Alpha alec's redemption (Sadie) novel Chapter 357

"We avoided each other for two years,” I continue. “Until our eighteenth birthday celebration. That night, I met my mate and Xena spoke to me for the first time in years, just to offer her congratulations.”

Beside me, Alec goes completely still.

“You had a mate?” he asks.

I glance at him and smile, amused by the jealousy he’s clearly failing to hide. “Yes. But you have to remember, I’m hundreds of years old.”

“How many hundreds?” King asks nervously, forcing a laugh.

“A woman never reveals her true age,” I reply lightly. “Haven’t you heard?”

Alec scoffs. “So I’m mated to a cougar?”

I burst out laughing and for the first time since this conversation began, the weight in the room eases just a little.

“I prefer older lady,” I reply lightly. “Anyway, I met my mate at the party, and I truly believed it was the beginning of my happily ever after. He was everything I’d ever imagined—strong, powerful, and kind. He was a little older than me, but when you’re both immortal, age hardly matters.”

A softness settles into my voice.

“Things between us were perfect. We took our time, getting to know each other, and the more time we spent together, the deeper I fell. For the first time, I could actually see the life I’d always dreamed of taking shape... a simple, peaceful life with my mate.”

By the time the next year came around, I was hopelessly in love.

“I was happy. I was loved. And we were preparing for our union ceremony.” I smile faintly. “Everything was perfect except for Xena.”

“My mate and I decided to wait until after the birth to hold our union ceremony. It was the most logical choice. Neither of us wanted the stress of planning a ceremony while I was dealing with pregnancy hormones... Everything was perfect. I even knew I was carrying a baby girl. Then, four months into my pregnancy, everything went horribly wrong.”

I swallow as the memories claw their way back.

“My mate walked into our room with Xena at his side and announced that he was breaking our bond. He said he was in love with her. That he no longer wanted me.”

Gasps ripple around the room, but I barely hear them.

I remember the way my stomach dropped. The way my heart felt like it had been torn open with bare hands. The pain was so sharp it stole the air from my lungs.

“He stood there with cold, lifeless eyes and delivered the news as if he were commenting on the weather. Xena watched from beside him triumphant and satisfied, and in that moment, I knew she had orchestrated it all. She wanted my mate, and she took him. Suddenly, every jealous look she’d ever thrown my way made sense.”