Page 22 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
We entered the store, and I could feel Roland’s excitement bubbling as he raced ahead to the children’s section. He was a blur of black hair and long limbs. My steps were more measured, each one a mental victory over the fear that had kept us isolated for so long. I was vigilant, constantly scanning for any signs of danger. I couldn’t afford to relax entirely and take risks.
“Mom, look at these!” Roland held up a pair of bright blue trunks with a shark pattern swirling across the fabric. “Can I get them?”
“Sure,” I said, blocking out the clamor of the busy store. I combed through the rows of trunks, my fingers grazing over the hangers until I found a pair in his size. I handed them to him with a smile. “Let’s try them on first,” I added. “Just to be sure.”
He nodded in agreement and scurried off to the fitting room. I followed him in.
“Mom, I’m eight,” he insisted, rolling his eyes. “I can do it myself.”
I hovered at the entrance, watching other shoppers weave past me, lost in their own worlds. My heart still raced, but it wasno longer just from fear. There was pride in witnessing Roland wanting to do this on his own.
“They’re perfect!” he exclaimed, emerging with a grin that stretched from ear to ear. The trunks hung just right, hinting at the strong young man he was growing into.
With kids, time warped. It had bent and twisted, taking my wobbly toddler and transforming him into a boy with an independent streak, all in the blink of an eye. All too soon, he’d be a man who wouldn’t want to hang out with his mom.
I was glad I’d summoned up the courage to do this so I could savor the remnants of his childhood.
“Can we go to the splash pad now?” Roland asked, anticipation making him bounce on his toes.
“Let’s pay for them first,” I reminded him gently.
At the checkout, I handed over the bank card, feeling a little giddy as I did. As the cashier bagged the trunks, Roland chattered about everything he’d seen at the park, and for a moment, the world felt lighter, simpler.
“Thank you,” I told the cashier as I took the bag and the receipt. Roland grabbed my hand as we left the store, and I smiled. He hadn’t grown up yet. For now, he was still my little boy.
By the time we got to the park, the sun perched high in the sky. The playground was buzzing, the air alive with laughter and shouts as children played on the equipment. The swing sets were in constant motion as parents and nannies pushed little ones while older kids used their feet to propel themselves. The monkey bars were a hive of activity as small hands clung to the metal bars, and children built towering sandcastles in the sandbox. Their joy was contagious. This was what Roland had missed out on when we were confined to George’s compound.
The splash pads were the focal point of the park. Vibrant water fountains shot up in various patterns and heights.Children of all ages ran through the jets, squealing as they tried to dodge and jump over the sprays. Some adventurous kids even attempted to block the water jets with their hands, which created impromptu water cannons that sprayed in all directions. Parents gathered on the sidelines, their cheerful banter and friendly greetings emphasizing the tight-knit nature of this community.
I found a bench under the shaded canopy of an oak tree, granting me a clear view of Roland while allowing him the freedom to explore. After he’d changed into his new trunks, I leaned back, absorbing the energetic atmosphere. At first, Roland appeared uncertain about how to approach the other kids and interact with them. He moved with a cautious curiosity, his wet hair sticking to his forehead. But as his confidence grew, he blossomed, breaking out of his shell and actively engaging with them, shrieking and splashing in the water.
Occasionally, he darted back to me, as if to make sure I was still there.
“Having fun?” I asked, taking the opportunity to generously cover him with another coat of sunscreen as regret gnawed on the edges of my conscience. This is what his childhood should have been—joy and exploration, free from the cruelty and confinement his brutish father had imposed on us.
“Yes!” He wrapped his wet arms around me and jumped up and down.
“Ro, you’re drenching me,” I laughed.
That only made him giggle and hold me tighter. I wanted to savor this moment. When he let me go, I grabbed my phone, and we grinned at the camera.
Throwing a grin my way, Roland ran back and joined the other kids playing in the water. He was fascinated by the powerful jets, making frequent stops to examine them. I could almost hear the cogs whirring in his head, trying to figure out how they propelled water into the air. The thoughtful look on hisface reminded me so much of his father, but I saw none of the darkness there.
My heart swelled as I watched him, this little boy who was so much more than just a child. A future alpha with a world of burdens already on his small shoulders.
“Be careful!” I called out.
“Yes, Mom,” he drawled back, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as the other kids turned to look at him.
I took another photo of him and sent it to Heather. I wanted to relax, but I couldn’t. I had no idea how far George’s reach went, and although Heather and Sam had assured me we were safe, I kept a close watch on Roland from the solitude of my position under the sturdy oak tree.
A woman in a vibrant sun dress and a wide-brimmed hat, her blond hair pulled back in a ponytail, came to sit next to me on the bench. She watched the children, then gestured towards Roland. “Is he yours?” she inquired.
“Uh, yeah,” I said, tucking my hair behind my ear. “That’s Roland. He’s eight.”
“He’s tall. I figured he must be at least eleven.” She nodded, her smile warm with maternal understanding. “That’s my Max over there in the red shorts. Just turned six last week. I’m Julie.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said, though I kept my focus on Roland, making sure he was still within view.
