5. Noah
NOAH
I entered a room full of defined bodies and bare skin.
Many of the women had opted for sports bras and shorts or tight leggings.
Most heads turned in my direction, many of them smirking like they’d just hit some kind of jackpot.
I kept my face neutral as I searched the class, careful not to linger and give anyone the wrong impression.
There was a tug in my soul, an invisible force compelling me to move farther into the room. My gaze landed on Zoey, who was tucked in the back corner. She wasn’t flaunting herself like the others. Her outfit was modest and practical. It told me all I needed to know. She meant business.
When our eyes met, a guilty flush crept up my neck, and I averted my eyes.
I’d had trouble settling down last night, thinking of Zoey and the upcoming class.
I’d gone on a run, my wolf urging me to check on Heather’s place again.
Honestly, it hadn’t taken much convincing from him.
I’d found a vantage point in the trees, allowing me to observe the back of the house.
Zoey’s soft lilt had carried out through an open window as she read her son a bedtime story. Her interactions were warm, and even from a distance, I could feel the love. When she was done reading to her son, she joined Heather in the kitchen, and their conversation confirmed my suspicions.
A cold dread had settled in my stomach as the details of the cruelty she’d experienced unfolded.
My mind reeled, trying to comprehend the nightmare she had lived through.
How could a man claim to love a woman and then treat her like that?
Hearing Zoey’s broken sobs had been excruciating.
It should have been me consoling her, my arms wrapped around as she unleashed the pain she held inside her.
My wolf demanded that I push forward and make her mine, to guard our mate, keep her and her son safe.
I pulled him back. We had to move slowly. Get to know Zoey Lester and gain her trust.
Still, thinking about what she had endured pissed me off and agitated my wolf. I’d encountered men like her ex before on the boxing circuit. They were the type who would readily throw punches at a woman outside the ring, but far less when confronted by another man.
Violence against women should never be tolerated.
Knowing it had happened to her, my fated mate, made me want to track the bastard down, tear his fucking head off, and hand it to her on a plate.
But I couldn’t do that. Inflicting that kind of brutality would only result in Zoey fearing me, too.
She needed to feel empowered in her own ability to protect herself and her son.
So, I would support her and ensure she got the most out of this class.
I had to redirect my focus, get my act together, and give the class the attention it deserved.
“Everyone is here for their own reasons,” I said, surprised my voice was so steady when my blood was still boiling at the thought of Zoey being hurt.
“And it’s my job to make sure you leave with the tools to defend yourself. ”
“Let’s start with some basic stretches,” I instructed, moving to the front of the room. “Follow my lead.”
I demonstrated a hamstring stretch, planting my feet and reaching for my toes.
A group of women at the front began mimicking me, but their attempts at seductive displays were sadly predictable.
Ignoring them, I focused on making sure everyone was following the movements correctly.
Their shoulders slumped, and they became less engaged as they realized I wasn’t romantically interested in them.
It wouldn’t surprise me if they didn’t come back to class.
Ultimately, what mattered most was that those who were here for genuine reasons found value in the class.
It was a self-defense class, not speed dating.
“Good form is crucial,” I stated. “It prevents injuries.”
As I scanned the room, I caught Zoey’s reflection in the mirror. She was following along, her movements careful and precise. I didn’t fixate on her. Fuck knows I wanted to, but I didn’t want her to feel singled out or self-conscious under my gaze.
“Sorry I’m late, Noah!” Carla burst through the door, her voice slicing through the stillness.
“Carla. Glad you could join us,” I said flatly, shooting her a look that she knew meant we’ll talk later .
“All right, everyone, gather around. Now that we’ve warmed up, we’ll start, but first I want to make a quick introduction.
” I gestured towards Carla. “This is Carla Winton. She’ll be helping me teach the class. ”
It was interesting to witness the range of reactions. Some were obviously disappointed that I wouldn’t be their exclusive tutor. Others, like Zoey, visibly relaxed.
“Over the next six weeks, we’ll cover fundamental self-defense techniques, strikes, blocks, and evasion tactics. You’ll learn how to assess threats and react under pressure.” I paused, scanning their faces. “But I want to know what you aim to achieve personally by the end of this course.”
A few hands shot up immediately. One woman wanted to feel safe walking at night, another wanted to gain confidence. I nodded along to their answers, but I was waiting for one voice in particular.
“Zoey?” I asked, careful to keep my tone neutral. “What about you?”
She hesitated, her eyes darting around before they met mine. “I... I want to protect myself. So I can’t be hurt again.”
“Thank you.” I nodded, acknowledging her courage to speak up.
“Let’s split into two groups now,” I said, pointing to six of the twelve women. “Ladies, you are group one. You will work with me. Group two, you’re with Carla.”
Zoey’s shoulders relaxed as she walked over to Carla, some of her tension fading. Bringing Carla on board had been the right move. For Zoey and other women, a female instructor could ease some of the intimidation they might feel from me.
I deliberately avoided making eye contact with Zoey, despite my strong urge to ensure her well-being. My wolf didn’t like this. He was an alpha. It was his job to protect his mate, not watch passively as his mate learned how to take care of herself.
Throughout the class, I kept stealing glances at the second group.
Zoey followed Carla’s instructions intently.
She moved with purpose, and I was sure her trauma fueled her determination.
I made a mental note to tailor the sessions to her needs so she could reclaim the strength I could see within her.
After class, I caught up with Carla and reminded her of my expectations. I was happy to let trainers determine their own timetables, but punctuality was important. It didn’t give off a good impression if instructors were late.
We also discussed the curriculum I had put together for the self-defense class.
While I emphasized disciplined techniques, she pointed out that those might slip the mind in intense situations.
Teaching additional methods, such as targeting vulnerable areas like the eyes and groin, could be more effective.
I was wiping down some of the equipment when Zoey and Heather came out of the changing room. “What did you two think of the class today?” I asked them.
Heather’s smile lit up her face. “It was great, Noah. Really interesting.”
I turned to Zoey.
She nodded. “Yeah, it feels... promising.”
I wished Zoey would look up at me just once, but she didn’t. Her gaze was fixed to the floor, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. It pissed me off that the fucker had broken her spirit so much, she couldn’t meet a man’s eyes.
“Zoey?”
My wolf’s anger must have bled into my voice because Heather flinched, instinctively starting to bare her throat in submission before she caught herself. When Zoey took a hesitant step back, her body trembling slightly, I realized I was the one making her feel cornered now.
“Sorry,” I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fists in an effort to leash my temper. “Didn’t mean to... I’ll see you both next class.”
I turned on my heel and stalked away, my hands itching to hit something, to channel the fury raging inside me.
In the public part of the gym, the familiar sounds of gloves hitting bags and grunts of exertion did nothing to calm me down.
My next client was due any minute now, yet I found my attention drawn to the boys sparring in the ring.
They fought with a rawness that usually grounded me, reminded me why I did this job: to teach control, strength, and defense.
But today, all I could think about was the fear on Zoey’s face.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath, scrubbing a hand over my face. Guilt twisted in my gut. I’d wanted to make her feel safe, not remind her of the terror she’d lived through.
“Focus,” I muttered to myself. “You’ve got work to do.” But as I wrapped my hands, I knew it wouldn’t be easy to shake off the image of Zoey Lester looking so haunted.
Ky leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. “Earth to Noah, where’s your head at?”
The question snapped me out of my thoughts. I glanced at him as I finished wrapping my hands with tape. “Just... thinking about Zoey,” I admitted.
“Zoey, huh?” A frown creased his brow.
“I spoke to her earlier. She seems so incredibly fragile, Ky. I have this overwhelming urge to take care of her every need, but she won’t even acknowledge my presence.”
Ky watched me closely, his brows furrowing in concern. “She’s got a lot going on, Noah. I watched my mom struggle for a long time to recover from the shit my old man put her through. You sure that’s something you wanna take on right now?”
“Yeah, I know. It’s not the right time for... all this,” I said, gesturing vaguely with my hand.
“Then let it be,” Ky said, his voice firm yet not unkind. “She doesn’t need a guy chasing after her right now.”
“Chasing?” I shook my head, frustration seeping into my voice. “No, not chasing. I can’t just switch off how I feel, man. She’s my fated mate.”
Ky raised an eyebrow, but didn’t press further. He knew better than to argue when it came to matters of the wolf.
“Patience is a virtue. Remember that,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder.
“Patience has never been my strong suit,” I grumbled, turning my attention back to the ring. “But for Zoey, I’ll try. When she’s ready, I want her to see me as someone she can trust. Someone who can protect her and be there for her son, too.”
“Good. Just don’t rush it, Noah. Give her the space she needs.”
With another nod, I stepped toward the ring, the resolve settling deep within me. Zoey would have the time she needed, and I’d be ready whenever she was.