Page 86 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“Tell me about it. Dad and his cronies felt bad for him, so a bunch of them would get together and go support him.”
We sat in silence for a few moments until Heather added, “Noah always wanted more than Boldercrest. The town was too small for him. Honestly? I didn’t think he’d ever come back after he left, or stay if he did.”
“But he’s staying because of what happened to Nate?”
“Partly. The pack needs an alpha, but no one’s blind, Zoey. This life, being alpha, wasn’t what Noah dreamed of. Yet here he is, for all of us.” She glanced at me. “It says a lot that he came back after... well, you know.”
A knot tightened in my stomach as I turned to Heather. “Do you think Noah feels trapped here? Like there’s no way out for him?”
Heather looked at me, her gaze holding a depth of knowledge of pack rules that I didn’t understand. “There is one way out,” she said slowly, “but it’s not a path I see Noah taking. Not now. Not with you in his life.”
“Because of me?” I asked, confused.
She nodded. “If he turned down the role of alpha, it would mean abandoning the pack. He’d have to leave Boldercrest behind, for good.” Her voice was even, but her face betrayed the gravity of what she described.
“Abandoning the pack...” The words echoed hollowly in my ears. “And that means cutting ties with everyone? His gym? Ky?”
“Everyone,” Heather confirmed. “If Noah refused the role, his father would have to free him from it. It would essentially be a banishment. But Noah’s not one to run from responsibility.”
I swallowed hard, feeling the gravity of her words settle on my shoulders. “But I’m not pack,” I said, the logical part of my brain clinging to the distinction.
“True, but you’re under pack protection. If Noah declined his role, then by pack law, he’d also have to leave you… unlessyou were willing to go with him without any protection from the pack.”
The implication of her words was a tangible thing that pressed against my chest. Noah would have to choose between his birthright and his freedom—his pack and, potentially, me. It seemed an impossible yet inevitable choice.
I shifted uncomfortably on the couch, my gaze dropping to my empty glass clasped tightly in my hands. Heather’s words replayed over and over in my head, each iteration weighing more than the last.
“Heather,” I murmured, not sure I wanted the answer to what I was about to ask. “Do you think if I wasn’t here, he’d stay? Surely Ky would go with him if he left? Is he only staying because of me?”
She didn’t answer immediately, and that pause had guilt clawing its way up from the pit of my stomach, coiling around my heart like a constrictor. Images of Noah’s furrowed brow and the subtle downturn of his mouth flashed in my mind. It was a mirror of the misery I’d felt with George. Trapped. Powerless.
“Zoey, it’s not like that.” Her assurance sounded hollow, though.
“Isn’t it?” Tears stung my eyes. “He was so miserable today, Heather. And now, knowing he might feel as trapped here as I was with George, how can I live with myself if I’m the one holding him back?”
She squeezed my hand, but it did little to ease the growing knot of dread. If Noah felt caged, tethered to a life he never wanted because of me, then what kind of future could we possibly have?
23
NOAH
Ileaned against the ropes of the ring, arms crossed, my gaze tracking every move. The sounds of quick jabs and shuffling feet filled the gym, mixed with the steady thump of gloves against bags. It was observation day, and Ky and I were evaluating the kids for an upcoming district title.
“Good footwork, Tommy!” I called out to one of the younger ones, a scrawny kid who’d put on muscle over the last few months. He beamed at me.
It was hard not to get caught up in the buzz of excitement as I watched them. I’d retired from the circuit, but my love of the sport was still strong. Working with these kids, seeing their growth and how much our hard work had paid off, was truly rewarding.
But it was also bittersweet. Once I took up the role of alpha, I’d miss out on these moments. My chest tightened at the thought.
“Javier, keep your hands up!” Kyler called out. He’d be the one in my stead, cheering them on, consoling them. The gym would be mine in name only. It didn’t sit right with me.
“Left hook, Lloyd! That’s it!” I shouted as one of our more promising contenders ducked and swung. Ky scribbled something on his notepad, nodding with a satisfied smile.
“Nice combo,” he muttered to me, circling something on the page.
“All right, let’s wrap this up and discuss who’s ready,” I said to Ky once all the kids had been given an opportunity to show us their abilities.
We headed back to my office, where Ky dropped into the chair across from my desk and leaned back, studying me. “Out with it,” he said. “What’s going on? You’re here, but your mind’s not.”
