Alec’s

"King?"

There's a pause, a void of silence, and for a moment, my heart stutters. Maybe it won't work. Maybe it was stupid to even-

"Sadie?"

I jolt, eyes flying open, breath catching in my throat. It worked.

"King!"

He sounds just as shocked as I feel. "How are you doing this? The mind-link only works if we're close. You're... miles away."

"I don't know," I say, a shaky laugh bubbling up in my throat. "I just tried."

He chuckles, and the sound is warm and familiar. "Damn. Your powers are leveling up faster than we thought. This is amazing."

I smile, nodding even though he can't see me. "I know, right? I honestly wasn't sure it would work. Actually, I was afraid it wouldn't work."

"I guess we don't need phones now," he chuckles. "It will save me the phone bill."

His teasing slightly eases the tension inside as my heart fills with something more than need.

"You'll still need your phone; otherwise, how is Aspen supposed to talk to her favorite uncle?"

"Suppose she inherited her mother's abilities?"

It's something I've thought about even though I haven't really allowed myself to dive too much into it. After all, she's still a kid and besides, she hasn't shown any signs as of yet.

"Even if she has, it would probably take years before they are unlocked." I answer him, "So you still have to use it."

"Damn, and here I was hoping," he mutters in a light tone.

"No such luck," I laugh before asking, "How's the pack doing?"

There's a beat of silence, then King says, "Good. I was just preparing to lead the run."

"You are nervous?"

I could sense it in his voice. This was so unlike him. He's always assured and

confident. I don't remember ever seeing King nervous.

"How did you know?" he asks before admitting it. "A little"

I chuckle softly. "It's my superpower... but seriously, you've led runs with me

hundreds of times, King. You're going to be fine. You've got this."

He takes a deep breath, and I can feel his resolve solidify as he repeats the words. "I've got this."

"That's the spirit," I tell him, as my heart swells with warmth.

So far, King has proved to be really good at running a pack. It's like he was born

to lead and I know he will make a really good Alpha one day.

"Okay, I know you've got things to take care before the run, so I'll let you go."

I can feel just how relaxed he is as he replies, "Thanks, Sadie. I know this will be your first heat cycle, so make sure to take care. Stay safe."

"I will," I promise, a warmth spreading through me at his concern. "Let me know how it goes tomorrow, and take care too."

"Will do," he says, and with that, I cut the link.

I open my eyes, exhaling a long, shaky breath. The room is still buzzing with that electric tension, and I'm just about to reach for the glass of water in front of me when-

Alec's scent hits me like a wall.

It crashes into

me, dark, potent and

heady, and it's so intense that I actually sway in my chair. My knees press together, and I clutch the edge of the table, grounding myself as the scent of pine and cedar and something distinctly Alec envelops me, wrapping around médike a vice.

I gasp, swallowing hard, but it's like trying to breathe through molasses.

How did his scent get so strong? It was faint when he went upstairs, but now it's

like it's everywhere, suffocating me, sinking deep into my lungs and my skin.

I force myself to look up, and there he is, walking down the stairs with that easy, confident stride, his black hair tousled, shirt sleeves rolled up to his forearms, exposing the ripple of muscle beneath his tan skin. noveldrama

My mouth goes dry.

He lifts a hand, raking it through his hair, and the way his bicep flexes nearly sends me to my knees. The tendons in his throat shift as he swallows, and my eyes track the movement, my entire body aching with need.

Alec reaches the bottom of the stairs and looks around, his dark eyes searching

for me. When they finally land on mine, the air is sucked from my lungs.

I can't breathe. I can't think.

All I can do is stare at him, my nails digging into the wooden table as that electric, gnawing, aching need coils tighter and tighter, threatening to snap.