The Alphas Sister (Complete)

Chapter Twenty-Three: Tangled Vines and Quiet Promises

We walked another ten minutes, silence wrapping us like a soft blanket—perfect, unbroken. My leg twinged, a dull ache lingering from Cade's claws, but Electra matched my slow pace, her arm brushing mine, tingles sparking with every step. The pack house faded behind us, cedar walls swallowed by rolling fields, and I let her nearness ease me—no words, just us.

She stopped sudden, green eyes flicking to the vineyard stretching across the land—rows of grapevines heavy with purple fruit, leaves rustling in the late afternoon breeze. "Wanna rest over there?" she asked, pointing, her voice light.

I looked down, her wildflower scent hitting me, and smiled. "Sure." She tugged my hand—wrapped fingers flexing, stiff but workable—and led me between the rows. Dirt crunched under my boots, vines arching overhead, casting dappled shadows. She plopped down, cross-legged, and I eased beside her, leg stretched out to spare the tenderness.

She reached up, plucking a few grapes—juice beading on her fingers—and popped one in her mouth. "How's your leg today? You're favouring the other one." Her brow furrowed, studying me.

I snagged a couple grapes, their sweet tang bursting as I chewed. "Fine—just tender. Mate magic's doing its thing." I grinned, then softened, searching her face. "It's you I'm worried about. All that adoption stuff—you're taking it damn well."

She shrugged, plucking another grape, rolling it between her fingers. "Guess I always felt... different. I don't even look like them—Mom's dark hair, Dad's hazel eyes, Cade's bulk. I'm just... me." She giggled, light but real. "Cade's face, though—did you see it? Pure shock."

I laughed, head tipping back. "Yeah, thought he'd keel over—heart attack material." Her grin widened, infectious.

A grape thwacked my forehead, juice dripping. I blinked, staring at her—she batted her lashes, all innocence, lips twitching. "Did you just throw that at me?" I asked, mock stern.

She bit her lip, failing to hide a smirk, and lobbed another—bouncing off my chest. I growled, low and playful, a warning rumble in my throat—not mad, just daring her. She saw through it, tossing a third grape, laughter bubbling free.

"Alright, that's it!" I lunged, fingers digging into her sides, tickling mercilessly. She shrieked, collapsing into the dirt, laughter wild—"Nooo! Stop!"—until I eased off, breathless, grinning down at her.

I froze—leaning over her, hands braced in the soil, her brown hair fanned out, green eyes sparkling. Her lips parted, soft and close; mine hovered, drawn in. I closed the gap, kissing her gentle—tingles exploded, warm and electric, racing from my lips across my skin. I growled low, pleasure humming, and pulled back, eyes shut. "Wow," I breathed, dazed, mind spinning with her taste—grapes and wildflowers.

She shifted beneath me, and I opened my eyes—Goddess, she was beautiful, dirt-smudged and glowing. "Wow," she echoed, grinning. "Way better than our first kiss."

I rubbed our noses, tingles flaring at the touch. "I'm so glad I found you." My voice cracked, raw with it—her, my mate, here.

"Me too." She smiled, then shyly added, "You know... I've always had a crush on you."

My eyes widened. "Really? I had no clue."

She nodded, blushing. "Yeah, but you were into other girls—you didn't see me. You saw me like a little sister, right?" Her smile faltered, sad.

I nodded slow. "I guess so. Then I saw you at the airport—everything changed." That red dress, her curves, her laugh—Natalie's ghost faded that day.

She ducked her head. "Really?" I nodded, and she blushed deeper. "I wore that dress for you. I caught you staring and knew it worked."

My hand cupped her cheek, turning her to me—skin soft, tingles warm. "That's when I started falling for you." If Cade hadn't made that damn rule, I'd have chased her then—no hesitation.

I faltered, words tangling. "If Cade... if he hadn't—" I sighed, frustrated. "I think I knew you were mine, but his rule..."

She smiled, soft and sure. "I felt it too—I thought you were avoiding me. Now I get why." Her grin grew. "I forgive you, Kyan. You were just following what Cade said. Now we can be together." She pulled me down, lips crashing into mine.

The kiss deepened fast—hungry, fierce. I nipped her bottom lip; she moaned, pressing closer, tongue brushing mine. I sank to my elbows, body settling over hers—hardness grazed her thigh, and I groaned loud, tingles erupting, wild and hot. She stiffened beneath me, and I shot up, heart sinking. "Sorry—that was an accident." My voice cracked, shame twisting—I didn't mean to push her.

She sat up, eyes anywhere but mine. "It's fine... just caught me off guard." Her cheeks flamed, shy—maybe less experienced than I'd thought.

Guilt gnawed—I'd made her uneasy, my mate, the one I'd never hurt. "Maybe we should head back?" she asked, offering her hand, voice small.

I took it, tingles muted by worry, and we walked back silent—her pace slow, my leg aching less, but my mind churned. I'd screwed up, lost control. What if she pulled away now?

Dinner saved me—hours out had my stomach snarling. We sat at the pack house table—long oak, scarred from years—plates piled with roast elk and potatoes. Small talk flowed: patrols, the vineyard's yield, dumb stuff. She was shy at first, picking at her food, but loosened up—giggling at my bad elk pun, her elbow nudging mine. Relief eased my chest.

After, we hit her room. Purple walls glowed under fairy lights, stuffed wolves lining the dresser—a sanctuary. I kicked off my boots and socks, peeled my shirt—muscles stiff, scratches faded to lines—and tossed it aside. Electra rummaged her drawers, sighed, then snatched my shirt. She ducked into the bathroom, emerging in it—too big, hem skimming her thighs, black underwear peeking as she moved. Torture, pure and sweet—Goddess, she'd kill me slow. I wouldn't push, though—never.

I climbed into bed, propping against the headboard, a pillow cushioning my back. She bent to the TV—my shirt riding up, that black flash again—and I growled low, heat stirring. She glanced back, curious. "You okay?"

"Just... yeah," I muttered, nodding, fighting it down.

She popped in The Notebook—not my pick, but her smile made it fine—and slid beside me, head on my chest. Her warmth sank in, tingles soft now, steady. I ran my fingers through her hair—silk between my knuckles—until her breathing slowed, asleep against me.

I kissed her head, wildflowers lingering. "I love you, my beautiful mate," I whispered, voice thick—first time I'd said it aloud, but it'd been true since the airport.