, was unrelenting last night. Prowling just beneath my skin, demanding I take her, mark her, make her mine.

And I almost did.

It took everything in me to turn and walk away.

The full moon was days away, and already it was playing havoc with our bond. I could feel it like a live wire beneath my skin, tugging me toward her, whispering her name into every breath I took. But wanting her—needing her—wasn’t the same as deserving her. And I hadn’t earned that yet.

Knox had been pacing all night, scratching beneath my skin, howling for me to go back to her. To finish what we started. To mark her, claim her, bind her to us before the full moon rose and we lost our minds. I’d wrestled him for hours, grounding myself with every ounce of control I had. But my body was still humming, every nerve ending on fire, and the taste of her still lingered in my mouth even though I hadn’t even kissed her.

I got up, went through the motions of my morning - showering, brushing my teeth, pulling on a pair of training sweats and a fitted black T-shirt. Each routine movement was meant to distract me, to drown out the memory of Sadie’s scent, the way her eyes widened when I stepped too close, and the sound of her breath catching when I leaned in to kiss Aspen.

I wanted Sadie. Her heat, her presence, the maddening bond between us.

After a quick breakfast, I headed out to the training grounds. The morning air was crisp, biting. I welcomed it. At least it gave me something else to feel. By the time I stepped onto the training grounds, the sun was already high. I ran a hand through my damp hair and let out a sharp whistle.

All the warriors straightened. Eyes turned toward me. Some of them looked eager. Others wary. I could see the tension in their shoulders—like they were still processing everything they’d learned.