Page 34 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“Sure.” She patted my shoulder and smiled, then left.
What was I, chopped liver? He could have the common courtesy to ask me if I wanted to be “got.” And what did that even mean, anyway? Hegotwhat exactly?
The fact that Heather hadn’t argued, that she trusted Noah enough to leave me alone with him, unnerved me. Why did everyone else seem to see something in him that I was too afraid to acknowledge?
“Is it Roland? Is he okay? Did something happen?”
Noah’s simple questions about our well-being made me appreciate how unfamiliar I was with someone other than my family showing me sincere concern. Completely unaware, he unknowingly cracked the solid walls that guarded my resolve.
“Ro’s fine,” I said more sharply than I intended. “It’s not him.”
Noah tilted his head, his intense gaze penetrating right through my defenses.
I hesitated. Telling Noah everything felt like stepping into a spotlight, but I was under the pack’s protection, so I had to tellhim about my mother’s call. Not doing so risked not only my and Ro’s safety, but the people in Boldercrest’s as well. George was getting closer to us now that he knew I wasn’t with my mother and could show up here any minute, any day. The pack needed to be prepared.
“Look.” I struggled to find the right words to express myself. “You know there’s more to my situation than just... running away.”
“Come on,” Noah said, gently taking my elbow. “We’ll have more privacy in my office.”
We were in the middle of the gym, with more than one curious patron looking on. I nodded. As soon as the door closed behind us, the words spilled out.
“George—Roland’s father—isn’t just possessive, he’s dangerous,” I said. “I’m not using that word lightly. He’s a real and imminent threat. It’s bad.”
Noah’s expression darkened, his jaw setting in a hard line. “How bad?” he asked. His aura crackled with a fiery intensity.
“Bad enough that in the end, I feared for Ro’s life and mine every single day.” The raw confession hung between us. “He’s got a vast network of connections that he’ll use to his advantage. He isn’t afraid to exploit them in order to achieve his goals. George wants complete control. I escaped and took his son. He wants me back—not because he desires or loves me beyond reason, but because no one leaves George James. Nobody tells him no.”
The hair on my arms stood on end as a powerful energy made the walls vibrate. I nearly fell backwards. The intense alpha energy emanating from Noah made me want to flee from his office. It was a show of his dominance, a display of strength, a fierce warning to anyone who would dare harm those under his protection.
He must have noticed the effect he was having on me because the energy dissipated almost as quickly as it had surged. I watched him cautiously, and when he reached out towards me, I flinched, unable to conceal my fear.
A subtle change came over his face as remorse and shame started to settle in. “I’m so sorry,” he said in a low rumble. “My anger isn’t directed at you, Zoey. I swear. Only on your behalf.”
I swallowed hard, struggling to get my feet underneath me and regain my composure. His assurance did little to calm the tremors that danced along my nerves.
“Please, just listen to me,” Noah insisted. “You’re safe here in Boldercrest. I swear it on my life.” The conviction he projected brooked no argument, but it was the next words that truly sealed the deal. “George will not touch you or Roland. I’ll make damn sure of it. When I leave here, I’m going straight to speak to my father. We’ll amp up your protection,” he stated, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “And I’ll be personally seeing to it. You are both my responsibility now.”
“Why?” The question escaped me before I could stop it. Why would this man, this virtual stranger, go to such lengths to protect me and my son?
Noah stepped forward, close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in the sea of blue in his irises. He reached out to take my hand, then quickly pulled back. “Because that’s what we do here,” he said simply. “We look out for each other.”
Tears blurred my vision, unbidden and unexpected. A sob caught in my throat as the full impact of his words settled on me. I couldn’t fathom the depth of his caring, couldn’t wrap my head around the possibility that someone might actually care without wanting something in return.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice a faint breath, a ghost of sound.
Noah nodded, the lines of his face etched with determination and an unwavering resolve to protect.
I turned away, needing space, needing to breathe. As much as I longed to lean into the comfort he offered, I couldn’t afford to rely on someone else, not when so much was at stake. Not when my past was an ominous presence hovering over my future, ready to swallow up everything I loved.
“Zoey,” Noah called softly as I reached the door.
I paused but didn’t look back. “Please, just keep us safe,” I said, wanting to hurry out of the room, away from the warmth of his promise and the terrifying hope it ignited within me.
Before I could leave the office, Noah’s strong hand enveloped mine, sending a thrilling jolt of electricity up my arm. My breath hitched, and for a moment, I was frozen.
I became aware of my heart first. It was a drumbeat, too loud, too fast. I wiped my free palm on my pants, wanting to get rid of the sweat that had nothing to do with the physical exertion from class. The feeling curling up in my core was foreign, unwanted, and completely ridiculous. There was absolutely no way I could actually be attracted to Noah. Could there?
No. It had simply been so long since I encountered kindness that it was only natural I’d gravitate towards anyone who showed it.
