Page 176 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
She cupped my face. “You got out. You’re doing everything I couldn’t. And I am so, so proud of you.”
More tears escaped, but they were cleansing rather than bitter. “Thank you. That... that means a lot.”
Mom pulled Heather and me in close, hugging us both tightly. “I promise, girls. I’m going to be a better mother from now on. I can see now how much you both still need me. I’m sorry it’s taken me so long.”
I squeezed her back, feeling Heather’s arms tighten around us, too.
“We need each other,” Mom said. “All of us. We’re stronger together.”
“Absolutely,” Heather said. “No more running. From now on, we face things as a family.”
We stayed like that for a long time, holding each other, basking in the warmth of this newfound connection and unity we’d never really had before. It was strange and wonderful and a little terrifying all at the same time.
Finally, reluctantly, we pulled apart.
Heather glanced at her watch. “I should probably get you back to Noah’s.”
I nodded, wiping at my damp cheeks. “Yeah, Ro will be wondering where I am.”
We said goodbye, then headed out to Heather’s car. The drive back was quiet, but it was a comfortable silence with none of the tension I’d expected.
As Heather pulled up in front of Noah’s house, she gave me a small smile. “I’m really glad we did this, Zo. Talked to Mom.”
“Me too,” I said softly. “It feels... I don’t know. Like a weight’s been lifted, you know?”
“Definitely. I feel lighter than I have in years.”
“Do you think Mom will talk to Sam before she heads back home?”
Heather let out a long breath. “I don’t know. I hope so. I think they both need some closure, you know? But I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
I made a noise of agreement as I glanced toward the front door. Noah and Roland—this new family we were building together—were waiting for me inside.
I undid my seatbelt and hugged my sister tightly. “Love you, Heath. Thanks for today.”
“Love you, too, Zo. Always. Now go on. Your boys are waiting for you.”
Smiling, I got out of the car, my heart full and my spirit lighter than it had been in a very long time. Things weren’t magically fixed. There was still work to do, still healing to be done.
The door flew open before I could even reach for the handle. Ro bounced on the balls of his feet, grinning up at me.
“Guess what? I had the best morning with Noah. He took me to watch the pack training, and it was so cool!”
I smiled as I stepped inside. “Yeah? Tell me all about it.”
“Everyone listens to Noah and does what he says. I think it’s awesome that he’s the alpha.”
Noah came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. “I’m glad you had fun, buddy. I enjoy my role, but it’s a big responsibility.”
Ro nodded solemnly. “I know. I want to have my own pack someday. Wouldn’t that be cool?” He paused, scuffing his foot against the floor. “I still want to keep boxing, too, though. Could I do that, Noah? Be an alpha and still box?”
Noah put his hand on my son’s shoulder. “Ro, you can do anything you set your mind to. If you want to lead a pack and be a boxer, then that’s exactly what you’ll do. I’ll support you, no matter what.”
Ro’s face lit up, and he threw his arms around Noah’s waist in a quick hug. “Thanks, Noah. You’re the best.”
My heart melted as I watched the easy affection between them. Ro was already looking to the future and envisioning Noah in it. The bond that had formed between them went beyond the here and now.
Noah caught my gaze. The look that passed between us said more than words ever could. It was a silent promise. A shared dream.
