Page 146 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Surprise flickered across my dad’s weathered face before he nodded slowly. “I threw a lot at you when you came back. I shouldn’t have expected you to catch on to everything right away.” He hesitated. “Your brother had years to study pack management. I shouldn’t have pushed so much on you so soon after...”
My brother’s absence hung heavy between us, and as I looked at my father, I saw the same grief in his eyes that I felt in my heart.
I cleared my throat. “I’m here now, and I’m ready to learn. I want to do right by our pack. Make them proud to call me their alpha.”
My father’s lips twitched into a small smile. “You’re already on your way, son. Today proved that.”
Pride swelled in my chest at his rare praise. We were truly connecting, moving past old grudges and misunderstandings.
An awkward silence stretched between us. We both cleared our throats, shifting our weight. My father glanced at his watch and muttered something about needing to head out.
“Right, well...” I rubbed the back of my neck. “Thanks again for your help today. It means a lot.”
He gave a curt nod. “You’re welcome. Keep up the good work.” With that, he strode out of the office, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I exhaled slowly and gathered my things. As I stepped outside, the crisp autumn air filled my lungs. Leaves crunched under my feet as I made my way toward Zoey’s place.
I knocked on her door, my heart thudding in my chest. Moments later, it swung open, and my wolf howled with pure joy when we saw her standing there. Ro peeked out from behind her.
“Noah, hey.” She smiled, but I could see the weariness in her eyes. “Come on in.”
I stepped inside, ruffling Ro’s hair as I passed. “Hey, buddy. How’s it going?”
He grinned up at me, but his eyes looked a bit hollow, like he was fighting off a cold or something. “Good. Mom and I were just about to watch a movie.”
“Sounds fun.” I glanced at Zoey, noting the tension in her shoulders. “Actually, do you mind if I borrow your mom for a minute? I need to talk to her about something.”
Ro shrugged as he plopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. “Okay.”
Zoey led me into the kitchen, where she leaned against the counter. “What’s up?”
This wasn’t going to be easy. “I talked to your mom. She’s agreed to come visit.”
She gaped at me. “She did? I mean… are you sure you got through to the right person?”
I chuckled and rubbed her arm. “Yeah. It’ll be good for you two to talk, try to work through some things.”
“Yeah, maybe.” She looked away, biting her lip. “It’s just so complicated. She hasn’t exactly been the most present mother, you know? I really didn’t expect her to agree to come.”
I kept rubbing her arm. “I get it. But maybe this is a chance to start fresh, build a better relationship.”
She met my gaze, a flicker of hope in her eyes. “You think so?”
“I do.” I smiled. “And hey, if nothing else, it’ll be good for Ro to see his grandma, right?”
As if on cue, Ro came barreling into the kitchen. “Is my grandma really coming?”
Zoey laughed as she scooped him into a hug. “Yeah, baby. She is.”
Ro chewed on the inside of his cheek and gave her a worried look. “Do you think she’ll like me in real life?”
“Of course she will. She loves you when you talk on the phone, doesn’t she?” Zoey said, then kissed his forehead.
Heather came downstairs, slinging her purse over her shoulder. “Hey, I’m gonna head out.”
“Oh, okay.” Zoey set Ro down. “See you later. Don’t stay out too late.”
Heather hugged her. “Call me if you need anything, okay?”
