Page 46 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Her head tilted, and she gave me a curious once-over. “A shifter, a boxer, an alpha, and a gentleman.” A playful smile tugged at her lips. “Your head must get exhausted wearing all those hats.”
I barked out a laugh.
Though I’d stretchedit out as long as I could, the evening had to end. My wolf pissed at me for letting her go, wanting me to take her and make her mine. He really didn’t understand the concept of patience, not when it came to our mate.
As we walked to Zoey’s car, a sudden chill skittered down my spine, and I immediately went on high alert. The air was still—too still. The absence of bird calls and nocturnal creatures created an unsettling atmosphere. An eerie presence seemed to seep out of the shadows. My veins pulsed with raw power, my instincts finely tuned for the hunt, but I concealed my concern, not wanting to alarm Zoey.
She got in her car and rolled down the window. “Thank you. Dinner was lovely.”
“If you ever want company or just feel like talking, give me a call,” I said.
Her smile was shy but genuine. It spread slowly, lighting up her face and reaching places inside me I hadn’t known were cold. Something warm bloomed in my chest as she drove away.
I lingered, watching the taillights vanish into the night before turning my attention to the surroundings. Something felt off. There was an oily substance to the atmosphere, heavy with intent and malice. Someone had been here, watched us, and they were not pleased.
I sniffed the air, opening myself up to the more subtle cues of the environment. That’s when it hit me. That same distinct scent I’d encountered at Heather’s place. There was no mistaking that particular odor of hostility and something foul, like spoiled milk.
A low growl rumbled in my throat. The gravel crunched beneath my boots as I surveyed the lot, every muscle coiled tight, ready to spring. My wolf was close to the surface, hackles raised, a silent snarl vibrating through me. No one was in sight, but that meant nothing.
I grabbed my phone and dialed. “Hey, Mike.” My father’s most trusted beta was watching Heather’s place. “Stay alert. She’s on her way back now. Lance should be behind her. Traffic’s light, so I didn’t want him following directly from the restaurant. He’s two blocks down. I messaged him before we left.”
“Yeah, he’s got her, boss. We’re all here. Nothing’s getting past us.”
“Good. Let me know the moment she’s safe inside.”
I ended the call, shoving the phone back into my pocket. I walked to my car, straining my senses to their absolute limits. As I opened the door, there was a minute change in the air pressure to my right. Without thinking, my hand shot out and clamped around a stranger’s throat.
“Good instincts,” he choked out, smirking despite the pressure I put on his throat. The arrogance of the man was staggering. I didn’t need an introduction to know this was George James, Zoey’s scumbag ex. He reeked of the same negative hatred I’d scented near her sister’s place.
“Should’ve known better, George,” I growled, my grip tightening enough to make his face darken as blood flow was restricted. “Sneaking up on an alpha is bad enough, but trying to blindside a boxer?” I shook my head in faux concern. “That’s not very smart.”
“Can’t... breathe...” he gasped, clawing at my hand.
It would be so easy to keep up the pressure, to watch the life leave the fucker, to free Zoey from his clutches. Even if it was self-defense, the courts wouldn’t look kindly at me taking someone’s life. Since I was a skilled fighter, it would be challenging to argue that the fight was fair.
“Remember this feeling,” I snarled. “How it feels to have your breath stolen from you. Next time, I might not let go.”
With a grunt, I shoved him away from me. George stumbled back, a hand flying to his neck as he greedily sucked in air. His neck was already bruising, his face a mottled red from the lack of oxygen. He straightened, dusting off his clothes as if to regain some semblance of dignity.
“You’ll pay for that,” George rasped out.
Anger flared within me, hot and raw. My wolf pushed against my skin, demanding retribution. The nerve of this man, thinking he could intimidate me with empty promises of vengeance.
“Is that so?” I challenged, my stance wide and ready.
Fear flashed across George’s features, genuine fear that made him look almost human. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, hard appearance of a man used to getting his way. He took a step back, his chest puffed out in an attempt to regain control and assert his dominance.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Noah Alexander.”
His words, laced with menace, slid off me like water. He’d done his research, but I wasn’t about to let the likes of him get to me.
“Stay away from Zoey, or you’ll regret it.” George sneered, his false bravado as thin as the crisp night air around us.
“Let me make one thing crystal-clear. You come near her or Roland again, and it won’t be regrets you’re nursing. It’ll be the last mistake you ever make.”
George’s face twisted into a scowl. “Do you even know who I am?”
I stepped closer until we were almost nose to nose. “No. And frankly, I don’t give a fuck. But here’s what I do know: Zoey and her son are under pack protection. Lay a hand on either of them, and it’s a death sentence.”
