Page 24 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Noah’s hand had never left my arm. With the other, he gently grasped Roland’s and led us both back to the bench where I had left my bag. After giving Ro another once-over, he turned his attention to me. “He’s an alpha, isn’t he?”
Desperate for something to distract my trembling hands, I unrolled the towel and draped it around Roland’s damp shoulders. Realizing that Noah probably already knew the answer before he’d even asked, I nodded, unable to find my voice. Something about Noah compelled honesty, without me having to utter a single word.
Turning back to Roland, Noah’s demeanor gentled. “I’m going to ask a question, Roland, and I want you to think really hard before you answer. Can you do that?”
Roland bobbed his head slowly, watching Noah closely.
“How big are your emotions?”
Confused, I stared at the man. What the hell did that mean? How the hell was Roland supposed to answer that?
To my surprise, he replied in a hushed murmur, “Sometimes... they’re too big. Like they don’t fit in my body. It makes me mad.”
“Ro,” I said as I crouched beside him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
He hesitantly met my eyes. “I didn’t want to scare you. I didn’t want you to think I’m like Dad.”
The pain in his words cleaved through my resolve, and I had to steady my breathing to keep composure. Every fear I harbored about Roland following in George’s footsteps resurfaced, threatening to overwhelm me just as Roland’s own emotions threatened to overwhelm him.
My hand trembled as I smoothed back the damp curls from Roland’s forehead. “You are not your father, Roland. You will never be like him.”
He buried his face in my neck and sniffled. Noah’s scrutiny grew more intense. When I finally dared to glance at him to see his reaction, his expression was steady and understanding.
Time seemed to stand still until Noah finally broke the heavy silence. “Can we talk over there?” He nodded subtly towards a secluded corner of the park, away from the curious spectators.
“Okay.” I went to pick up my bag, but Noah beat me to it and set off in the direction he had gestured. I gripped Roland’s hand and followed, relieved to put distance between us and the crowd.
Heat crept into my cheeks when Noah stopped in the quietest corner of the park. I was conscious of the space between Noah and me, deliberately maintaining a gap that felt safe.
“Zoey,” Noah began, “I have an idea that might help Ro with his emotions.” His gaze flicked down to my son before returning to me. “Would you two come by the gym later today? Say around three?”
The request caught me off guard. “The gym?”
“Yeah,” he said, a smile lifting the corner of his mouth. “It’s just an idea, but I think it could be good for him.”
I hesitated. Trust wasn’t something I handed out easily, but there was an earnestness to Noah that made it hard to say no. And I trusted Heather, who always spoke about Noah with the utmost respect.
But still, I couldn’t shake the uneasiness coiling in my stomach. The park’s cheerful chaos faded into the backdrop as my focus narrowed on the man before me. “Why should I trust you?” I asked.
Noah didn’t flinch at my question. Instead, he offered a half-smile. “I could stand here and tell you I’m the greatest guy alive,” he said, his tone laced with an earnest softness. “But that doesn’t mean you’d believe me.”
I watched him closely, searching for any sign of deceit. My past had taught me to read people and see beyond their words.
Noah’s gaze held mine, and I felt my pulse quicken. His clear blue eyes were like a calm ocean that hid storms beneath. He appeared to see right through me, and it unsettled me in ways I couldn’t describe.
“It’s just one session,” he said. “If you’re still unsure about me afterwards, I won’t push you. We can leave things as they are.”
I swallowed hard. Noah’s father had already declared I was under their protection, a fact that made my stomach knot uncomfortably. Could he cancel that? Leave us at George’s mercy? I didn’t think so.
I kept returning to Heather’s favorable judgment. My sister didn’t suffer fools gladly. So far, Noah had been nothing but respectful, and he really did seem to understand whatever Ro was struggling with. I wasn’t sure I could trust my own judgment, since I didn’t have a great track record with men.
“I’m not here to bring up your past.” Noah’s assurance came quickly, as if he knew exactly where my mind had wandered. “Roland needs help, and I want to be there for him.”
I glanced at Roland, who watched us with an intensity that seemed beyond his years. He was staring at Noah, but when he noticed me watching him, a wordless plea was exchanged between us.
“Okay,” I said, unable to resist the hopeful, hangdog expression from my son. “We’ll meet you.”
“Thank you,” Noah said, his face lighting up with a sincere smile. It made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something good. For Roland, and for me.
