Page 79 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“Wow, that’s quite the haul you’ve got there.” I found myself smiling at their mirrored grins. Their happiness chased away the last of the terror.
Ro beamed with the kind of pure joy only a child could muster, bubbling over as he recounted every single item they’d picked out. “And this one has pockets! See?” He thrust forward a cushion with small, stitched compartments, his fingers wiggling into each one.
“Wow, that’s really cool, Ro.” My heart swelled at seeing him so animated and cheerful. Even though it wasn’t technically his room, with all this stuff, the guest room would soon become aspace that felt like his own. I didn’t have the heart to correct him, not today, not with that smile.
Noah’s presence loomed gently beside me, his warmth radiating as he leaned down, his lips brushing my cheek in a fleeting peck. “How did you sleep?”
“I slept like a baby,” I lied, not wanting the man to worry about me any more than he already was. “Your bed is so comfortable.”
Noah gave me an odd look as if he knew I was hiding something, but he didn’t push. His bedwasvery comfortable, and I could see myself sleeping there often.
We were discussing what to make for dinner when my phone erupted with an unfamiliar ringtone. My body tensed, my heart threatening to tear out of my chest as I stared at the unknown number flashing on the screen.
“Who is it?” Noah asked, picking up my altered mood immediately.
I handed him the phone. My hands were shaking so hard that I nearly dropped it.
“Hello?” Noah answered.
“Put Zoey on the phone.” George’s voice was loud enough to be heard without the phone being on speaker.
A cold wave crashed over me, shivers cascading down my spine, ice crystals forming in my chest, freezing my breath in its tracks. Beside me, Ro went rigid, his previous excitement leaching out of him like air from a punctured tire. His face twisted into an expression of dread, and I hated it. Hated that George could still make us feel this way.
“How did you get this number, George?” Noah growled, fury pulsing in every syllable.
“I told you, I’m a powerful man. Getting a simple phone number is child’s play.” George’s arrogance oozed through the phone.
“Listen to me,” Noah’s voice was as unyielding as granite, “you have no power here. Don’t call this number again.”
“Is that so?” His dark chuckle made my stomach churn. “You think you’re protecting her? You’re inviting more trouble than she’s worth.”
My heart squeezed tight, a silent scream lodging in my throat.
“You set a foot near either of them, James, and I’ll make damn sure you regret it,” Noah snapped.
“Interesting choice of words, considering I’ve heard about your little trip to the police station. But make no mistake,” George continued with a venomous calm, “those charges will vanish because she will drop them. Then she and Roland will return home, where they belong. Won’t you, Zoey?”
“N-no,” I stammered. I glanced down at Roland. He clung to me, his nails leaving imprints on my flesh. His eyes sought a promise that we’d never go back to that dark and horrible place. I threaded my fingers through his dark black hair and found courage.
“No, George,” I repeated, sounding so much steadier than I felt. “I’m not dropping the charges, and we’re not coming back. If you have anything to say to me, please go through my attorney, Margaret Cameron. I’m sure you can find her contact details.”
There was a snarl from the other end of the line, vicious and cold. “This isn’t the end,” he hissed. “You don’t get to decide to walk away from me. And you certainly don’t get to take my son.”
Beside me, Noah’s body vibrated with restrained fury. His voice lowered to a dangerous snarl that held an edge of protectiveness. “I’ve warned you already, but it bears repeating. Stay away from Boldercrest. If you come near Zoey or her son again, you’ll have me to deal with.”
He ended the call and switched off my phone. I stared at the phone as if it was a bomb that might explode. Noah’s aura surged, filling the room with an oppressive heaviness.
Ro’s quiet whimper was loud in the unnatural silence. He took a step back, shaking with fear. I pulled him close and let him bury his face into me.
Just like that, Noah’s anger vanished, leaving a void in its wake. He looked across the table at Ro huddled against me. Noah’s shoulders drooped, and he let out a long, sorrowful sigh, carrying with it the realization of what the exchange had done to the boy.
George had never cared how Ro reacted when he raised his voice or anything else. Noah was different, I reminded myself. He’d done nothing but be kind to me and my son. Though the alpha display we’d just witnessed was terrifying, Noah had been holding onto his control.
With deliberate slowness, Noah walked around the table until he positioned himself in front of me and Ro. He crouched down to speak to Ro, who instinctively moved back in my hold, seeking comfort against my breast.
“You both felt that, huh? I’m sorry, Ro. It wasn’t directed at you or your mom. And it never will be, understand?”
As Ro nodded against my chest, his fingers gradually relaxed their vise-like hold on my arm. For a small boy, he had a lot of strength.
