Page 44 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

Saul shoots me a dirty look before getting to his feet and shuffling toward the kitchen. “Some hospitality.”

I ignore him because Lily chooses that moment to enter the room.

“Is Alex bringing over one of the children tonight?” she asks, her expression serious. “We need to assess how deep you’ll go under. Everything is ready on my end.”

“Not tonight, but—”

There’s a knock on the front door. I hand Lily my plate to go see who it is.

To my surprise, Nathan is standing there, his face pale and jaw set. In his arms, he’s holding a little girl who is less than a year old and clutching him tightly. I can tell that they’re related because they have the same blonde hair and blue eyes.

“My sister,” he introduces her breathlessly before pushing past me into the house.

Saul barges out of the kitchen, and his eyes tighten. “What are you doing, Nathan?”

Nathan’s eyes are almost frantic as he thrusts his baby sister at me. “I snuck her out. Can you try undoing the link?”

His voice is pleading. I exchange a look with Saul before nodding slowly.

I’ve just taken the girl into my arms when Saul bursts out, “Are you crazy, Nathan? Do you have any idea what the nannies will do if they find out you took Lexie—”

“I can’t wait anymore.” Nathan’s hands are shaking. “I don’t know why Alex is taking so long, but I cannot put this off any longer. Sophia thinks she can help her. So, why not try? I’ve set up a distraction at the nursery. They won’t notice she’s gone. Sophia, please. She’s all I have.”

Saul is about to say something else, but I hold up a hand, stopping him in his tracks. “That’s enough. She’s here now. Lily?”

Understanding what I need, Lily pushes the wooden coffee table to the side, clearing a space in the center of the room. We sit down on the floor, the little girl in my lap; I hold her as Lily wraps her hands around my wrists. Saul is going around the room closing the curtains, and I see Nathan stand guard by the door.

I begin.

It’s easier than the last time. I can sense the tainted magic, and I follow the trail to the same tangled, black threads. Mydetermination is stronger this time because I know what has to be done.

I begin pulling apart the threads one by one, and whenever I slow down, I feel something akin to a burst of energy, and then I begin all over again. This time is definitely easier, I realize dimly as I untangle the threads, getting closer and closer to the child’s core. But soon, even the short bursts of power moving through me are not helping. I’m beginning to tire out, and a strange exhaustion is filling me.

I need to rest. I want to close my eyes, go to sleep, and not wake up.

Remembering my promise to Alex, I pause. Something isn’t right. I need to stop.

I release the threads from my hands and allow myself to drift away from them. As I do, I feel constant boosts of magic being forced into me. I even out my breathing and focus on getting back.

How do I get back?

Last time it was easy because I was jerked awake. This time there’s no one shaking me. I have to wake myself up.

“Sophia.”

“Sophia, come back.”

That’s Alex’s voice.

I search for the source of the sound and make my way toward it.

He’s calling for me over and over again, his voice getting louder by the second. My consciousness is still wandering in the dark, trying not to feel scared. I told him I would do this, and I have to. There is no room for fear. I have to be confident in my own abilities.

“Sophia.”

There’s a strain in his voice now, and I reach out as if to grab it, to grab him.

I blink. When my eyes fully open, Alex is holding me in his arms, staring at me, looking terrified. My body feels weak and cold, but I know that if I show him the extent of it, he will never let me do this again.

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