Page 107 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
She came to sit on the edge of my bed and gripped my arm over the thin hospital blanket. Her skin was warm against my own, her touch gentle and grounding.
“You don’t have to say anything right now. I’m just so glad you’re okay. When that gun went off...”
Her voice cracked, tears spilling down her cheeks, and it was like a knife to my heart. I lifted my hand to brush the moisture from her face, my thumb lingering on the soft skin of her cheek.
“Hey, shhh,” I said. “It’s all right. I’m here. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment as she drew in a shaky breath. “I was so scared,” she whispered. “I can’t lose you. I can’t.”
I hated seeing her like this, so uncertain and full of self-recrimination. I knew her well enough by now to know exactly what sort of thoughts were likely swirling through her head. She was thinking this was all her fault somehow. That she nevershould have come to Boldercrest. That her very presence put us all in danger.
I wanted to pull her into my arms and hold her until she believed me when I said none of that was true. That her psycho ex was the only one to blame here. That she and Ro had every right to live freely and without fear, and I would personally tear apart anyone who tried to take that away from them.
But I didn’t say any of that. Zoey wasn’t ready to hear it, especially not now when her emotions were so raw and heightened.
So instead, I simply held out my hand to her, ignoring the faint pull of my stitches at the movement. “Zoey, I’m really glad you’re here.”
She stared at my outstretched hand for a long moment, her face unreadable. Then slowly, hesitantly, she reached out and placed her hand in mine. Her skin was soft and warm against my palm.
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she hastily brushed it away with her free hand. “I don’t deserve your kindness. Or your pack’s protection. All I’ve brought you is trouble.”
“Hey, none of that,” I said gently, tugging on her hand until she looked at me again. “You’re not responsible for that bastard’s actions. It’s not your fault. Isn’t that what you told Ro? That the only person responsible for George James is George James? You deserve to feel safe and secure. Boldercrest can give you that. Let us help you.”
She bit her lip, clearly torn. I could see the doubts behind her eyes, the desperate longing for a place to belong warring with the fear of bringing more danger to our doorstep.
Before she could respond, a brisk knock sounded on the door a second before it swung open. My father walked in, immediately taking in our clasped hands and the intimate atmosphere. Reluctantly, I let go of Zoey’s hand.
“I can come back later if this is a bad time,” he said, though the look he shot me said we would definitely be discussing this later.
“No, it’s fine.” Zoey stood abruptly. “I should go check on Ro, anyway.” She turned to me, giving me a small, tremulous smile. “Get some rest. And thank you. For everything.”
Then she was gone, slipping past my father and out the door, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts and the phantom warmth of her hand in mine.
I leaned back against the pillows and tried to ignore the burning ache in my gut. My father approached the bed and looked me over.
“How are you feeling?” he asked gruffly.
I shrugged, then immediately regretted it as pain lanced through my abdomen. “I’ve been better,” I admitted. “But I’ll heal.”
He pulled up the chair Zoey had vacated and sank into it with a heavy exhale. “The doctor filled me in. Said you shifted with a bullet still inside you.” His tone was carefully neutral, but I could hear the undercurrent of disapproval.
I grimaced. “Not my smartest move, I know. But I didn’t have much choice at the time.”
“Hmm.” He leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he fixed me with a piercing stare. “And Zoey? What’s going on there?”
I tensed, unsure how to answer. The truth was, I didn’t fully know myself. All I knew was that the pull between us was undeniable, a magnetic force that seemed to override all logic and reason.
“She’s important to me,” I said finally, meeting his gaze squarely. “But you know that, Dad. You know exactly what she is to me.”
Something flickered in his eyes, an emotion I couldn’t quite name. “And does she feel the same?” he asked slowly. “Have you even told her she’s your fated mate?”
I blew out a breath, frustration welling up inside me. “I don’t know. It’s complicated. She’s been through a lot.”
He leaned back in his chair. “Just be careful. Getting involved with a human, especially one with her history, could cause problems for the pack.”
I bristled at that, my protective instincts surging to the forefront. “Zoey is not a problem. She’s a victim, same as Roland. They need our help, not our judgment.”
He held up his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m not judging, son. I’m only trying to look out for our people. You only took your oath recently, but they have to be at the forefront of every decision you make from now on. Anything that impacts the life of the alpha will trickle down and affect them, too. You have to know that, Noah. “
