Page 81 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
Zoey’s hesitation wasn’t just causing me pain; it was affecting my wolf as well. With a low whimper, I let my massive body sink to the ground, muscles giving way beneath the thick coat of sandy fur. My head lowered, ears pinned back, and I cast the most pitiful gaze I could muster at her.
Really?I thought, exasperated with myself for resorting to such tactics.
But it worked. Zoey stepped cautiously towards me, drawn by the silent plea in my wolf’s eyes.
“Okay, that’s... not what I was expecting.” Her voice quivered just a touch, but like her son,there was wonder there, too. “I mean, you said you were a big wolf, but you’rehuge. You’re more like a bear.”
I could only nod slightly in this form. While most wolves reached a maximum height of four feet, I stood at a healthy six feet with a hefty build, about the same height as my human form. I was accustomed to my appearance, but I couldn’t fathom how I must look from her perspective. A monster?
A slayer of monsters, I hoped.
“Can I ride you?” Ro asked, piercing the tension with his childish wonder.
I huffed out a breath that ruffled his black hair, sending him into a cascade of giggles. The corners of my mouth twitched upwards in what I imagined was the closest thing to a smile my wolf could manage.
As Roland clambered onto my back, Zoey’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
But her apology was unnecessary. Whether it was the protective instincts running through my veins or the simple joy reflected in Ro’s giggle, neither part of me—the man nor the wolf—minded Roland’s boldness.
Zoey’s fingers hesitated in the air before finally making contact with my fur. The initial tremors in her touch vanished as she stroked my side. “With your size, I have no doubt you could protect us,” she said, steadier now.
My wolf puffed his chest out with pride. Inside, I chuckled at his reaction—typical alpha behavior—but I didn’t let it show. Instead, I stood up, shaking my head from side to side. With Roland perched on my back, his hands fisted tightly in my ruff, I sprinted around the yard, his laughter fueling my every stride.
When I circled back, I nudged against Zoey, deliberately marking her with my scent. On the outside, it was playful, but for shifters, it was a more intimate gesture. One that spoke of protection and possession.
Moments later, I shifted back into my human form, muscles and bones rearranging with a familiarity that came from yearsof doing it. Standing before Zoey, bare and exposed, I waited for her approach.
“Wow, that was so cool!” Ro exclaimed, bouncing with a contagious energy.
Zoey moved toward me, her gaze locked onto mine. She reached out, much like she had when I was a wolf. But this time, it was my skin that jolted with the electric sensation of her touch.
“How strong are you?” she asked, the question carrying more than the words alone suggested.
I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me. “Strength isn’t just about physical power. It’s about what you choose to do with it. A man uses his strength to protect his family, to shield those he loves from harm, not to cause it.”
Her breath hitched, and I could see the whirlwind of emotions playing across her beautiful face. Unspoken words hung between us, yet they were as clear as if spoken aloud. I was completely gone over her, and I hoped with every fiber of my being that she felt even a fraction of what I did.
“Zoey.” The oath I was about to make was not something I took lightly. “I promise to always protect you and Ro, even if it costs me my life.”
Her eyes welled with tears, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.
We sat outside a while longer, enjoying the last of the evening sun and each other’s company. Ro zoomed around the garden, replaying his ride on my wolf, and made me promise we’d do it again.
George’s call had ruined our plans for dinner, so I ordered pizza. Even cheesy, yeasty goodness couldn’t keep Ro awake—he fell asleep on the living room floor. I picked him up, cradling him in my arms as I carried him upstairs to my guest room, leaving Zoey to help him change into his pajamas. I went to my room to get ready for bed.
I would have been happy with the sofa, but Zoey insisted I sleep with her. Who was I to argue?
The next morningstarted with a text message summoning me to the alpha house, and I left immediately.
I knocked on the heavy oak door of my father’s office. Our relationship had improved a lot over the last few weeks. But since he’d given me time to be with Zoey, knowing the fated-mate bond was important, I knew there was only one thing he’d want to discuss with me. A foreboding settled in my stomach.
“Sit down,” Dad said as soon as I walked through the door. His office smelled like coffee and old books, familiar and a bit comforting.
I took a seat across from him, resting my hands on my knees. “You wanted to talk about Zoey?” I guessed.
He nodded, his eyes fixed on me with that calculating look he’d perfected over years of leading the pack. “When are you going to tell her she’s your fated mate?” Dad asked, cutting right to the heart of the matter.
I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “Dad, it’s not that simple.”
