Page 79 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

“Katherine.” His voice is softer now, but his eyes burn with something deep, something earnest. “I can’t apologize enough for what I did to you. For the things I said. For the way I made you feel.”

He exhales, his grip on my fingers tightening.

“But I’m hoping… I’m praying that you’ll forgive me.”

I nod. Just a small, almost imperceptible nod. Because I can’t speak. Everything is too overwhelming.

And somehow, he knows. He sees right through me.

“Katherine.” His voice is laced with concern. “Are you okay?”

It’s how he asks it.

So clueless and innocent, so sincere, the way he used to ask when things were simple. When he was just this mysterious janitorwith kind eyes and a quiet presence that felt like a safety net I didn’t realize I needed.

A small, tiny smile tugs at my lips.

I clear my throat. “Yeah, Alex. I’m just… thinking about a lot.”

He nods, like he expected that. “Whatever questions you have, I’ll explain everything.”

“I know. It’s just…” I exhale, running my thumb along the back of his hand absentmindedly. The words come before I can stop them. Because that’s what happens when I’m around Alex for too long—my walls just crack open. “It’s not just that.”

His brows pull together slightly, fingers drawing slow, barely-there circles on my skin. “Then what is it?”

I sigh. “Tomorrow’s my birthday.”

His eyes flicker with something unreadable.

“I don’t even know why I’m thinking about it so much. I feel silly. Maybe it’s everything that’s happened lately. The car crash. Almost dying. I don’t know.”

Alex’s face twists. His expression sharpens.

“There’s nothing silly about your birthday, Katherine.” His voice is firm, steady. “And it’s completely understandable to feel this way after what you’ve been through.”

I nod slowly, letting his words settle.

“It’s weird,” I murmur. “I usually don’t feel much of anything about my birthday.”

His head tilts slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes.

I hesitate for a second. Then, before I can stop myself, I just… tell him.

“Might have something to do with some childhood nonsense.” I exhale, shaking my head slightly. “I wanted a puppy when I wasfifteen. My parents promised me one. I was so excited. And then my birthday came, and… nothing.”

A bitter chuckle escapes me.

“I got upset. Like, really upset. And my mom, well… let’s just say she wasn’t exactly sympathetic about it. She told me I was being silly. That it was just a puppy. That I had plenty of birthdays to come.”

I shrug, forcing a small smile.

“Since then, I guess I just started feeling numb about it.”

I don’t know why I’m telling him all this.

No. That’s a lie.

I do know.

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