Page 162 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
And that was worth more than anything else in the world.
I pacedaround Noah’s living room, trying to ignore the unease churning in my gut. Noah had gone out with Mike to see if they could catch George’s scent, leaving me alone with Ro.
Well, not entirely alone. Lance stood guard outside, and a plainclothes officer watched from an unmarked car. But still, I couldn’t shake the feeling that George could strike at any moment.
A knock at the door made me jump. My heart raced as I peered through the peephole. Noah’s father stood on the porch, his posture stiff and awkward.
I opened the door cautiously. “Christian? Is everything okay?”
He cleared his throat. “I was hoping to speak with Noah. Is he around?”
I shook my head. “No, he’s out with Mike. Trying to track George.”
Christian’s jaw tightened. “I see.” He hesitated, then asked, “May I come in?”
I stepped aside to let him pass. As he settled onto the couch, I perched on the edge of an armchair, studying him. He looked tired. Worn down.
“Christian,” I said slowly, “I know it’s not my place, but... I think there are things you need to tell Noah.”
He stared at me, his expression guarded. “What do you mean?”
Ugh, it wasn’t my place, but I’d already started now. “Noah thinks you’re disappointed in him. That you don’t approve of his choices.”
Christian flinched as if I’d struck him. “That’s not true,” he said hoarsely. “I... I’ve always been proud of Noah. Of both my sons.”
“Then why haven’t you told him that?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “It’s complicated. I couldn’t always be there for his fights. My duties as alpha...”
“But you watched them, didn’t you?” I guessed. “Online, whenever you could.”
Christian’s eyes widened. “How did you know that?”
I shrugged. “Just a hunch. The way you talk about his career... you’ve been following it, even if you couldn’t be there in person.”
He nodded slowly. “I never missed a match. Even when I couldn’t watch live, I’d find a recording later.” His voice was rough with emotion. “It was hard, seeing him get hurt. The first time I attended in person, I almost shifted right there in the stands. Wanted to tear his opponent apart for daring to lay a hand on my son.”
I reached out and covered his hand with my own. “You need to tell Noah this. He deserves to know how much you care.”
Christian’s shoulders slumped. “I’ve made so many mistakes,” he whispered. “I don’t know if he can forgive me.”
“He will,” I said with certainty. “Because underneath it all, he loves you. He just wants to make you proud.”
Tears glimmered in Christian’s eyes. He blinked them back, then straightened. “You’re right. It’s time I made things right with my son.”
The determination on his face, the glimmer of hope, told me that things were finally going to change for the better between Noah and his father.
And I couldn’t wait to see it happen.
When Noah returned,Christian had already left.
“We caught George’s scent around the park,” he said grimly. “You were right, he’s been watching you. I don’t know how I missed it while we were there.”
My stomach twisted into knots. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to hold in the shivers. “What is he planning?” I whispered. “What’s he going to do next?”
Noah cupped my face in his large, warm hands. “Whatever it is, he won’t succeed.”
The conviction in his voice, the strength of his touch, soothed my frayed nerves. I leaned into him, resting my forehead against his chest. Noah held me close, stroking my hair.
