Alec’s

His chin rests atop my head as he rocks me gently, his fingers stroking slow,

comforting lines down my spine.

"You're okay," he says, his voice a low rumble against my ear.

I rest my head against his shoulder with my eyes closed. We don't stay outside for long because within minutes I'm drained and all I want to do is sleep.

"Can we go back inside?" I whisper. "I'm exhausted."

"Absolutely," he answers, picking me up bridal style.

I'm surprised, but at the same time, I'm too tired to dive into the whole thing.

Inside, Alec wraps a soft blanket around me and pulls me onto his lap on the couch. His hand rests on my back, his thumb rubbing soothing circles as he rocks us both.

“I feel like this is my fault. Like you are going through this because of me," he mutters, his eyes closing briefly. "If I had just..."

"If you had just what?" I ask, my brow furrowing.

He doesn't answer, but the haunted look in his eyes is enough.

The ache inside me flares up again, this time for an entirely different reason. "Alec..."

"Don't," he says, his voice suddenly harsh. He pulls back, creating distance between us. "If you say my name like that, I'm going to forget myself."

I swallow, my throat tight. "Forget yourself?"

"Yeah," he rasps, his gaze dropping to my lips. "Forget that you're not ready. Forget that you still don't trust me. Forget that if I give in, you might hate me when the heat passes."

His words punch through me, sharp and unyielding, and my chest tightens. The pain of his rejection from last night stings, but hearing how much it cost him to hold back makes my heart ache even more.

I try to speak, to say something, anything, but no words leave my mouth.

Alec's hand moves to cup the back of my neck, his thumb tracing along my jaw. "You don't know how hard it was to stop last night,” he murmurs, his voice low and gravelly. "You were in my arms, writhing against me, begging me to take you. And all I wanted — all I wanted was to give you everything."

His forehead presses against mine, his breathing heavy. "You're my mate, Sadie. I want you so bad it's killing me. Even now, your scent is driving me nuts. But I can't -I can't let it happen when you're not ready."

The emotion in his voice cracks something open inside me. I lift my hand, cradling his cheek. I don't understand my action. Maybe it's the moon's heat influence, but all I know is I can't let him continue thinking that this is his fault.noveldrama

"It's not your fault, Alec," I finally say. "You shouldn't be blaming yourself. This is a natural process."

He nods his head, but I can tell that he still blames himself for something that is completely out of his control.

For a long moment, we just stay like that — his forehead against mine, his breath mingling with mine, our heartbeats thrumming in sync.

We pull apart just as the pain starts low, a throbbing ache that spreads through

my abdomen and radiates outward, building until it feels like fire is burning beneath my skin.

"Alec..." I gasp, clutching my stomach.

Alec wraps his hand around me "Hey, hey," he murmurs, voice tight with concern. "I've got you."

I can barely breathe as he carries me to the bedroom, setting me down gently on the bed. He pulls off the hoodie I had on before taking off his shirt. He then slips on behin@me, putting me back against his chest.

"Just breathe,” he whispers, his lips against my ear. "I'm right here."

I close my eyes, letting his voice wash over me.

"I called the pack house to check on Aspen. I had to sing for her. She was holding a competition and she

wanted me to be one of the

competitors," Alec says, his voice a

warm, calming murmur.

I know he's trying to distract me and it works. I laugh at that despite feeling like my

insides were on fire.

"You sing?" I ask, surprised.

Alec chuckles, the sound a deep vibration against my back. "Not well. But Aspen didn't seem to mind."

I smile, the sound a balm against the ache inside me. "I'd like to hear that."

Alec's hands still for a moment, then resume their slow, comforting strokes. "Maybe one day," he says, his lips brushing the side of my head.

Silence falls between us, the only sounds our breathing.

"She asked about you," Alec says after a beat.

My heart twists painfully. "What did you say?"

"I told her that you are okay." Alec's voice is a tow, soothing hum against my eart know this is hard, Sadie,

but you are going to be okay.

because you are the strongest woman I know."

Tears sting my eyes as I turn my face into his neck, my lips brushing against his

skin. Alec tenses but doesn't pull away.

"Alec..." I breathe, my voice breaking.

Alec's fingers thread through my hair, his lips pressing another lingering kiss to my temple. "I know, Sadie. I know."

Soon the pain begins to ease and with it, my eyes drop and I fall into a dreamless sleep.