Page 150 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“I feel weird,” he whined, wiggling around uncomfortably. “My skin feels all prickly and itchy.”
Noah appeared in the doorway, his expression sympathetic. “It’s normal. Your body is getting ready for the shift. You might feel a little grumpy and irritable for the next few days.”
I frowned, worry gnawing at my insides. “Is there anything we can do to help him feel better?”
“Actually, yeah,” Noah said. “Let’s go out to the backyard.”
Curious, I followed Noah and Ro outside. The fresh air felt good on my skin. Noah stepped a few paces away from us. In a fluid motion, he shifted, his human form melting away to reveal a magnificent wolf.
The sight of him took my breath away. His sandy-blond fur gleamed in the sunlight, and his blue eyes sparkled with intelligence and warmth. He moved with such ease that I knew his injury was no longer bothering him.
My face heated as I let my mind wander to other activities he might be capable of now that he was fully healed.
Noah padded over to Ro, nuzzling his hand with his soft muzzle. Slowly, a smile spread across Ro’s face, and he giggled as he ran his fingers through Noah’s thick fur.
“Wow,” Ro breathed, his earlier discomfort forgotten. “That’s so cool.”
I smiled, my heart swelling with love and gratitude for the incredible man who had come into our lives. Noah had a way of making everything better, of chasing away the darkness and filling our world with light and laughter.
Noah’s wolf circled Ro, brushing against him and covering him in his scent. Ro’s laughter filled the air as Noah’s fur tickled his skin, and the tension drained from his small body.
“He likes me, Mommy,” Ro said.
I smiled. “He sure does, baby. Noah loves you very much.”
Noah’s wolf rumbled in agreement. He nudged Ro under the chin, which sent my son into a fit of giggles. The sight of them together, so happy and carefree, made my heart swell with love.
After a few more moments of playing with Ro, Noah made his way over to me. His wolf rubbed against my legs, marking me as his territory, and a shiver ran down my spine at the possessive rumble that emanated from his chest.
I tangled my fingers in his fur, marveling at the strength and power that radiated from him. In this form, Noah was a force of nature, wild and untamed, and yet he would never hurt me or Ro. We were his to protect, his to cherish. That knowledge filled me with a sense of safety and belonging that I had never known before.
As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the backyard, I heard a car pull up in the driveway. Noah’s ears perked up, and he let out a soft bark before shifting back into his human form.
“That must be my mom,” he said. “She mentioned dropping by with dinner.”
I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach. I’d met Noah’s mother before, but I still wanted to make a good impression.
We headed inside as the doorbell rang, and Noah opened the door to reveal a petite woman with kind eyes and a warm smile. She held a large casserole dish in her hands, and the aroma of home-cooked food wafted through the air.
“Hey.” Noah kissed her cheek. “Come on in.”
“Hello, dear.” Her gaze landed on me and Ro, and her smile widened. “Zoey, Ro, it’s lovely to see you both again.”
I returned her smile, some of my nervousness fading at her friendly demeanor. “It’s nice to see you again, too, Angie. Thank you so much for bringing dinner.”
She waved a hand. “And it’s my pleasure. I love cooking for my boys.”
She’d said her “boys,” as though Nate were still here to cook for. I couldn’t imagine the pain and grief she’d endured from losing her son, yet here she was, smiling. If anything happened to Ro, it would kill me.
We settled around the dining table, and Angie served up generous portions of her casserole. As we ate, she regaled us with stories of Noah and Nate’s childhood, and I found myself laughing along with her.
Throughout the meal, I couldn’t help but notice the love and pride that shone in Angie’s eyes whenever she looked at Noah. She adored her son, and the realization made me think of my own mother. I had always craved a close relationship with her, but the abuse she’d suffered at the hands of my father had lefther broken and distant. Watching Angie and Noah interact, I longed to have that kind of bond with my own mother.
As the evening wore on, I found myself growing more comfortable in Angie’s presence. Before she left, I pulled her aside, my curiosity getting the better of me.
“Angie, can I ask you something?” I fell into the nervous habit of fidgeting with the hem of my shirt again.
“Of course, dear.”
