Page 161 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“All right,” he said, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. “Let’s see what we can do.”
Ro let out a whoop of joy, scrambling to collect the necessary equipment. They picked out a pair of gloves and some pads that had escaped damage. Noah knelt beside Ro, gently wrapping my son’s hands and guiding him through the process with infinite patience.
“Zoey, could you hold these for us?” Noah asked, offering me the pads.
I nodded, positioning myself opposite Ro. He squared up, his face scrunched in concentration as he raised his gloved hands.
“Remember, keep your guard up.” Noah adjusted Ro’s stance with a light touch. “And stay on your toes so you can move quickly.”
Ro threw a punch, and I felt it through the pads right into my bones. I hadn’t known Ro had such strength.
“Good,” Noah said. “But watch your elbow, buddy. Keep it up, or you’ll lose power.”
They fell into a rhythm, Noah calling out corrections and encouragement as Ro struck the pads again and again. I braced my stance to keep my footing even as I marveled at the transformation in my son. His face was set with determination, his movements sure.
And Noah... the tension had drained from him as he guided Ro. This was his element, I realized. The ring, the gym, the art of the fight.
Ro’s energy was flagging, his punches losing their crispness. But he gritted his teeth, pushing through the fatigue.
“All right, champ, that’s enough for today.” Noah caught Ro’s hands gently. “You did great. I’m proud of you.”
Ro beamed up at him, his face flushed and sweaty but alight with happiness. “Thanks, Noah. That was awesome.”
As I watched them—teacher and student, man and boy—my heart filled with love. This, right here, was what George could never touch, never taint. The bond between Noah and Ro, the love, the trust...
It was unbreakable.
We decided to treat ourselves to some ice cream after the impromptu training session. As we walked down the street, Robetween us, I couldn’t stop smiling. The simple normalcy of it all, the easy affection, filled me with a warm glow.
Noah glanced over at me. “What’s got you grinning like that?”
I shook my head, still smiling. “Nothing. Just... happy.”
He caught my hand in his and squeezed gently. “Me too.”
We got our ice cream and found a bench to sit on while we ate. Ro chattered away, hyped up on sugar and sunshine.
Noah listened intently, nodding along, asking questions. But after a moment, he turned to Ro. “Hey, buddy, I want to thank you. For what you did back there, at the gym.”
Ro blinked up at him in confusion. “What did I do?”
Noah smiled and ruffled Ro’s hair. “You cheered me up. I was feeling pretty down about the damage, but you reminded me what’s important. Thank you.”
Ro ducked his head, pleased and a little embarrassed. “You’re welcome.”
I watched the exchange, my heart so full, it felt like it might burst. My two men, the most important people in my world, building a bond that went beyond blood or obligation.
Ro’s approval, his acceptance of Noah, meant everything to me. If he had shown even the slightest hesitation, the faintest unease, I would have ended things between me and Noah in a heartbeat.
But this? This easy affection, the way they gravitated toward each other like magnets? It was more than I had ever dared hope for.
Impulsively, I leaned over and kissed Noah, just a quick peck on the lips. He blinked at me, startled but pleased.
Ro, of course, had to ruin the moment. “Eww, gross,” he complained, making exaggerated gagging noises.
But he was grinning as he said it, his eyes sparkling with mischief. He might pretend to be disgusted, but he was happy for us.
George and his threats seemed very far away. Here, now, I was safe. I was loved.
