Page 192 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
When she announced she was going to pick up lunch with Angie, I seized the opportunity to talk to Sam alone. We sat together on the couch, an awkward silence stretching between us.
“Uh, how are you doing with Mom being back in town?”
Sam’s nostrils flared, his gaze fixed on the floor. “It’s… well, it’s difficult, very difficult. Seeing her again brings up a lot of old feelings.Painfulfeelings.”
My heart ached for him. “You loved her. That kind of bond doesn’t just go away.”
He swallowed hard. “My wolf chose her. And even though she left, that connection is still there after all these years. It makes it hard to move on and form a bond with anyone else.”
Tears stung my eyes as I listened to him, understanding dawning. “Mating bonds are that strong?”
His mouth twisted to the side. “They really are.”
I sighed. Sam deserved to find happiness with a new partner. Putting my hand on his knee, I looked into his eyes. “Sam, you should be able to find love again. You’re an amazing person, and any woman would be lucky to have you.”
He patted my hand. “I appreciate that. But honestly, having you, your sister, and Ro in my life makes me happy. I have great friends, a good life. Maybe love just wasn’t in the cards for me, and I’m okay with that.”
I bit my lower lip, then asked, “Would you ever consider giving Mom another chance?”
Sighing, Sam shook his head. “I don’t think so. She hasn’t healed from the things that made her run in the first place. Until she does, I don’t see how it could work between us.”
“I’m going to take her with me to my next therapy session. If there’s even a chance that you still love her, I want to help her get to a place where she can love you the way you deserve.”
Sam’s face softened, and gratitude shone in his eyes. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. You’ve been there for me through so much. Let me do this for you.”
As the day went on,pack members stopped by the house, bearing enough food to feed a small army. Casseroles, lasagnas, and pies filled the fridge and stood on every available surface in the kitchen. I blinked back tears as I stood in the center of it, overwhelmed by their generosity.
Noah wrapped an arm around my waist. “They care about you, you know. Not just me and Ro, but you, too. You’re part of this pack now.”
Warmth bloomed in my chest, and I rested my head against his chest. I had the love and support of the pack. I had Noah’s love and support. Despite the uncertainty of the future, I was happy.
By the time evening rolled around, exhaustion had seeped into my bones. Noah took one look at me and led me upstairs to the bathroom. “I’m going to run you a bath.” He turned on the faucet and adjusted the temperature.
Steam began to rise from the water, the scent of lavender bath salts wafting through the air. Noah helped me undress, then those gentle hands of his guided me into the tub. The hot water enveloped me, soothing my aching muscles and frayed nerves.
“Join me?” I asked, looking up at him with heavy-lidded eyes.
Noah pressed a kiss to my forehead. “As much as I’d love to, you look like you’re about to fall asleep any second. I don’t want you drowning on my watch.”
I chuckled, but he was right. My eyelids were already drooping, the warmth of the bath lulling me into a drowsy state. Noah knelt beside the tub, his fingers trailing through the water and skimming over my skin.
When the water began to cool, I sat up and let Noah wash my hair. After I’d scrubbed my skin, he helped me out of the tub and wrapped me in a fluffy towel. He dried me off with a tenderness that made my heart ache, and I leaned against him, my legs unsteady beneath me.
Noah scooped me into his arms and carried me to the bedroom. He tugged one of his T-shirts over my head, and the soft material swallowed me up. He slid in beside me, and I curled into his warmth, my eyelids drifting closed as he traced circles on my back.
I’d never felt more loved or cherished. Noah’s steady heartbeat beneath my ear was a soothing lullaby, and as I drifted off to sleep, I prayed I wouldn’t lose this.
That I wouldn’t lose him.
Please let me keep this. Let me keep him.I had found someone who loved me unconditionally, who made me feel safeand whole. The thought of losing Noah, of losing this newfound happiness, was too much to bear.
But as sleep claimed me, wrapped securely in Noah’s embrace, I allowed myself to hope that maybe the universe would be kind. That, after all the pain and heartache, I had finally found my home, my forever, in Noah’s arms.
52
NOAH
