Page 186 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Heather sidled up to me, her eyes sharp as she followed my gaze. “You think they’ve got a shot?” she asked quietly.
I shrugged, flipping another burger. “I don’t know. Mom hurt him pretty badly. It’s a lot to come back from.”
Heather grunted. “Yeah, well, she’s got a lot to make up for. To all of us.”
I reached out and squeezed her hand. We’d both weathered so much, fought so hard to build lives free from the shadows of our past. And now, here we were, surrounded by the warmth and love of our chosen family.
Noah slipped his arm around my waist, his solid presence anchoring me. I leaned against him, breathing in his comforting scent. For a moment, the world fell away, and it was just the two of us, our hearts beating in sync.
“Food’s ready,” Noah announced, breaking the spell.
As our family gathered around the table, plates piled high with burgers and sides, laughter and conversation flowing freely, I let myself sink into the simple joy of the moment. The wounds of the past were still healing, but for now, we had this. We had each other. And that was enough.
I excused myself from the table, heading inside to grab more meat from the fridge. As I made my way through the house, a sharp knock at the front door startled me.
Who could that be? Everyone was already here.
Curious, I opened the door just in time to see a mail truck pulling away from the curb. On the porch sat a package addressed to me.Huh. Had Noah ordered something for me as a surprise?
Smiling, I picked up the box and carried it inside. Setting it on the kitchen counter, I grabbed a knife and sliced through the tape.
The moment I opened the flaps, a cloud of dust exploded in my face, filling my nose and mouth. I stumbled back, coughing and sputtering, my lungs burning with each breath.
What the hell? My vision blurred, the room spinning around me as I gasped for air. Panic clawed at my throat, my chest tightening with each wheezing breath.
I had to get help. Noah. I needed Noah.
My legs felt like lead as I staggered toward the door. The world tilted and swayed, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision.
I pushed through the door, my knees buckling as I stumbled onto the patio. Noah’s name tore from my lips—a ragged, desperate plea—as I fought to stay conscious.
The last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me was Noah’s face, his blue eyes wide with fear as he ran toward me, his arms outstretched to catch me as I fell.
My eyelids fluttered open,the sterile white of a hospital room slowly coming into focus. A weight on my face. An oxygen mask. I reached up to remove it, needing to orient myself, but a hand caught mine.
“Don’t.” Noah’s voice, normally so warm, held an edge I’d never heard before. “You need to keep that on.”
I turned my head, his face swimming into view. The hard set of his jaw, the fury burning in his eyes. He looked murderous.
“What... happened?” I croaked, my throat raw and scratchy.
Noah’s hand tightened around mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “The dust in that box was laced with toxic chemicals. Poison.”
My heart stuttered, fear coiling in my gut. Toxic chemicals? Someone had tried to... to what? Kill me?
“The doctors say you’re going to need oxygen treatment. For the next twenty-four hours at least.” His words were clipped, his control slipping.
I blinked back tears. Twenty-four hours. To make sure there was no permanent damage. To make sure I’d survive this.
My gaze darted around the room, taking in the worried faces of my family and friends. My mom, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. Heather, clutching my mom’s hand like a lifeline.
But there was one face missing. One small, precious face that I needed to see more than anything.
“Where’s Ro?” I asked.
Noah’s expression softened just a fraction. “He’s with Sam. He was upset. Scared. Sam thought it’d be best to take him for a walk so he could calm down.”
I nodded, my heart aching for my little boy. God, he had to be so afraid and confused. I needed to hold him, to reassure him that I was okay. That I wasn’t going anywhere.
