Page 104 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
I took another step forward, ignoring the sweat beading on my brow. “Let Roland go, George. That’s all I’m asking. You don’t want to add kidnapping to your list of charges.”
I watched Ro try both back doors of the car, but the child locks must have been engaged,
For a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of hesitation in George’s eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by cold, hard determination.
“You’re in no position to negotiate, Noah,” he said. “Get on your fucking knees. It’s time to end this.”
I kept my hands raised, palms open, as I faced George across the empty street. The metallic scent of my blood mingled with the crisp night air. Inside, my wolf howled in protest at my passive stance. He wanted to destroy George, tear out his throat for threatening our mate’s pup.
I clenched my jaw, holding firm. It was too risky with Roland still here.
George smirked, the gun steady in his grip as he aimed it at my chest. “Not so tough now, are you, mutt? Without your pack to back you up?”
“I don’t need a pack to take you down. Put the gun away before you get hurt.”
George barked out a harsh laugh. “Big words from a lone wolf bleeding out in the street. I’m going to enjoy putting a bullet between your eyes.”
My wolf thrashed against my mental barriers, desperate to break free and rip George limb from limb. But shifting now wouldn’t help. He’d shoot me again before I could reach him.
I took a slow breath, refusing to let my rising fear and frustration show. Roland’s face peeked out from the backseat, his green eyes wide with terror as they met mine. When Georgeglanced over his shoulder to check the surroundings, I gave the boy a quick nod, trying to convey reassurance I didn’t fully feel myself.
George turned back to me with a sneer. “Pathetic. You really thought you could play hero? Save the day and win the girl? You get nothing, Noah, and I get everything. Including Zoey.”
“This isn’t about Zoey,” I ground out, though my heart clenched at the mention of my fated mate. “It’s about you being a sorry excuse for a father. Roland deserves better.”
George’s face twisted with rage, and he took a menacing step forward. “Shut your mouth. You don’t know anything about being a father. That boy is mine, and I’ll do whatever I damn well please with him.”
Roland flinched at the venom in his father’s voice, shrinking back against the seat. It made my blood boil hotter than any fever. I kept my hands raised, hating the illusion of surrender even as I racked my brain for a plan.
“Last chance, George. Put the gun down and let Roland go before this gets any uglier than it already is.”
George barked out a harsh laugh and looked around again. “You’re on the wrong end of the barrel to be making demands, Alexander.”
While he was distracted with his gloating, I flicked my gaze to Roland and gave a subtle hand signal for him to open the door and run. The boy’s terrified expression morphed into one of understanding.
As George continued his mocking tirade, Roland carefully climbed over the center console into the front passenger seat.
My heart hammered against my ribs, my wolf’s eyesight straining to watch as Roland’s hand curled around the door handle.
Come on, buddy. You can do this.
I forced myself to keep my attention on George, determined not to give away the escape attempt. “You’re a coward, James,” I spat, ignoring the flare of agony from my gunshot wound. “Hiding behind a weapon because you know you’d never beat me in a fair fight.”
George’s eyes flashed with indignant fury. He opened his mouth to retort, but the click of the passenger door unlatching cut him off.
In the space of a breath, the door swung open, and Roland launched himself out of the car. His feet hit the pavement, and he ran away from the confrontation as fast as his legs could manage.
“Run, Roland!” I roared, all pretense abandoned. “Get out of here!”
George’s head whipped. His expression contorted with rage as he realized what had happened. “You bastard!”
He raised the gun, aiming it at Roland’s back. Terror seized my heart. I couldn’t let him hurt that boy.
Ignoring the searing pain, I lunged forward, throwing my full weight against George. The gun went off, the shot going wide as we crashed to the ground in a tangle of limbs.
George snarled, trying to aim the gun at me. I grappled with him, my fingers closing around his wrist. We rolled across the rough asphalt, wrestling for control.
But blood loss and injury had taken their toll. George wrenched his arm free and slammed the butt of the gun against my temple. Stars exploded across my vision.
