Page 164 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
I shifted back to human form and rushed over. Roland fought against Lance’s grip, green eyes wild and unfocused.
“Let him go,” I said. “I’ve got him.”
Lance looked uncertain but released Roland. The young wolf lunged forward, but I caught him easily, wrapping my arms around his writhing form.
I pulled on the pack bond between us, letting the full force of my alpha authority flow through it. “Roland James! Snap out of it!”
Roland whined high in his throat, still straining against my hold. George’s summons pulled at him like a siren song, and I knew it was almost impossible to resist. A newly shifted wolf had no chance against it.
But I’d be damned if I let that bastard take Roland from me. From us.
“Fight it.” I struggled to overpower George’s influence. “You’re stronger than him. Don’t let him control you.”
I thought of my own father then, and the one time he had used his alpha summons on me and my brother. We’d been teenagers, sneaking out to meet up with some human friends in town. Dad had been furious. The force of his dominance had nearly brought us to our knees.
But this wasn’t the same. I wasn’t my father. And I sure as hell wasn’t going to let George tear apart our family.
Slowly, incrementally, Roland’s resistance lessened. He shuddered, then went limp, sagging against me in exhaustion. I cradled his smaller form to my chest.
“That’s it,” I said. “You did good, kiddo. Real good.”
Roland shifted back to his human self, tears streaming down his face. “Make it stop, Noah,” he pleaded. “He keeps calling me. I don’t want to go with him. Please...”
My heart clenched. This kid had been through enough. George’s cruelty knew no bounds.
I glanced over at Zoey and saw the anguish on her face, the barely restrained fury.
Cupping Roland’s face, I forced him to meet my steady gaze. “Listen to me. Focus on my voice. George has no power over you anymore. You’re part of our pack now. My pack.”
He blinked up at me, eyes glassy with fear and confusion. “But he’s my dad...”
“No,” I growled, the word tasting like acid on my tongue. “He lost that right the second he laid a hand on you. On your mom. Blood doesn’t make you family. Love does. And I promise you, Roland, I love you. I will always protect you. No matter what.”
Fresh tears spilled over, but this time, I saw a flicker of hope in those green depths. Roland clutched at my shirt, burying his face against my shoulder.
I held him close, letting my presence soothe his trembling form. Over his head, I locked eyes with Zoey, seeing my own resolve mirrored back at me.
I held Roland close for a few moments longer, letting him draw strength from my presence. When his trembling subsided, I gently pulled back, keeping my hands on his shoulders as I looked him in the eye.
“Ro, I need to ask you something important,” I said. “Will you accept me as your alpha and dedicate yourself to the Boldercrest pack?”
Roland’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and uncertainty flickering across his face. “What... what does that mean?”
“It means that you’ll be tied to me, to our pack. George’s bond with you will be broken. He won’t be able to summon you or get inside your head anymore.”
“But...” Roland glanced at his mother. “If I join your pack, and Mom wants to leave...”
Zoey stepped forward and knelt beside us. She clasped Roland’s hand. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. This is our home now. Our family.”
Roland still looked scared, his gaze darting between us. I squeezed his shoulders, drawing his attention back to me.
“I promise you, I will never use my summons on you against your will. I’m not George. I will never hurt you or your mom. You’ll always be safe with me, with our pack.”
Seconds ticked by as Roland considered my words, searching my face for any sign of deception. Finally, he nodded, a small, hesitant motion.
“Okay,” he whispered. “I’ll do it. I’ll join your pack.”
Relief washed over me, and I let out a big breath. I gave Roland a reassuring smile.
