Page 117 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
I shook my head, a wry smile tugging at my lips. “Not you, too. I can look after myself. I’m a big boy, you know.”
“I know you are.” She smiled sadly. “But I’m your mother, and I’ll always worry about you. When I was told about the shooting, it felt like my world had stopped turning. I was so scared. We both were, Noah.”
The weight of her words settled heavily on my shoulders. “I’m sorry. I hate that it happened the way it did, and I never meant to scare you like that. But Dad has to stop trying to micromanage everything. I need room to lead, to make my own decisions and mistakes.”
She leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead. “I understand, sweetheart. Just remember, your father loves you, even if he struggles to show it. Try to be patient with him, okay?”
Rebuilding my relationship with my father would take time and effort from both of us. For now, I focused on the warmthof my mother’s presence and the knowledge that, despite our differences, my family would always stand with me.
“I love you.” I pulled her into a gentle hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
She gave my hand a gentle squeeze, her eyes shining with understanding. “Give it time. Your father will come around. Just focus on getting better and leading the pack the way you know is right.”
With a final hug and a promise to visit again soon, my mother left, and I was alone with my thoughts. As I lay back against the pillows, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the road ahead would be filled with obstacles I had yet to face.
A knock at the door jolted me from my brooding thoughts. Kyler stepped inside, a wry grin on his face as he held up my phone. “Figured you might need this.”
I took the phone from him before leaning back against the stiff hospital pillows. “Thanks. How are the kids doing?”
Kyler sat in the chair beside my bed, his expression morphing into something serious. “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. With everything going on with George, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to send them to that bout next weekend.”
Damn. Ky had a point, but pulling the kids now would crush them. They’d been training their asses off. Before I could respond, there was another knock on the door.
The door swung open, and Mike Cortana strode in. I tensed, my eyes narrowing as I took in the grizzled older shifter. What the hell was my father’s beta doing here?
“Noah,” Mike said gruffly. “Just wanted to check in, see how you’re holding up. I know firsthand what that bastard George is capable of.” He gestured to a faded scar on his forehead.
I kept my expression guarded. Mike had always been loyal to my old man. Him showing up now, when my father hadjustleft, set my instincts on edge. What game was my father playing?
“I’m fine.” The last thing I needed was my father sending his lackeys to keep tabs on me. “Is that all?”
Mike held up his hands. “Easy, kid. I’m on your side. If you need anything, someone to talk to who gets it, I’m here.” His gruff tone softened a fraction. “Being alpha ain’t easy, especially with everything on your plate.”
I met his gaze, trying to figure out his true intentions. Perhaps I was being paranoid. Mike had watched me grow up. I’d known him for as long as I was alive. But I couldn’t afford to let my guard down, not now. Not with so much at stake.
I gave Mike a hard stare. “Cut the bullshit, Mike. Why are you really here?”
Kyler shifted beside me, moving to stand. “I should probably?—”
“Stay,” I said. Whatever this was about, I wanted Ky here. I trusted him to have my back.
Mike sighed heavily, rubbing a hand over his weathered face. “All right, straight to it, then. I ran into your old man. He asked me to talk some sense into you.”
I bit back my growl. Of course he had. “About what, exactly?”
“He’s worried you’re putting that girl Zoey above the pack. That you’re not focused on what really matters now that you’re alpha.” Mike’s words were blunt, but his eyes held a glimmer of sympathy. “It’s not a good look, kid. Not this early on in your rule.”
White-hot anger surged through me. How dare he? How dare my father question my commitment, my priorities? I’d given up everything for this pack. For him.
“Get out,” I said through clenched teeth. “And tell my father that if he wants to talk, he can damn well do it himself. I don’t need his middleman.”
Mike held my gaze for a long moment before nodding slowly. “I’ll pass along the message.” He walked to the door, then paused. “For what it’s worth, Noah? I think you’re doing all right, considering.”
Then he was gone, and I was seething. Ky stared at me as if expecting me to sprout fur in the middle of the hospital bed. “You good, man?”
I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my temper. I couldn’t afford to lose control. Too much depended on me keeping a level head.
“Yeah,” I finally said. “I’m good. But we need to talk about the kids, about keeping them safe. I won’t let George hurt anyone else. Not on my watch.”
