Page 131 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“I remember,” I said. “You’re the guard who was hurt behind the house.” The last time I’d seen the man standing in front of me now was when the paramedics were loading him into the ambulance. Noah had stood beside me, his clothes drenched in Mike’s blood. Now that he was here, relief washed over me. “You’re okay? All healed?”
Grinning mischievously, he proudly pointed to the faint scar on his forehead. “I’ve got a few battle wounds. Adds a bit of rugged charm, don’t you think?”
“I’m sorry.”
“What are you apologizing for?” His grin faded. “Did you do it? I don’t remember your scent from that night.” He tapped his nose. “I assure you, lass, that smell will forever be etched in my memory, and your fragrance is a thousand times more pleasant than that repulsive scum. Don’t even think about apologizing for that piece of shit, got it?”
I blinked at him in disbelief. Here was a man who could have easily held anger and resentment towards me, but he didn’t. Before doubt could sneak in, I sought refuge in the affirmations Elaine had given me, silently reciting the mantra.I am worthy of love and compassion. I am not responsible for everything that happens.
With a cheeky wink, Lance broke the silence. “Well, as much as I enjoy catching up, we should start moving. Noah assigned us to take you to your class tonight.”
I frowned in confusion. “But there are already guards here. Why would I need more people?”
Mike shifted his weight. “Noah insisted, ma’am. He wants to ensure your safety personally.”
I glanced between them, unsure. More bodyguards seemed like overkill. The house was already well-protected, with shifters and cops watching the perimeter 24/7 since the shooting.
I hesitated, biting my lip. As much as my instinct was to trust Mike, I couldn’t take what he’d said at face value. George was more than capable of discovering Mike’s name and fabricating a story to get hired thugs close enough to grab me. I had to confirm their identities.
“All right,” I said with a small shrug. “Let me just grab my coat.”
I shut and locked the door on them, then pulled out my phone and texted Noah.
Me:Did you send new guards to me?
Noah:Yes, Mike and Lance. They volunteered. Sorry, I should’ve warned you. They’re very good, you’ll be safe with them.
I fired off a quick reply thanking him as I unlocked the door. It was really thoughtful of Noah to arrange this, especially when he was still recovering. He seemed to truly care about my well-being, expecting nothing in return. So different from George...
I shook my head firmly, zipping up my coat. I needed to stop comparing Noah to my ex. George’s maliciousness was an anomaly. Not everyone had ulterior motives.
Locking the door behind me, I followed Mike and Lance to the waiting car. Mike opened the back door of the black SUV for me, and I settled into the leather seat.
I buckled my seatbelt as the engine rumbled to life. I looked out the tinted window, watching the familiar streets roll by.Despite the circumstances, it was good to be getting out and doing something normal again.
The corners of my mouth quirked up wryly at the thought. When had this become my new normal? Shaking my head, I resolved to go with it for tonight. I had a feeling I’d need to get used to accepting help, whether I liked it or not.
As we drove, I found myself thinking about how different Noah was from George. Noah’s thoughtfulness and genuine concern for my safety—and Ro’s, Heather’s, and Sam’s—was such a contrast to George’s self-serving nature. George would have never gone out of his way to ensure others were protected unless there was something in it for him.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the thought. I needed to stop using George as a benchmark for everyone else’s behavior. He was his own special brand of crazy, and it wasn’t fair to project his malicious intent onto others.
When we pulled into the gym’s parking lot, I spotted a police cruiser parked a few spots away. Another reminder of the extra security measures in place. Mike and Lance escorted me inside, their presence both reassuring and slightly intimidating.
Carla greeted me with a warm smile. “Hey, how are you? How’s Roland?”
“Hi, Carla. I’m all right, thanks. Ro is itching for a boxing match with Noah. Did Heather get in touch?”
“She did,” Carla replied. “She sent me a text saying she couldn’t make it tonight.”
“I wasn’t sure she’d have time. The hospital called and asked if she could cover a shift, so she had to rearrange her plans. I nearly canceled, too.”
I’d been disappointed Heather hadn’t been able to make the class, but she’d encouraged me to come. I was just grateful that she wanted to continue the class. Being a shifter, she had a natural talent for fighting and didn’t really need self-defenseclasses, but she said she found it intriguing to explore different techniques.
“I’m glad you’re here. I’ll see you in a few minutes,” Carla said as she moved on to chat with another classmate entering the gym.
I made my way to the changing rooms, my stomach fluttering with nerves as I pushed open the door. My heart sank when I saw Emily inside, preening in front of the mirror. She was wearing even less than usual, her skin-tight workout clothes leaving little to the imagination. A full face of heavy makeup completed her look, which seemed more appropriate for a night out at a club than a gym session.
Emily met my gaze in the mirror, and she sneered. Ignoring her, I changed into my workout gear. I refused to let her ruin this for me. These classes were my way of reclaiming my power and building my confidence. I would not let Emily’s pettiness take that away from me.
