Page 59 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“It was good,” I told her, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. For the first time in a long while, I believed what everyone was telling me.
I was still feelinglight when Heather and I walked into the gym. Noah was already there, wrapping his hands in preparation for the evening’s self-defense class. He looked up, a smile lighting up his face, and I felt my heart do that odd little skip again.
“Hey.” His voice was smooth and warm, like a summer breeze. “Ready to learn some moves tonight?”
“Absolutely,” I said, my playful tone surprising me. “I even remembered to bring my mind this week, as well as my body.” Maybe it was the lingering effect of my therapist’s words or the way Noah appeared to cheer me on, but I added, “I hope you’re prepared to be impressed.”
He chuckled, and the sound made my insides melt. “I have no doubt about that. You’ve been doing great so far.”
When our eyes met, something electric zinged through the air. My cheeks heated, but I held his gaze.
“Are you free tomorrow night?” Noah asked, a hint of mischief dancing across his handsome face.
“Um, yes, maybe. If my sister or Sam takes Ro,” I stammered, taken aback by the sudden shift from training instructor to... something more.
“Good. Dinner? If I don’t hear from you to say otherwise, I’ll pick you up at seven,” he said.
I swallowed. “It’s a date.”
When the class started, I could feel the stares from some of the other women. They were subtle glances, but their envy rang clear. I shifted uncomfortably until Heather sidled up next to me.
“Let them stare,” she murmured so only I could hear. “They should know better than to mess with us, anyway.”
Her words emboldened me, and I turned to face the class, chin raised in defiance. “Yeah, they should,” I agreed. “You’re not just my sister. You’re a doctor with access to meds that can’t be detected after they’re dead.”
Heather smirked as the others quickly averted their gazes.The color drained from their faces, and a wild cackle burst out of me before I could stop it. I doubled over, clutching my stomach as my laughter echoed through the gym. God, it felt so good, so freeing.
“Zoey,” Heather snorted. “You’re going to scare them off for good.”
I straightened up, trying to school my features, and locked gazes with Noah. His soft smile was like a warm blanket, his blue eyes crinkling at the edges. Beside me, Heather stood with her arms crossed and grinned.
“Thank you.” I nudged her with my hip. “For everything.”
Heather clapped my shoulder, a sly smile on her face. “Now, let’s show them how it’s done.”
“Let’s,” I said, stepping onto the mat with newfound confidence. As I glanced at Noah and Heather one last time, something clicked into place. This was where I belonged. And I was very glad I’d come to Boldercrest.
15
NOAH
Grinning, I pressed the speaker on my phone. Zoey and I had plans tonight, and nothing would ruin this for me. Not even George’s ominous shadow lurking in the back of my mind.
“Good news?” I asked my father, anticipation for the night ahead buzzing through me.
“George is gone for now,” Dad said. I could picture him running his hand through his silvering hair, a habit when he was deep in thought. “Don’t let your guard down. I still have men stationed at Heather’s address. He’ll show again eventually, and we both know it’ll be her place he’ll target.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I said, glancing at the clock. I still had an hour before I had to pick Zoey up. “Any ideas what to expect?”
“After digging into his background, I’ve come to realize he’s a devious bastard, which means we should brace ourselves for the unexpected. Noah… I have some connections,” Dad added, and I heard the creak of floorboards as he paced his study. “I’ve got people who owe me. They could help us handle George without resorting to extremes.”
“Peaceful solutions are always better. That’s what you’ve always taught,” I said, tracing the faint scar above my brow, a reminder that not all fights ended cleanly.
“We’ve always been a peaceful pack. It’s what I’d prefer, but if push comes to shove, would you be ready?” He hesitated, his usual confidence wavering. “If it comes to it, could you…”
The question settled like a heavy stone in my stomach. It was one thing to fight in the ring, to feel the pump of adrenaline and the rush of a win. The red mist of my wolf swirled around me, tempting me with its bloodlust, yet I had always maintained tight control.
Could I really take a life? My wolf said yes. George was a threat to the pack, to Zoey and her son. A shiver ran through me, but not from fear. I needed to protect her, protect the pack. It was ingrained in every fiber of my being.
