Falling in love with my Ex's Alpha Chapter 230: Book 2 - Chapter 63

***The Protector***

I can’t believe this is happening!

After all this time?

The delicious woody smell mixed with roses invades my senses in a way I’ve only seen once before. With Maia.

When Vick told me Nox had come home, I ran as fast as I could. I was running some errands to make Katie’s surprise party perfect.

Ruby has been sadly howling every full moon since Nox disappeared. Katie’s red wolf chorus of pain chills every wolf around.

It’s impossible not to feel her pain. Yet, I feel more sorry than anyone else because I’m bonded to Katie. I am her Protector. Since I found out, it has been my mission to ensure her well-being.

Besides, after everything, I made her and Kaiden suffer... It’s the least I can do.

The beautiful girl in front of me, with chin-length black hair and a heart-shaped face, looks at me with the most beautiful dark brown eyes I’ve ever seen.

One of her hands is tightly holding a part of her pink dress, and the other hand is holding an angry-looking blonde woman sitting on the floor.

“Mate!” I declare.

She looks back and forth between my eyes as if she’s not only confused but also surprised.

Goddess... I don’t know if I deserve her.

I look away from her.

After everything I did... After all the pain I caused Maia...

When I met Maia, I was in a dark place. I had made the worst decisions of my life.

I destroyed our mate bond before we could even mark each other.

I suffered a lot with Maia’s decision to reject me then, but after I found out she was happy with someone else in her pack, I was relieved and happy for her.

She made the best decision for her, and even though we didn’t continue together, I will always root for her happiness.

I should have cherished Maia, but I was confused about my feelings toward Katie.

However, after discovering I was her and Ruby’s Protector, I realized what I felt for them was something other than love.

And I couldn’t be happier for her and Kaiden being together all these years. It’s been over 20 years since they forgave me after everything I did...

My bond with Katie has grown a lot since then, and despite Kaiden’s over-the-top possessiveness, he’s gotten used to me always being around for Katie.

*She was the most beautiful thing that had never been mine.*

My mate releases her hand from her dress and grabs the tip of my chin, making me look at her.

“You—” she winces from the pain in her throat, her eyes filled with agony for a moment. After clearing her throat, she starts talking again. “You! You are my fated mate,” she smiles at me.

Everyone gasps around us. Nox looks at the blonde woman holding hands with my mate. “How?” my mate says. When I don’t answer anything, her smile disappears, and she slowly releases my chin. “You don’t like me?”

“He’s not stupid! Of course, he liked you, Sandy! I’ll kill him if he rejects you!” The blonde woman looks at me with a deadly glare. The way she talks reminds me a little of Kaiden.

*Sandy*! That’s her name!

“That’s not it...” I look away again. Instead of continuing to kneel next to her, I sit back on my ankles, feeling defeated. “I don’t deserve you!” I finally explain in a low voice, looking down at my hands.

I don’t deserve someone as perfect as her. I have already accepted that it is my destiny to remain alone and pay for everything I did for everyone who suffered because of me.

The blonde woman looks hesitant for a moment. She looks like she wants to talk to Sandy.

“Uncle Chad, I’m sure you’ve paid for all your sins. You have been redeeming yourself ever since. You are a great man. If someone deserves to be happy, it’s you!” Nox says from my side, just like his mother, he only has kind words to say. I lift my gaze to him when he continues. “Besides, I’m sure Mom will kick your ass if you don’t allow yourself to be happy!” he says with a smile identical to Kaiden’s. The only thing Nox took after Katie was the shape of her eyes. Emma giggles behind me, I had already forgotten she was here. “Uncle Chad, the Moon Goddess placed Sandy in your path for a reason,” Nox says firmly.

I lean forward again. “Nox is right,” I hold her delicate hand. “If you want me, Sandy, if you accept our mate bond, I promise you I will spend every day of my life to make you happy,” I promise, looking straight into her beautiful eyes. “I’ve made many mistakes in this life, but I won’t let my mistakes define me! I’m not going to miss the second chance that the Moon Goddess is giving me,” I kiss her hand, and a tear appears in her eyes.

“Why are you crying?” I ask apprehensively and wipe her tear away with my thumb.

“It’s because... I waited for you for so long... I thought I would never find my fated mate,” before Sandy finishes speaking, I pull her into my arms and hug her.

On the floor, we hug each other momentarily as I enjoy sparks all over my skin.

Goddess... How could I confuse what I feel for Katie with this? I was so desperate to have her that I did not wait for your blessing!

“What are these fucking sins he was talking about?” the blonde woman crosses her arms and looks at Nox indignantly.

He smiles and bends down, kissing her forehead. She shakes her head in response. He seems to mindlink her.

Wait, who is she?

I tighten my arms around Sandy.

However, Sandy suddenly lets go, turning to the blonde woman. “Lexie?” she asks with wide eyes.

They don’t know each other? From how the blonde woman defended Sandy, I thought they knew each other. I was happy Sandy had someone like that around her.

The blonde woman, who has been frowning since I entered the living room, softens her demeanor. “Hi,” she says with tears in her eyes, but she doesn’t let the tears fall.

“How?” Sandy asks, walking over to her and hugging her.

“It’s a long story...” she replies.

“Sandy, are you hungry? You’ve been unconscious for a long time,” Nox asks.

Sandy’s face blushes, and Emma gets up from the armchair, “Don’t worry, honey! I’ll prepare something for you!” she says before leaving the living room.

The woman with cold eyes still has one arm around Sandy’s waist; they are beside me, kneeling on the floor. She tells me firmly, “Hey, you better not repeat your sins because if you hurt my Protector, I won’t hesitate to kill you!”

My eyes widen at her blunt threat.

Wait, *Protector*?

“Is Sandy your protector?” I ask her, still in disbelief. “Does this mean you have a red wolf?”

“Yeah, Uncle Chad. You two are Protectors,” Nox answers as he plays with the end of the woman’s cold eyes braid.

“Is he also a Protector?” Sandy asks, looking as incredulous as I do.

Goddess! I can’t believe this... I even tried to choose someone to be my mate, but during all these years, I haven’t found anyone who could understand my bond with Katie.

And now, you bless me with Sandy. And she’s a Protector!

Red wolves are so rare! How is this possible? My eyes glance back and forth between the woman with the cold eyes and Sandy.

Sandy turns to the woman beside her and says, with a shy smile. “I know we have a lot to talk about, but... Uhmm... Do you mind if I spend some time alone with him?”

The woman looks at me again coldly and crosses her arms. “Don’t fucking forget what I said!” Then she turns to my mate, with a softer look, “Okay... but don’t leave the packhouse.”

Sandy touches the woman’s face before speaking, “Okay. You know I can’t stay away from you, Lexie.”

The blonde woman looks as if she’s trying to stop herself from crying, “For God’s sake. Okay, go, go,” she waves her hand in front of Sandy, and I stand up and extend a hand to help her rise.

Sandy holds my hand, and the sparks run again through my skin. I start to guide her to my bedroom. “My bedroom has a beautiful garden view. I think you’ll like it,” I say as we walk, my hand caressing hers.

She gives me a beautiful smile in response. “You haven’t even told me your name yet, and you already want to take me to your bedroom?”

I open my mouth, not knowing what to say. Fuck! I didn’t even realize the double meaning of what I said. She giggles, “I’m messing with you. I heard that tall guy call you Chad!”

I smile back, now relieved. Well, not that I don’t have other intentions, but I think maybe she should get to know me first to ensure what she’s getting into.

“You’re a little tease, aren’t you?” I say. She surprises me, hugging me around the waist as we walk.

“I like your name,” she says, pressing her face into my arm.

“I like you,” I say, kissing the top of her head.

*My timing was always flawed. But with Sandy, I hope it would be different.*

🐺 🐺 🐺

***The Healer***

After that Chad guy took Sandy away, Nox and I sat on the couch that Sandy was lying on.

“That was crazy,” Nox says, putting his feet on the coffee table.

“As fuck,” I add.

Emma appears with a tray in her hand, “Where is she?” she asks, looking around.

“She’s upstairs with Uncle Chad,” Nox replies with a smile. “Do you want me to take it to her?” he offers.

“No, honey, don’t worry, I’ll take it myself,” she replies with a gentle smile. “They’re probably in his bedroom,” she says as she heads upstairs.

“Oh, my Goddess!” Nox abruptly sits up straight. “You won’t believe who’s coming here!”

“Who?” I ask, spinning around sharply to look at him.

“Aunt Vick went to get Kyrie, she mindlinked me, they’re already coming here!”

The minutes feel like hours as I wait, pacing back and forth for Kyrie.

When I finally feel Dana’s little witch’s presence, she appears in the living room next to a couple.

I look at Kyrie from head to toe, and she does the same to me. She has aged, but despite her white hair, she has no wrinkles on her face.

“Kyrie!” I run and hug her. The couple greets Nox, but I only care about her, “Oh my Goddess! Look at you!”

“Alexa? Is that really you?” she asks, still in disbelief.

“Yes, it’s me!” I say, tightening my arms around her thin body.

“You disappeared... But the last time I saw you, you were the same way you are now!” she says, confused. “What potion have you been putting on your face?” she teases with a giggle, and I let her go so she can breathe.

I hold her hand and guide her to sit on the sofa as if the packhouse belongs to me. In a way, it kind of belongs. If these walls are standing, it’s thanks to me.

“If I told you, you wouldn’t believe it!” I speak, and finally, I look at the couple next to Nox, looking at me curiously.

Kyrie points to the guy, “That’s my grandson Evan,” and then she points to the woman Nox called Aunt Vick. “That’s his fated mate.”

As she doesn’t say anything about his parents, I don’t ask. I’m afraid she’ll say they died too.

“Wow! He looks so much like Letum!” I say, smiling, but my heart sinks when I remember him.

The boy looks at me even more confused, “Did you know my grandfather?”

I don’t even know what to answer.

The sadness in Nox’s eyes is a mirror of mine. Nox approaches me and places an arm on my shoulder for comfort.

I clear my throat to compose myself, “Yeah... He was like a brother to me.”

Evan looks confused but nods after looking at Nox.

I don’t know what he sees in my mate’s eyes, but he doesn’t insist on knowing anything more, and I’m happy because I’m not ready to talk about Letum right now.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Evan says politely, raising a hand to me, and when I hold his hand he pulls me in and hugs me. “Actually, it’s a surprise that you told me you met my grandfather. He was always so quiet.”

When he releases the hug, I look at Kyrie, and she gives me a curt nod with sad eyes. And that is her telling me that if I tell Evan my name, he will know who I am.

“Yeah... That is our Letum,” I say with a smile, but the smile disappears when I continue. “Well, that was... Uhmm... That *was* our Letum.”

I sit back next to Kyrie, “I was going to come to you!”

“I couldn’t wait, I had to see our Prince,” Kyrie says looking at Nox with a gentle smile and he hugs her again.

I still haven’t gotten used to everyone calling him prince.

“Grandma, I’ll leave you here with your friend, but we’ll go home soon because it’ll be late for you to sleep,” Evan says, and Kyrie rolls her eyes.

“Do you see what I have to put up with?” She shakes her head but with a smile.

The couple goes up the stairs, leaving Kyrie, Nox, and me alone.

Kyrie touches the two bracelets around her slender wrist. The moon-shaped pendants swing.

“Isn’t Evan too young to be your grandson, Kyrie?” I ask. My curiosity is killing me.

Kyrie gasps dramatically, “Oh, Spirits! Are you calling me old?”

Nox sits in one of the armchairs with his hand in his pocket, looking worried. I ignore him and continue paying attention to her.

“Well, my son died shortly after Letum’s death,” she begins to explain while playing with her bracelets. “Despite my son meeting his fated mate shortly after his wolf appeared, they were unable to have children,” she says with a sad smile. “They only had Evan after a long time praying to the Goddess Selena! When Evan was born it was a victory for all of us.”

She pauses momentarily before continuing, and I place my hand on her thigh, “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. It’s okay.”

“No, it’s fine,” she replies. “When my son died, his fated mate returned to her parents’ pack, but my little Evan wanted to stay with me. And then he met Vick when they were still children. They didn’t know they were fated mates then, but it wasn’t a surprise when we found out. They have always been close since they met. Vick was a withdrawn child because she suffered a lot so early in her life, and as soon as she met Evan, she began to socialize with people. The sadness in my little Evan’s eyes due to the death of his father and grandfather gradually dissipated,” she takes her eyes off the bracelets and looks at me. “*I think one helped heal the other’s pain.*”

Even though she’s talking about Evan and Vick, I feel like she’s talking about herself too.

“Kyrie, why didn’t you ever tell me about Letum?” Nox asks almost indignantly, and I’m relieved because I was already getting fucking emotional again.

“Well, it was always tough to talk about him... After my Lightheart died, Lexi gave me a letter from her,” she points the tip of her chin at me and then goes on. “That letter helped me a lot. Just like it helped Letum... but when he also died,” she says, pressing her bracelets against her wrist. She tries to speak again, but my mate gets up and kneels before her. “It’s okay. I know,” he holds Kyrie’s fragile hands. “I have something for you,” he says graciously, and one of his hands goes into his pocket and takes out a bracelet.

The man’s bracelet is nowhere near as delicate as the ones Kyrie has on her wrist.

The smell of the bracelet owner invades my nose, and I remember who it belonged to very well. However, the last time I saw this bracelet, it was hidden inside Nox’s backpack, and Letum’s bracelet was broken.

Kyrie takes the bracelet from Nox’s hand and holds it to her nose, probably to smell it, too. “How, Prince?” she asks. “That belonged to my Warrior!”

Nox’s entire face turns red and flushed. “Uhm... It was broken, so I fixed it,” he answers instead. “Let me put it on your wrist,” he suggests.

I look at Nox, confused. Letum told me that he didn’t give him the bracelet. But I don’t say anything.

He places Letum’s bracelet next to the other two she already has around her wrist. The bracelet is a little loose but not enough to come off her hand.

“I don’t know how you did it, Prince, but thank you very much!” she says, hugging him tightly. Tears come out of her eyes without stopping. “You have no idea what this means to me!”

Little does Kyrie know he knows very well. Nox told me that he didn’t tell Dana about what would happen in the future, but he convinced her it would be good for Kyrie to have one last memory of her.

And then Dana wrote the letter and gave it to him because she would do anything for Kyrie.

Kyrie looks at her wrist—the three bracelets together—and wipes the tears with her free hand. With a renewed smile, she says, “Now it’s perfect.”