Page 41 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Guilt. The realization was a bitter pill, and I swallowed it down with difficulty. How had I not seen what Noah had? Was it purely a shifter thing? Or had Roland been shielding me from his pain?
I hoped Noah’s boxing training could help Ro get control of his emotions and that he’d help him with his first shift. Becauseif Noah was right, Sam and Heather wouldn’t be able to help, no matter how much they wanted to. And I didn’t want my son in any more pain.
“Come on, kiddo, you’re supposed to be sleeping,” I said, leading him back to his bedroom, where I tucked him into bed.
I brushed his dark hair away from his face and planted a noisy kiss on his forehead. “Sleep.”
He yawned loudly. “Okay. Can Auntie Heather come tomorrow?”
“We’ll see,” I said, leaving the small night light on, casting a soft glow throughout the room. “Good night, Ro. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Mommy,” he mumbled.
I walked through to my own bedroom and changed for bed. I didn’t think I’d sleep with everything still so close to the surface, but when I opened my eyes, I was surprised to discover I’d slept through the night.
Ro was upand dressed without any fuss, eagerly awaiting his next boxing lesson.By the time breakfast was finished and I’d washed the dishes, I discovered we had forty minutes to get to the gym—much to Ro’s delight.
“Are you coming, Auntie Heather? You’ve got to come and see me box. Please?”
“Yup,” Heather said, smiling. “I sure am. Let’s get your gym clothes ready.”
“Can I wear the shorts and T-shirt Noah gave me?”
They went up to his bedroom, their voices gradually fading into whispers. It gave me a few minutes alone to prepare myself to see Noah again.
I didn’t quite understand the attraction I felt towards Noah. After everything I’d been through, I hadn’t thought I’d ever have feelings for another man, but when Noah had touched my handin his office, there’d been a spark. A warmth I hadn’t felt in too long.
But I couldn’t think of such things now. Luckily, I had become accustomed to wearing a mask in front of George, which allowed me to hide my reactions from observant shifters.
It was, however, something else to ask the therapist about. I made a note on my phone to get Heather’s recommendations and schedule an appointment.
When we entered Vitality Athletics, the sounds of clanging weights and thumping music surrounded us as we made our way through the maze of equipment. When Ro spotted Noah, he charged towards him without hesitation, yesterday’s timidity forgotten.
I gazed around the gym, toying nervously with the hem of my shirt, then stopped as if my fingers had been burned. It was a nervous habit I hated and was trying to break.
“You never told me Noah was famous,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.
Heather laughed. “Ah, Noah’s little stint in the spotlight?” she said, waving a dismissive hand. “I didn’t think it mattered much. Fame’s fleeting, especially in the boxing world.”
“Little? I’m not so sure I’d call it a little stint, Heather. He won a lot of titles. It’s... unexpected.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “And how would you know how many titles he’s won?”
My cheeks heated and threatened to turn a rosy shade, but I tamped it down and smiled blandly. “He told me to Google him so he could prove to me he was a suitable guide for Ro after he caught him using his alpha energy.” I wasn’t going to tell her about the hours since, reading up on his accomplishments and even watching some of his matches on YouTube.
“It doesn’t really matter, Zoey,” Heather said. “To people here in Boldercrest, he’s just Noah, our soon-to-be alpha. Thatmeans more to the shifters than any shoelace, or ribbon, or whatever they win at a boxing match.”
“Belt, Heather,” I corrected. “They win a belt and a title.”
When I saw her smug grin, I could almost see the victory dance she was doing in her head. She’d played me.
We approached the ring, where Noah was helping Ro into a pair of boxing gloves and fastening headgear on his head. Concern shot through me. No punching bag today.
“Hey,” Noah said when he saw me. He must have noticed the worry on my face because he nodded reassuringly. “He’ll be fine.”
My heartbeat slowed ever so slightly, but the tight knot in my stomach wouldn’t budge. Noah turned back to Ro, and I watched on anxiously.
“Step in, Ky.”
