Alpha alec's redemption (Sadie) novel Chapter 338

Alec.

I don’t think I’ve ever been this anxious in my entire life. Not during challenges to maintain my Alpha title. Not during battles. Not even the moment I was first crowned as the Alpha.

Nothing, and I mean nothing, comes close to the way my chest tightens as I wait at the bottom of the staircase for her. As I wait to see if she wore the dress I bought for her. Wait to see how she looks in it.

The moment I received the letter from the council, I knew I wanted Sadie by my side as my mate. And as I was scrolling online, I saw the dress and I just knew it would be perfect for her. That it was made for her, so I purchased it on a whim, all the while hoping she won’t turn me down.

Lola’s coming back screwed everything. The dress had already been delivered, but with Sadie ignoring me, I wasn’t sure she’d accept the dress. I took the coward's way out and gave it to Piper.

Now here I am nervous as I wait because I was too chicken to ask my sister if Sadie had accepted the dress.

I pace, my hands clenched to my side, and nervous energy surrounds me. Pack members and guests give me strange looks, unsure why I look like I’m about to pass out or tear someone’s head off.

Then I hear her soft footsteps.

I lift my head and everything inside me stops.

Sadie steps into view at the top of the stairs with King by her side, and for a moment, I genuinely forget how to breathe. For a moment I forget another man is walking her down instead of me.

The dress fits her like it was stitched from moonlight and molded to her skin. The silver hues catch the chandeliers and turn her into something celestial. Her hair cascades over her shoulders in soft curls, her lips slightly parted as if she is unsure she belongs. But she does. Goddess, she does belong. Here in this pack and with me.

Knox practically whimpers. “So beautiful and she is ours.”

I can’t even move. My hand, holding my phone, drops uselessly to my side.

Someone is talking in my ear—Micah, I think—but I hear nothing. Not over the thunder inside my chest.

After taking a couple of breaths, I follow them. I walk in with the confidence of an Alpha who has been brought to his knees by his mate. Nonexistent.

I walk to the front. As Alpha, I have responsibilities, even if every instinct in my body wants to drag Sadie somewhere private and force her to look at me or talk to me, but duty calls.

I step onto the podium at the front of the grand hall. Hundreds of guests gather below—Alphas, witches and vampires. I give the expected speech. Something about unity. About peace between species. About rebuilding alliances. I hear myself talking, but Knox and I are both focused entirely on her.

Sadie stands near Raven, her posture straight, her chin lifted, and her aura dimmed and cold. People keep staring at her—Alpha sons, warriors, and diplomats, their eyes tracking her curves and her beauty, and I fucking hate it.

Knox snarls. “Fuck! I want to rip out their fucking eyes from the sockets.”

I grit my teeth, fighting the need to storm over and mark her as mine so every male knows and stays the fuck away from her.

Every time a man’s gaze lingers on her too long, heat rises under my skin. If she were standing beside me. If things were still okay, I’d place a hand on her waist to make it clear she’s mine. But right now? She would shrug me off. Maybe even glare or tell me to go to hell.