Page 142 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Noah inhaled deeply, a look of pure bliss crossing his face. “Mmm, can you smell that? Cumin, turmeric, coriander... I swear, there’s nothing better than the aroma of a good curry.”
I had to agree. The blend of spices was intoxicating, conjuring up images of simmering pots and sizzling tandoors. My taste buds tingled in anticipation of the feast to come.
As we entered the restaurant, I was immediately enveloped with the warmth and bustle of the dining room. Diners chattered animatedly over steaming plates of biryani and buttery naan while servers wove between the tables, balancing trays laden with fragrant dishes.
Noah guided me toward the hostess stand, his hand resting lightly on the small of my back. His touch was so natural on my body, as if it was always meant to be there. Hell, everything with Noah felt natural.
A waiter showed us to a cozy table tucked away in the corner of the dining room. As we settled into our seats, I noticed the weariness etched on Noah’s handsome face.
“So, how was your day?” I asked, trying to keep my tone light. “You seem a bit tired.”
Noah sighed, running a hand through his sandy blond hair. He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully.
“It’s difficult for me to talk about things that bother me,” he admitted. “But after how open you were with me last night, I feel like you deserve to know.”
I reached across the table, covering his hand with my own. “You can tell me anything. I’m here for you.” It was nice to say that to him after he’d told me the same thing so many times.
He took a deep breath, his gaze dropping to the table. “Things with my dad... they’re strained. I harbor a lot of feelings about his lack of interest in my life. It’s like we’re strangers when we’re together. It’s hard to be around him.”
My heart ached for him. l knew all too well the pain of a distant parent. My thoughts drifted to my mother and the chasm that had grown between us over the years.
“I understand,” I said softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I have a distant relationship with my mother. It hurts, feeling like you’re not a priority in their life.”
His lips flattened into a thin line. “Exactly. I’ve tried to reach out, to build a connection, but it’s like hitting a brick wall. Sometimes, I wonder if he even cares about me at all.”
“Of course he cares,” I said, even as a part of me wondered if I truly believed my own words. “He’s your father. Perhaps he just doesn’t know how to show it.”
Noah shrugged. “Maybe. But it doesn’t make it any easier to deal with.”
I wanted to take away his pain, to heal the wounds that his father’s neglect had left behind. But l knew from experience that some scars ran too deep for words alone to mend.
I squeezed his hand again. “I think you should talk to your dad. Really talk to him about how you feel. He needs to know how much of an impact his actions have had on you.”
Noah’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know. We’ve never been good at talking about feelings.”
“I see good in your dad. I think he’ll listen if you’re honest with him. Noah, you were shot. You could have died. I fully believe your father would have carried so much guilt over the state of your relationship. There’s still time to mend things.”
He sighed, running his free hand through his hair. “I’m not so sure, but I’ll think about it. I promise.”
The waiter brought our meals, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics as we savored the delicious food. When the check arrived, Noah insisted on paying, dismissing my protests with a charming smile.
As we walked back to my car, Noah pulled me close, his arm wrapping around my waist. “I want you to come stay with me tomorrow night.”
My heart skipped a beat. “I don’t know if I’m ready to spend the night apart from Ro after everything that’s happened.”
“You’re more than welcome to bring him,” Noah said. “One of the pack members is hosting a dinner party. I think Ro would enjoy being around some of the other shifter kids.”
I grinned. It would be good for Ro to interact with children who understood his unique abilities. “That sounds like a great idea. Thank you.”
He captured my lips in a long, lingering kiss that left me breathless and tingling from head to toe. He growled—a low, possessive sound that ran right to my core.
Noah nuzzled my neck, his teeth grazing my sensitive skin. “One day,” he whispered, a promise and a prayer all in one.
I settledinto the plush armchair, my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my shirt as I avoided meeting Elaine’s eyes.
“Zoey, in our last session, we talked about the importance of identifying the root of your trauma. Have you given any thought to where you believe it all began?” Elaine asked.
I swallowed hard as memories of my childhood flooded my mind. “I think it goes back to my mother and the things I witnessed as a kid. The way my father treated her. I never really dealt with it.”
