Page 58 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
My mind jumped and my thoughts swirled as I tried to anticipate the therapist’s questions. How much was I willing to divulge in this session?
When Heather parked the car, she took my hand, offering a comforting touch. We sat there together as if we had all the time in the world. She’d wait with me until I was ready to get out of the car. Her calm and understanding only made me feel guiltier that I’d allowed George to alienate me from my family.
We sat for a short time in silence until I’d procrastinated as long as I could. I gave her hand a squeeze. “I can totally do this,” I said.
“Damn right you can,” she said with a smile.
As I got out of the car, the warm breeze fluttered through my hair. Together, we walked towards the therapy center.
The glass doors of the center closed behind me with a gentle whoosh, muffling the noise of the busy street outside. Heather’s hand on my shoulder was both comforting and grounding as she guided me towards the reception desk.
“I’ll be right here when you’re done,” Heather promised. She gave me an encouraging nod before taking a seat in the lobby, pulling a medical journal out of her bag.
I checked in, my hands trembling slightly as I scribbled my name on the sign-in sheet. The receptionist gave me a smile I couldn’t return. I was too wound up inside, a tangle of nerves and fear that seemed to constrict tighter with every passing second.
“Zoey Lester?”
I pivoted towards the sound of my name and found a tall, slender woman waiting in the doorway to her office. I placed her in her late fifties. She was impeccably dressed in a tailored royal-blue pantsuit and slate-gray shirt. Her light blond bob framed her kind face, warm brown eyes, and friendly expression.
“That’s me,” I acknowledged with a wave, forcing my feet to move forward.
Elaine Allan shook my hand as she introduced herself. “Come on through.”
On shaky legs, I followed Elaine into a room bathed in natural light. A plush chair faced a desk adorned with a single blooming orchid.
“Please, have a seat,” she said. “Can I offer you some water?”
Sitting down, I nodded mutely, throat tight. She poured a glass, setting it on a small table beside me.
“I know coming here is a big step,” she continued, her manner calm and empathetic. “These walls are a safe space for whatever you’d like to disclose.” She settled into her chair. “Nothing you say leaves this room.”
I took a sip of the water, the coolness a slight distraction. “I... I don’t even know where to begin.”
She offered a calm smile. “That’s perfectly all right. Take your time. Let’s start by taking a deep breath together.”
I inhaled shakily.
“Why don’t you tell me what brought you here?” At the sound of my sharp inhale, she said, “Remember, you’re in control here. Whenever you’re ready.”
When was the last time I felt in control? It seemed an eternity since I’d had that power. All at once, the office was less intimidating.
The world seemed to shrink, the orchid on the desk the only witness as I began to talk. I wasn’t ready to talk about everything that happened with George, not yet, though I was fairly sure she had a good idea.
Elaine listened intently as I spoke. Words stumbled out of me, a cascade of fears for my future I kept locked away, not wanting Sam or Heather to worry about me. She listened, her gaze never wavering, her nods indicating that she was there with me, in the thick of my chaotic thoughts.
“Zoey, it’s okay for you to feel again, even after everything you’ve been through,” she told me after I had finished speaking. I felt exposed and fragile, but she offered me solace with her words. “It’s important that you have someone who makes you feel safe and comfortable enough to experience those feelings.”
That was exactly what Heather had said. And I was beginning to believe it.
“It’s understandable that you would be cautious, but don’t let it stop you from finding happiness. You’re resilient, Zoey. You’ve survived, and now it’s time to start living again.”
As her words settled over me, hope flickered weakly deep within me. When the session drew to a close, something felt different. Lighter.
“It won’t be easy, but there is hope,” Elaine said, smiling. “You have incredible strength within you, and we’ll work together to find the healing you deserve. For today, focus on taking care of yourself. A warm bath, a good book, whatever brings you comfort. We’ll pick up where we left off next week.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Exiting the office, I found Heather exactly where she said she’d be, head lifting from her journal as I approached. She looked at me with a questioning, hopeful expression.
