Alpha Alec's Redemption by Kathy M

Seeing no point in staying in my room-especially now that Nyx had shutout I crawl out of bed and leave. Besides, my stomach is growling, remindingthat I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

I wander through the corridors and down the stairs in a daze. Sure, Nyx gavemore information... but all it did was leavemore confused. Sometimes I wonder if she does it on purpose, because tellwhy I always end up more confused after having a talk with her? She gets so cryptic sometimes-dropping puzzle pieces, shrouding everything in mystery-and I hate it. I hate not having answers. I hate being confused. I hate being kept in the dark. I hate that she's feedingcrumbs.

But I also can't push her. I know her well enough to know that will make her retreat further from me, and I can't have that. I can't afford for us to drift apart, especially now, when it feels like Xena has the upper hand.

And her parting shot? It hasspiraling.

Could it be that, just like me, her mother's wolf spirit was transferred to someone else, living in a completely different human body? And if she suspects someone, that means she's already met her. Which means I've probably met her too, right? So, who the hell is she? I rack my brain, trying to think of who could possibly be Nyx's mother, but I cup empty.

On that note, it getsthinking... does Xena have a different body too? Can Nyx recognize her? Or are we flying blind? It makes sense. If both she and her mother were transferred to new bodies, then the scould be said for Xena. Which just makes things more difficult.

I walk into the kitchen, lost in thought, and the moment I step in, every person in the room stops what they're doing.

"Good morning, Luna," a middle-aged woman greetswith a warm smile. "Well... that's new... and unexpected.

I stand there awkwardly, shifting from one foot to the other, not sure how to respond. I don't recognize her so she must be a new member. Maybe that's why she calledLuna? "H-hi," I stammer the words, feeling awkward about the whole situation.

"Would you like something to eat, Luna?" another omega asks from near the stove.

Now this is definitely bizarre. I know her. Her name's Maureen. I used to help the omegas with their duties from tto time. My own little way of giving back to the pack. We've worked together before.

I shake myself from the daze and square my shoulders. "Yes... but don't callLuna." I grind my teeth and hold back my fury.

They exchange glances, and then one of them steps forward.

"You are our Luna," she says, soft but certain. "That's very clear to all of us." "What the actual hell? My jaw clenches as I stare at them, fuming. First of all, I'm an Alpha. Second of all, who told them to callLuna? Who gave them the right? If this is Alec's doing, I swear I'm going to castrate him.

I grit my teeth and try to keep it together. Food first. Rage later.

I watch as Maureen grabs a plate from the dish rack and loads it with eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast. She pours coffee into a cup and places both in front ofwith a smile.

"Here you go, Luna." That's it. I can't contain my anger anymore.

"If you callLuna one more time," I say through gritted teeth, narrowing my eyes into slits, "I'm going to skin you alive." They all stiffen. Their backs go ramrod straight—and for a second, I think they believe me.

That is, until I hear his voice cut through the room.

"Did you just threaten my pack members?" I whirl around so fast I nearly give myself whiplash.

"Fuck," I mutter, rubbing my neck. "Where did you cfrom?" Alec steps fully into the room, walking over until he's standing beside me. He leans against the counter, calm and unreadable.

"Been here the entire time," he says smoothly, his eyes scanningfrom head to toe, "waiting for you to cdown." There is no heat in his gaze. It's more like he's scanningto make sure that I am okay, but for sreason his gaze makesblush.

I squint at him. "That's a total lie. I would've sensed you." He smirks, his green eyes bright against the morning sun "Sure-if you hadn't been so distracted and lost in thought." I open my mouth to defend myself, but I end up closing it. He's right.

With everything going on, I've been spacing out a lot lately. I've been so deep in thought lately that I wouldn't have sensed a stampede if it passed me.

We stare at each other-and suddenly the kitchen, the omegas, the morning noise... all of it fades.

It's just the two of us, suspended in something I can't name.

Realizing what's happening, I snap myself out of it, clearing my throat and tearing my gaze from his hypnotizing eyes. I glance around and find the omegas still watching us, all of them smiling like they're witnessing sepic love story.

Great.

"Um... do you know where Aspen is?" I ask, desperate to change the subject. Alec's eyes are still on me, quiet and intent, like he's searching for something under my skin.

"She's fine," he says finally. "Last tI checked, she was out in the field playing with the other children." I nod, filing that away to check on her later.

Before I can reach for my plate, Alec grabs the cup of coffee places it in my hand. then snatches my plate with one hand and uses the other to grab my hand.

"What are you doing?" I ask, startled as he starts pullingout of the kitchen. "Raven's already here," he says, throwinga look. "You can eat while we hear what she discovered." At the mention of Raven, my heartbeat stutters with excitement. Finally. Answers.

I follow him, mind spinning-but all I can focus on is the way his skin feels ve against mine. The sparks are there, subtle and warm, lightingup from the inside.

He stops in front of a door to the meeting room.

"You ready for this?" he asks, his voice low.

I have to refocus just to hear the question.

"Yes," I whisper, clutching his hand tighter.

He nods, then pushes the door open.

Inside, everyone's already gathered: Raven, Jason, Micah... and, surprisingly, Piper.