17. Noah
NOAH
T he ring in the center of the room provided me with an excellent vantage point to study the energetic hustle and bustle in the gym.
It was alive with sound—the rhythmic thump of the punching bags, the whoosh of the jump rope, and the metallic clink of weights being lifted and lowered.
Seeing the effort Ky and I had put into establishing the gym come to fruition filled me with pride.
My trainee, Lloyd, bounced in the ring and grinned, revealing his mouthguard. His opponent signaled he was ready, and I started their sparring session.
“Watch your blocking, Lloyd. Try cutting more to the left to avoid getting cornered,” I called out, circling the ring and watching as he danced around his sparring partner, analyzing his jabs, studying his footwork.
A familiar tug from the depths of my being diverted my attention.
“Hey, Noah!” Roland’s excited shout carried through the gym. His enthusiasm could have powered the city for days.
I glanced over at the reception desk where he and Zoey were waiting. Roland waved like he was trying to flag down a plane.
I chuckled and nodded at him, “Morning, Ro. Go change and come out to the ring, okay?”
The exuberant boy nodded, then grabbed the bag from Zoey’s hands and dashed away with the energy of a pint-sized hurricane.
Zoey made her way over to the ring, and the pull of our bond caused my wolf to stir deep inside.
His reaction to her scent, her presence, made my blood pulse and pool in a way that wasn’t exactly appropriate in the gym.
To prevent any potential embarrassment, I recited the nine times table silently to myself.
We were getting closer, inch by inch, day by day. The past week had been a whirlwind of shared moments since the debacle with George’s lackey. It felt like something real was building between us.
After I’d told her she was mine, I realized how controlling that sounded, how she could easily think I was coming into her life to pick up where that bastard had left off. I worked hard to reassure her, and I would continue to prove to her I was nothing like George.
The only thing we had in common was that he was also an alpha, which was a disgrace to the title, if you asked me.
Any man—shifter or human—who put his hands on a woman was a coward, and I’d told her that.
If I had to, I’d tell her every day for the rest of our lives that it came from a place of love, not coercion.
If she didn’t want this, I’d respect her wishes and walk away. I’d be heartbroken, but I’d accept it.
“Ready for today?” I asked. I’d suggested Ro spar with another kid. It was one thing to hit pads, but to be in the ring with someone else was a whole different experience.
The kid I’d paired him with was one of Ky’s better students, but the sparring match wasn’t about which kid won. I wanted to assess how Ro would react if he ended up losing.
“Of course,” Zoey said, but she cast a wary glance Ro’s way.
When I’d brought it up, I tried to lessen her concerns, reminding her that Ro would be a strong alpha one day, and he needed to learn control.
This wasn’t a lesson in failure. I saw it as an opportunity to shape his future.
Learning to control my wolf in this manner had been good for me, and I was sure it could only be beneficial for Ro as well.
“He’ll be fine, Zoey,” I reassured her, focusing on the sparring match just in time to see Lloyd throw a solid hook. “Nice job, keep it up. Watch your feet!” I called out. “Watch your opponent, look for his tells.”
My mind circled to another fight, one that wasn’t in the ring.
Keeping Lloyd in sight, I said, “I have a friend. Claire. She went through hell in family court, trying to keep custody of her kids. Her ex wasn’t physically abusive, but he was an ass.
Told the court she was a gambler, a drug addict—all sorts of crap.
It was an emotional rollercoaster. She hired a lawyer, a no-nonsense woman who’s known for her fierce courtroom skills.
She was great with Claire and had zero tolerance for her ex’s games.
“I called Claire and got the lawyer’s number.
Her name’s Margaret Cameron. I reached out to her and told her about you and Roland, and what I knew about George.
She is more than willing to handle your case, but she requires confirmation from you.
” I said, giving Zoey a minute to process. “I’ve put a retainer down?—”
“Noah, you didn’t have to do that,” Zoey cut in.
“No, I told you I’d do this.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and texted Zoey the number. “Those are her details. Call her when you’re ready. She did suggest you might want to make a report with the police here, so they have something official on paper and can file for a restraining order.”
She inhaled sharply, and the distinct scent of her fear filled the air. “I’m not… I can’t… if I speak to the police, it will only make things worse.” She stared off into space for a moment, then refocused. “Thank you, Noah. I know you’re trying to help, and that means a lot.”
“I meant it when I said you’re mine, Zoey. You and Ro. Whatever you need.” And I meant it. Every word.
The memory of our last date clung to me like the lingering scent of rain on dry earth. Though we hadn’t crossed that line since, that sweet, intoxicating taste of her haunted my every thought. I yearned for more, but patience was a virtue I was learning to master, especially when it came to her.
“Don’t let your guard down,” I cautioned Lloyd. He was dropping his left after each jab, a rookie mistake that kept him wide open.
He tucked his chin and adjusted his stance, and it made all the difference. A clean dodge followed by a swift uppercut sent his opponent staggering back.
“Nice!” I shouted in approval. I hadn’t thought I would like this so much, shaping these young potentials into something formidable.
It was a distraction, a necessary one, from the gnawing desire that stirred whenever Zoey was close.
This work reminded me that life was more than just the urges of my inner wolf.
It was about control, focus, and the sweet triumphs found within these four walls.
Ro’s small frame vibrated like a tightly coiled spring, eager to step into the ring. Watching him, Zoey worried her lip between her teeth, her hands clasped together like she was praying for her son’s safety.
“It’s just a light spar,” I reminded her, trying to ease her worry.
Ro bounded over to me, gloves up and bouncing on the balls of his feet. “I’m ready!”
I helped him clamber up into the ring while Ky guided his young trainee, Craig, to the opposite corner.
The boys met in the middle of the ring, were introduced, and bumped gloves before moving to their respective corners.
I crouched in front of Ro, tightening his headgear. “Keep it controlled, Ro. Watch your opponent and find their rhythm.”
As the bell signaled the start, I watched closely, assessing Ro’s movements. He’d absorbed every word I said, his focus sharp. When he threw a jab followed by a quick sidestep to avoid a counter jab, I couldn’t help but be impressed.
“Speed, Ro, use that speed,” I called.
He darted in and out, landing a few solid taps on the other boy.
Each hit was clean and precise, and pride surged through me.
Ro was more than just some kid with a heavy punch.
He was strong and smart. He would be one hell of an alpha one day.
And he’d be a better man than his father could ever hope to be.
“Good,” I called. “Pivot! Follow through!”
Ro executed the move flawlessly, his natural talent shining through. It was a sight to see, this young boy holding his own, and it gave me a glimmer of hope for what he could become, both in and out of the ring.
Craig, muscles bunching with newfound determination, started circling Ro more aggressively. I caught Ky’s eye across the ring. We both saw it. Ro’s potential wasn’t just showing—it was glowing. With a subtle nod, Ky and I agreed to let the bout play through.
“Get your elbow up!” Ky barked to his charge while I leaned on the ropes, guiding Ro.
“Breathe, Ro,” I called. “Wait for it...”
Ro moved with agility and grace, bobbing and weaving like a professional boxer, never losing sight of his opponent. Others gathered around the ring, their attention fixed on the tiny dynamo that was Ro.
“Move in after his left… now,” I said.
Like he was born to do this, Ro slipped past the jab and landed a textbook uppercut. Those watching cheered, but I remained focused, calling out adjustments and watching Ro adapt instantly.
“Time!” Ky finally called, the bell ringing through the clamor.
Applause rang out through the gym as Ro raced across the mat, his chest heaving from exertion, his face illuminated with the unmistakable glow of triumph.
“Did I win?” he asked me.
I lifted his gloved hand, and another cheer erupted. His eagerness made me chuckle. “Yeah, kid, you won.”
He flashed a cheeky grin. “Do winners get ice cream?”
I laughed. “Let’s see what your mom says.”
While Ro went to the changing rooms, I sat next to Zoey. “Ro asked about ice cream. You up for some creamy goodness and the company of a fine man?”
She scanned the room, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “I don’t see any fine men, but I’ll be happy with your company.”
She laughed, then shocked me when she pressed her lips to mine in a sweet, chaste kiss.
The bell over the door of the ice cream parlor jingled as we entered. Ro barely contained his energy, bouncing ahead to scan the rainbow of flavors displayed in the glass case.
“Can I have double chocolate and... and chocolate?” he asked.
“Sure thing, champ,” I said, then turned to Zoey. “Today was just a practice bout to assess his skill. I’d like to increase his sessions. He’s quick on his toes. He has a real natural ability. He’s good, Zoey.”