Page 148 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Zoey bit her lip, uncertainty flickering across her face. I could sense her inner struggle, the desire to keep Ro safe warring with her instinctive need for independence.
“I don’t know, Noah,” she said softly. “I don’t want to impose...”
“You wouldn’t be. I want to help, Zo. Please, let me be there for you both.”
She searched my face, looking for any hint of deception or ulterior motives. But all she found was sincerity and a genuine desire to support her.
Finally, she nodded. “Okay. We’ll stay with you until Ro’s gotten through this.”
Grinning, I watched her pack a bag for Ro before she went to her bedroom to get her things. A few days. It was a start. But if I had my way, those days would turn into weeks.
Months.
A lifetime.
Because deep down, I knew that’s where this was heading. It’s where I wanted it to go.
Zoey and Ro belonged with me. And I’d do whatever it took to make that happen.
The drive to my place was quick and quiet, the only sound the soft hum of the engine and Ro’s gentle snores from the backseat. He’d conked out the moment we hit the road, his body exhausted from the impending change.
Zoey sat beside me, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery. But I could tell her mind was miles away, lost in worried thoughts.
“He’s going to be okay, Zo,” I said, putting my hand on her knee. “I promise. He’ll probably sleep a lot until it happens.”
“I hate seeing him like this. So tired and feverish. It scares me.”
“I understand.” And I did. The first shift was always the hardest, for both the child and the parents. “But he’s strong, just like his mom. He’ll get through this.”
A small smile touched her lips at that, but it quickly faded when her phone started to buzz in her lap. Her face paled.
“What is it?” I asked, unease prickling along my spine. “Who’s calling?”
Zoey swallowed hard, her fingers trembling as she gripped the phone. “It’s an unknown number. It has to be George.”
A low growl rumbled in my chest. That bastard. “Put it on speaker. If it is him, I’ll speak to him.”
Zoey hesitated and glanced in the rearview mirror at Ro’s sleeping form. “I don’t know. What if he wakes up?”
“He’s out cold, Zo. And I need to hear what this asshole has to say.” My grip tightened on the steering wheel, the plastic creaking under my fingers.
With a shaky breath, Zoey answered the phone and put it on the console between us, keeping the volume low. “Hello?”
“Well, well, well. If it isn’t my best girl.” George’s cold, mocking voice came over the speaker. “I heard Noah pulled through. More’s the pity. Quite the hero, isn’t he? Shifting after being shot to come after the sniveling brat. I never thought of you as a fuck worth risking my life for, but maybe you’ll work a bit harder to change my mind when we’re reunited.”
I saw red, my vision narrowing to a pinpoint of fury. But before I could speak, George continued.
“Because make no mistake, sweetheart—we will be together. You belong to me. Next time I see you, it’ll be to reclaim my property. You and the boy. If Noah gets in the way, I’ll make damn sure he doesn’t pull through again.”
Zoey let out a choked sob, her hands flying to her mouth. I snatched the phone from the console.
“Listen up, you pathetic excuse for a man. Zoey is my mate.Mine.And if you come anywhere near her or Roland again, I will personally make sure that the next time anyone sees you, it’ll be on a coroner’s table.”
George laughed, the sound harsh and grating. “Big words, tough guy. You think you can take me on?”
“Anytime, anywhere.” I bared my teeth, even though he couldn’t see me. “I tracked you to your hideout, too, but like therat you are, you’d scurried off. So, let’s do this properly, James. Alpha to alpha, following shifter laws, I officially challenge you.”
The seconds ticked by silently. Then, “You’re on. I’ll be in touch.”
