Page 118 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Kyler hesitated, his brow furrowing. “Look, Noah, I know I’m not a wolf. I don’t fully understand all this pack stuff. But do you think your relationship with Zoey might affect the way you lead? I mean, your dad seems to think?—”
“I don’t give a fuck what my father thinks.” I instantly regretted my harsh tone when Ky flinched. “I’m sorry, Ky. Zoey’s my fated mate. Giving up on her isn’t an option. It never will be.”
Kyler chewed his lip. “I get that, man. I do. But what about the pack? They need you, too.”
“And they’ll have me,” I said firmly. “My relationship with Zoey won’t change that. I made an oath, Ky, to be the best fucking alpha I can be. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
I stood up slowly, ignoring the twinge of pain in my abdomen as I paced the room as my mind raced. “My father may not like the way I’m handling things, but that’s his problem. He gave Zoey the pack’s protection. I stood up to challenge George through the proper channels. He couldn’t do it, so I did. Andnow I’m alpha.” I stopped, turning to face Kyler once more. “I won’t be guilted into choosing between my integrity and my father’s embarrassment. He’s not going to pull my strings, Ky. Not anymore.”
Kyler leaned back in the chair, arms crossed. “The way I see it, Noah, you’ve lost everything you loved to become alpha of the pack. A position that, until recently, you weren’t even sure you wanted.” He studied me for a moment. “Won’t you start to resent Zoey? Blame her for being pushed into a role you didn’t want?”
I froze, his question hitting me like a physical blow. The room fell silent except for the steady beep of the monitor.
Finally, I spoke. “After Nate’s death, I knew I would have to assume the role of the alpha. Did I think I was going to go straight into the role as soon as I came home? No. I assumed I’d have a year or two to devote to establishing the gym and working with my father to learn the intricacies of the role. Zoey... Zoey accelerated the timeline. I’d never resent her. Never.” I turned to face him. “Fated mates, Ky. It’s like two puzzle pieces perfectly designed to fit together. They share a unique compatibility that makes them destined to be together. And for a shifter to deny their fated mate? It’s not something you can do lightly.”
Kyler’s lips pressed into a thin line. “But what about Zoey? Don’t you think she deserves to know? She’s been through so much already. Is it fair to put that kind of pressure on her?”
“No, it’s not. And I don’t plan on telling her. Not yet, anyway.” I shuffled to the window and stared out at the bustling city below. “She deserves to know, but only when George is off her back. I won’t make her feel trapped. Not like he did.”
Silence stretched between us, heavy with the weight of unspoken fears and uncertainties. Kyler was just looking out for me, and for Zoey. But he didn’t understand the pull of a fated mate, the undeniable connection that went beyond logic or reason.
I turned back to face him, my jaw set. “I won’t hurt her. Quite the opposite. If it’s up to me, George James will never hurt anyone again.”
“All right. I trust you.” Kyler rose and moved to stand beside me. “But if you ever need to talk, or if you think Ro could benefit from speaking to someone who’s been in a similar situation, I’m here. Always.”
I clasped his shoulder, a silent “thank you” passing between us. “I know, Ky. I know.”
As we stood side by side, the weight of our shared history and the challenges that lay ahead settled over us like a heavy fog. Kyler was right to be cautious, to question the potential impact on Zoey. But deep down, I continued to remind myself that our connection was meant to be, that the universe had brought us together for a reason.
I leaned against the hospital bed, and with Ky’s help, I slowly got back in. Ky was right, of course. Zoey deserved to know the truth about our connection, about the unbreakable bond we shared as fated mates. But the timing had to be perfect.
Kyler and I sat in silence, lost in our own thoughts. I could see the pain behind his eyes, presumably as his memories of his own mother’s toxic relationship resurfaced. It was a wound that never fully healed, but it had shaped him into the man he had become.
“About the boxing match,” I said, breaking the tense stillness, “I don’t think we should cancel it.”
Kyler’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Are you sure? With everything going on...”
I shook my head. “The kids have put in too much work, and they’re looking forward to it. We can’t punish them for something that’s out of their control.”
“But what about George? What if he tries something?”
“We’ll just have to be vigilant,” I replied. “Keep an eye out for any signs of him or his men. But we can’t let fear dictate our lives. We have to keep moving forward. Besides, I don’t think he’d try anything with the kids.”
Kyler squinted and scuffed his toe against the baseboard. “You’re right. We’ll make it work.”
“There’s something else I wanted to talk to you about.” I shifted around the bed to get more comfortable. “With my new responsibilities as alpha, I might not be able to spend as much time at the gym.”
“Do you think we should hire someone else to work with your clients?” Kyler asked.
“The budget won’t cover it right now, especially with Carla taking on the self-defense classes and the aerobics and spin sessions.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“If you’re willing to work with me, I’d like to keep teaching at the gym part-time. I haven’t figured out all the details yet, but I’m sure we can find a way to bring the pack paperwork into the twenty-first century. Kicking and screaming, if necessary.”
A grin spread across Kyler’s face. “You know I’m always down to kick and scream with you, man.”
I chuckled. “I may not be able to work full-time, but I’m not giving up on the gym. It’s too important to me. To us.”
