Page 11 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“Ro,” Heather breathed out as she released me and knelt.
Roland hesitated, his eyes darting between Heather and me, seeking reassurance. It broke my heart that he didn’t remember her or Sam, but he’d been a toddler the last time they’d seen him.
At my nod, he stepped forward, and Heather wrapped her arms around him, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. “You’ve gotten so big,” she whispered.
Roland slowly relaxed into the hug, his hands tentatively patting her back. Tears pricked the back of my eyes at this bittersweet reunion. Yet another thing George had stolen from us. My son should have known his aunt.
“Come inside,” Heather urged after a moment, wiping her tears with the cuff of her sweater. “We have a lot to catch up on, and I’ve got plans.”
That piqued my curiosity. “Plans?”
“Yep,” she confirmed, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Let’s just say George’s allowance will be put to better use.”
“Really?” I asked, thinking of the money I’d squirreled away. The monthly “allowance” George gave me was supposed to go towards groceries, toiletries, and clothing for Ro and me. Two years ago, when the violence began escalating and George took less care to hide it and stopped promising to change, I’d managed to open a bank account he was completely unaware of. It had been one of the extremely rare occasions when the guard assigned to me hadn’t paid much attention to where I went during the weekly errands.
George never checked what I purchased so long as I didn’t ask for more money. So, I became a thrifty shopper. I bought cheap toiletries for myself and transferred them into name-brand bottles. It hadn’t always been easy. Most of the guards were attentive while I shopped, and I never knew when George would ask for the receipts, but I managed. Each cent saved was a small act of rebellion.
When I reconnected with Sam, I’d given him access to the account so he could use the money to help fund my escape. I had a small amount left, enough to sustain me for a short period before I’d have to find a job.
“Zoey?” Heather’s perceptive gaze met mine. “Let’s get you both settled, then we’re going shopping. New clothes, new toys for Ro, whatever you need to start fresh.”
“Mommy.” Ro tugged on my hand. “Can I really get new toys?”
With a playful laugh, Heather said, “A little birdie told me you’ve been a good boy for your mom. I think there might be a little surprise waiting for you in the house.”
Ro began pulling me toward the door. The innocence radiating off his face was impossible to ignore. “Is the birdie still in the house?”
Heather’s lips curled into a small smile. “Sorry, Ro,” she said, trying to contain her amusement. “He flew away when he heard the car. Maybe he’ll come back, but he’s shy.”
“Thank you,” I mouthed over Ro’s head. The reality of a life with Roland, away from George’s influence, was starting to take shape.
“Thank me later,” she said, her smile reaching her eyes. “Right now, let’s focus on getting you both inside.”
“Hold on, Ro,” I said. “We need to get our bags from the car.”
He grunted with frustration, keen to get in the house to see what Heather’sbirdiehad left.
After closing the trunk, I handed Ro his small backpack while Heather effortlessly lifted mine.
“Zoey?” a male voice called “Ro? Is that you?”
My heart leaped at the sound of my name, and a surge of adrenaline pumped through me, preparing me for fight or flight. Ro gripped my hand, anchoring me in place, keeping me from taking off.Boldercrest is safe, George is not here. I repeated those words over and over, and the knot of distress inside me slowly eased.
“Oh, darling girl, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
I flushed, aware that shifters would detect every subtle change in my scent. The overwhelming fear emanating from me was nothing short of humiliating. I hadn’t heard anyone approach, and that wouldn’t do. I had to be more vigilant. Keep a closer eye on my surroundings and the people near us.
The man standing at Heather’s gate was a welcome sight, though.
“Sam,” I said, trembling with emotion as he walked toward me. Roland clung to my leg, peeking out at the man who had saved us. “Thank you for making this happen,” I murmured as I hugged him tightly. It had only been a week since he hadliberated me from George’s compound, but that reunion had been brief and hurried.
Sam cleared his throat, visibly moved by the display of affection. “You don’t need to thank me, Zoey. You’re family. You’re just as much a daughter to me as Heather is, and I want you to remember that.”
His hug was tight and protective. It felt safe, a sharp contrast to the fear that George had instilled in me with every touch. Sam pulled back to look at us, and the moonlight caught the shimmer of unshed tears in his eyes.
“Seeing you here, free. Knowing you are away from the brute... I’m so relieved to have you safe,” he said, thick with emotion. “I spoke with Alpha Alexander when I returned. You’re both under pack protection. We’re a close-knit pack, and we always watch out for one another.”
“Safe,” I repeated in a whisper, finally allowing myself to believe in the word again.
