11. Noah #2
“Your ex never told you that an alpha should be present for Ro’s first shift?” I asked, though I already suspected the answer.
Zoey shook her head. “No, he never showed much interest in Ro as his son. Hell, he barely acknowledged him, let alone his wolf. George’s primary concern was George, his business, and how he appeared to others.
Unless he needed a prop to create the illusion of being a dedicated family man, Ro was barely a blip on his radar. ”
I hated myself for bringing it up. Her easy demeanor had disappeared, and she started folding and unfolding her napkin until it tore at the seams. Zoey’s gaze swept across the restaurant, her posture stiff, as if she feared the mere mention of George’s name would make him appear.
“I think… I think he hated Ro for diverting my attention away from him,” Zoey said. “George believed my focus should be on him and only him.”
Nothing she told me was a surprise. From the information I’d found on George James online, I’d already figured he was an arrogant, manipulative piece of shit. And that had just been a surface-level search.
But watching this remarkable woman, my mate, practically brought to her knees just speaking about him? That this fucker still held so much sway over her?
A fierce desire ignited within my wolf. He wanted to pursue the bastard, wanted to crush him.
Taking deliberate, measured breaths, I concentrated on tightening my control over him, determined not to let her see the true depth of my power.
It would spook her. Roland was a great kid, so bright and resourceful.
His wolf would be powerful, a force to be reckoned with.
Both he and Zoey deserved a life that surpassed what they’d experienced so far.
I reached across the table to take her hand, offering reassurance. She hesitated when I touched her, but when she relaxed and left her hand in mine, the triumph was greater than any championship title.
“The first shift isn’t easy,” I told her.
“It can be rough, especially if you’re going at it alone.
Having other wolves around definitely makes it easier.
I wanted to ask you if you’d be okay with my father and me helping Roland?
Having two alphas onside will help his wolf feel safer and comfortable, which would allow him to shift without causing too much trouble. ”
She watched me carefully as I spoke. I held her gaze, hoping she could see the truth in my offer. Zoey’s guard momentarily faltered, allowing a vulnerable honesty to shine through.
“Really?” she asked with hope and disbelief. “You’d do that for Ro?”
“Of course.” I nodded. “It’s what any responsible alpha would offer.”
She played with the edge of the tablecloth, avoiding me. “That... that would mean a lot to us. To Ro.”
“Hey,” I said softly, waiting for her to look up before I continued. “We’ve got his back, Zoey. You’re not in this alone anymore.”
Something unspoken passed between us, a silent acknowledgment of a bond that was forming, fragile but true. A small smile teased at the corners of her mouth, transforming her expression into something lighter. Hopeful, even.
“Thank you.” As simple as they were, the two words conveyed her immense relief.
“Anytime,” I said, my wolf stirring with the urge to protect, to care for these two souls who had stumbled into our lives. “Anytime.”
As we finished our meal, George’s presence diminished, though his impact remained. I shifted the conversation away from her past to lighter topics, sharing stories about my life, Nate, and my passion for boxing.
When the check came, she reached into her purse.
“I’m a gentleman,” I told her. “I wouldn’t invite you to dinner and make you pay.”
Her head tilted, and she gave me a curious once-over. “A shifter, a boxer, an alpha, and a gentleman.” A playful smile tugged at her lips. “Your head must get exhausted wearing all those hats.”
I barked out a laugh.
Though I’d stretched it out as long as I could, the evening had to end. My wolf pissed at me for letting her go, wanting me to take her and make her mine. He really didn’t understand the concept of patience, not when it came to our mate.
As we walked to Zoey’s car, a sudden chill skittered down my spine, and I immediately went on high alert.
The air was still—too still. The absence of bird calls and nocturnal creatures created an unsettling atmosphere.
An eerie presence seemed to seep out of the shadows.
My veins pulsed with raw power, my instincts finely tuned for the hunt, but I concealed my concern, not wanting to alarm Zoey.
She got in her car and rolled down the window. “Thank you. Dinner was lovely.”
“If you ever want company or just feel like talking, give me a call,” I said.
Her smile was shy but genuine. It spread slowly, lighting up her face and reaching places inside me I hadn’t known were cold. Something warm bloomed in my chest as she drove away.
I lingered, watching the taillights vanish into the night before turning my attention to the surroundings. Something felt off. There was an oily substance to the atmosphere, heavy with intent and malice. Someone had been here, watched us, and they were not pleased.
I sniffed the air, opening myself up to the more subtle cues of the environment. That’s when it hit me. That same distinct scent I’d encountered at Heather’s place. There was no mistaking that particular odor of hostility and something foul, like spoiled milk.
A low growl rumbled in my throat. The gravel crunched beneath my boots as I surveyed the lot, every muscle coiled tight, ready to spring. My wolf was close to the surface, hackles raised, a silent snarl vibrating through me. No one was in sight, but that meant nothing.
I grabbed my phone and dialed. “Hey, Mike.” My father’s most trusted beta was watching Heather’s place.
“Stay alert. She’s on her way back now. Lance should be behind her.
Traffic’s light, so I didn’t want him following directly from the restaurant.
He’s two blocks down. I messaged him before we left. ”
“Yeah, he’s got her, boss. We’re all here. Nothing’s getting past us.”
“Good. Let me know the moment she’s safe inside.”
I ended the call, shoving the phone back into my pocket. I walked to my car, straining my senses to their absolute limits. As I opened the door, there was a minute change in the air pressure to my right. Without thinking, my hand shot out and clamped around a stranger’s throat.
“Good instincts,” he choked out, smirking despite the pressure I put on his throat. The arrogance of the man was staggering. I didn’t need an introduction to know this was George James, Zoey’s scumbag ex. He reeked of the same negative hatred I’d scented near her sister’s place.
“Should’ve known better, George,” I growled, my grip tightening enough to make his face darken as blood flow was restricted. “Sneaking up on an alpha is bad enough, but trying to blindside a boxer?” I shook my head in faux concern. “That’s not very smart.”
“Can’t... breathe...” he gasped, clawing at my hand.
It would be so easy to keep up the pressure, to watch the life leave the fucker, to free Zoey from his clutches. Even if it was self-defense, the courts wouldn’t look kindly at me taking someone’s life. Since I was a skilled fighter, it would be challenging to argue that the fight was fair.
“Remember this feeling,” I snarled. “How it feels to have your breath stolen from you. Next time, I might not let go.”
With a grunt, I shoved him away from me. George stumbled back, a hand flying to his neck as he greedily sucked in air. His neck was already bruising, his face a mottled red from the lack of oxygen. He straightened, dusting off his clothes as if to regain some semblance of dignity.
“You’ll pay for that,” George rasped out.
Anger flared within me, hot and raw. My wolf pushed against my skin, demanding retribution. The nerve of this man, thinking he could intimidate me with empty promises of vengeance.
“Is that so?” I challenged, my stance wide and ready.
Fear flashed across George’s features, genuine fear that made him look almost human. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, hard appearance of a man used to getting his way. He took a step back, his chest puffed out in an attempt to regain control and assert his dominance.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Noah Alexander.”
His words, laced with menace, slid off me like water. He’d done his research, but I wasn’t about to let the likes of him get to me.
“Stay away from Zoey, or you’ll regret it.” George sneered, his false bravado as thin as the crisp night air around us.
“Let me make one thing crystal-clear. You come near her or Roland again, and it won’t be regrets you’re nursing. It’ll be the last mistake you ever make.”
George’s face twisted into a scowl. “Do you even know who I am?”
I stepped closer until we were almost nose to nose. “No. And frankly, I don’t give a fuck. But here’s what I do know: Zoey and her son are under pack protection. Lay a hand on either of them, and it’s a death sentence.”
“Pack protection?” he scoffed. “You think that scares me?”
“Shouldn’t it?” I asked, mocking him. “Because if I were you, I’d start believing in monsters.”
“You don’t seem to understand you’re not the monster in this equation. You’re only asking for trouble here, Noah.”
“Trouble?” My calm tone was a sharp contrast to the very real vein throbbing at George’s temple. “That sounds like a threat.”
“I don’t make threats. Consider it a promise,” he snapped. “I’ve got associates everywhere. Don’t think I don’t know what happened at the gym with my boy.”
A dry laugh escaped me. “You mean when I taught your son what it is to fight like a true man? Funny you’d take issue with that, considering.”
His jaw clenched, and I could see the animosity smoldering beneath the surface. But I stood my ground.