Page 8 of Healed in the Alpha's Embrace
“Rest easy, brother. I’ve got it from here.”
I gave a final nod and turned away, leaving the cemetery as the first stars pierced the dusk sky.
The doorsof the gym swung open. A powerful gust of air carried the distinct scent of fresh paint and polished floors, immediately capturing my attention. The buzz of fluorescent lights was a soft symphony to my ears as I stepped inside, my feet grounding into a familiar space that had consumed the last six months of my life. I had only seen the architect’s drawings and photographs until now, so this was my first time seeing it in person.
“Ky!” I called out, my voice echoing through the large room, bouncing off the high ceilings and walls lined with heavy bags and mirrors. My gaze roamed over the racks of weights, the matslaid out for grappling, and the ring that stood in the center. Each detail was a sign of the dreams I’d harbored, now coming to fruition in the form of a top-tier training facility.
“Over here!”
Kyler’s voice drew my attention to one of the rooms branching off the main area. His head popped out, a grin plastered across his face. He emerged fully, clapping me on the shoulder as he joined me in the heart of our new venture.
“Well?” he said. “What do you think? Happy?” He’d been the man on the ground overseeing the work while I was still fighting on the circuit.
“Happy doesn’t begin to cut it,” I said, unable to keep the grin off my face. As I gazed over every inch of the place, pride swelled in my chest.
“Good, because you’re going to be seeing a lot more of this place.” Ky’s smile turned sly as he leaned in closer. “Phone’s been ringing off the hook, man. Word’s out that Noah Alexander, holder of multiple championship belts and US Olympic Gold Medalist, is opening a gym and will be training fighters.”
“Expected as much,” I said, a chuckle rumbling through me. The thought of passing on what I knew, of shaping the next generation, gave me a purpose beyond the ring, beyond the role of alpha that awaited me. This... this was something I chose, something that ignited a fire within me.
“Let’s take the grand tour, shall we?” Ky said, sweeping his arm out.
Together, we walked through the gym. Here, I would train people and mold them into champions. Maybe even into warriors who could stand beside me when the pack called.
“Looks like I’m not hanging up my gloves just yet,” I said, our laughter mingling as I envisioned the future fighters who would walk through these doors. The promise of having a championmentor attracted them to the gym, but they would depart with something far greater. They would depart with a fragment of the legacy I was just beginning to construct.
We moved past the main training area into a corridor lined with doors. Each room had hardwood floors.
“Look at all this extra space,” I said, peering into one of the rooms. “There’s so much more we can do here.”
Ky followed my gaze, hands shoved in his pockets. “You know, we’ve got the chance to really give back to Boldercrest. How about some beginners’ classes? Or maybe a self-defense course?”
I considered that. Self-defense wasn’t just a skill; it was about empowerment, something that went beyond fighting in the ring.
“I like that idea,” I said. “I’m certified, and it’s something tangible we can offer everyone, not just those looking to compete.”
“Exactly.” Ky nodded enthusiastically. “And let’s not forget about general fitness. The whole town could benefit from a good workout program.”
“Self-defense and fitness courses,” I said, picturing the gym buzzing with locals finding their own strength within these walls. “Let’s do it.”
This would be more than a gym. It would be a community center, a place of growth. And I was ready to lead the charge. Here, at least.
“All right, Ky, I better get going,” I said reluctantly. “I’ve been in town long enough for word to have reached the alpha by now. I suppose it’s time for me to pay my respects.”
“I thought you’d have visited your parents first,” he said. “You haven’t seen them for what, two years?”
“I never claimed to be the perfect son, Ky,” I said, the words sounding bitter to even my ears. My parents had suffered theloss of a son. But for me, it wasn’t just about losing my brother; it was also about losing control over my own future.
Leaving Ky behind to lock up, I slung my bag over my shoulder and got into my car to make the drive to the alpha house.
I’d barely stepped over the threshold of my childhood home before my mother wrapped me in a hug that squeezed the travel weariness right out of my bones.
“Welcome home,” she said, her voice thick with emotion.
“Thanks, Mom. It’s good to be back,” I said, feeling her warmth seep into me.
“We heard you arrived a few hours ago,” Mom said, her eyes filled with concern. “I was getting worried.”
“Sorry, Mom, I should have called. I swung by the new gym to catch up with Ky.”
