27. Noah
NOAH
I ’d barely slept the night before. Even after Zoey had whispered at me to go, I stayed, standing sentry until the next beta came to take over.
I wouldn’t leave her alone. Not until her psychopath ex wasn’t a problem anymore.
My hope lay with Margaret Cameron, the lawyer, and her reputation for getting women out of difficult situations.
I stood away from the gathered pack, my feet rooted to the ground, but my mind was miles away.
The faces had blurred into a sea of concern and anticipation as they’d each come to offer me fealty.
But all I could see was Zoey’s face, her eyes darting away from mine, her voice trembling as she pushed me away.
“Something’s not right,” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else. It took a moment before I realized Sam had sidled up beside me, his brow furrowed.
“You gonna be okay to do this?” he asked, nodding toward the expectant crowd.
“Zoey ended things between us to protect me,” I said, ignoring his question. “Either George got to her, or she’s trying to save me from her past.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “You think it’s that simple?”
“Doesn’t matter.” I shrugged. “It doesn’t change what I have to do.”
“What do you mean?” Sam asked. “Zoey may not be my blood, Noah, but she’s my daughter in every way that counts. If you think there’s a danger, you owe it to me to tell me.”
“George is a problem,” I grumbled. “That restraining order won’t hold him back. Not from Zoey, not from Ro.”
Sam’s jaw clenched. He knew the stakes as well as I did. “Then what’s your move?”
I could feel it, the power coursing through me, an affirmation from the wolf that he not only understood the gravity of our decision, but wanted it. “I take the oath,” I said. “Then I issue the challenge. After that, George is done.”
“Done?” Sam asked, but there was no need for elaboration. He saw the reality etched into my features. “Then you end this threat?” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.” The rumble of my wolf vibrated against my rib cage, a primal agreement that echoed through my bones. “We kill George. And then… then I can make Zoey mine.”
The crowd hushed as my father raised his hand. Sam and a few others made their way to their seats.
Dad’s voice carried through the air. “We are gathered here on sacred ground to mark a momentous occasion,” he began, eyes sweeping across the sea of faces before locking on mine. The ceremony was as old as time, a rite that bound us all.
“Today,” he continued, “we embrace change. We honor the past and forge our future.”
He nodded to me, a silent beacon guiding me forward. I moved to stand beside him, the space around us empty save for the weight of expectation.
“Before we begin,” I said, “I want to speak of Nate.” Silence fell like a cloak.
“My brother. My twin. This was his destiny. He should’ve been the one standing here.
” I paused, gathering the shards of my composure.
“His spirit lingers. He watches over us, and in his honor, I’ll take this role.
For him, for us, I’ll be the alpha he would have been.
I promise to uphold our traditions, protect our kin, and lead with the strength he showed in every aspect of his life. ”
I could feel the presence of my wolf, supportive and fierce, lending me courage. “To Nate,” I finished. “Who guides us still.”
There were nods, murmurs of agreement, and the sensation of unity that always came when we remembered one of our own. When I looked at my mother, I saw her wiping at her cheeks with a tissue. She gave me a watery smile of approval.
“Let us proceed,” my father said, his voice softening as he gestured toward the ancient text from which I’d take my oath.
I hesitated for just a moment, glancing at the text before me, at the ancient words that would seal my commitment. The magnitude of my impending decision held me in place. There was no chance to change my mind.
Zoey’s face surfaced, her hazel eyes wide with fear. She deserved freedom, safety, and a life without looking over her shoulder. And our pack needed stability, a leader to guide them. For both their sakes, I couldn’t falter.
Drawing in a deep breath, I gazed at the people gathered before me. Their faces were expectant and anxious, all waiting for me to lead them into tomorrow.
Among the many familiar faces, I found Sam’s. He nodded solemnly, an unspoken understanding passing between us. But the space where Zoey, Ro, and Heather should have been was glaringly empty. A dull ache spread through my chest. The two most important people weren’t here to witness this moment.
Heather’s with her , I reminded myself and my wolf.
Zoey wasn’t ready for the pack, for the raw emotions that clung to us like the ghost of a forgotten melody.
Even though we’d only begun to scratch the surface of our feelings for each other, I knew she was hurting.
Distance was her refuge, and Heather would be her protector today.
Nonetheless, the absence of Zoey and Ro bothered me. It was a constant reminder of the void I longed to fill. I wasn’t Ro’s father, but somewhere deep down, I harbored the hope that one day I could fill that role. It fueled my next steps, solidifying the path I was about to take.
With determination steeling my spine, I turned back to the text, ready to embrace my fate as alpha. For them, for Zoey, for all of us.
The murmur of the pack hushed once more as I stood in front of the book and prepared to speak. My father’s eyes locked with mine, a silent transfer of responsibility before he stepped back, leaving me alone in the center.
“I vow to lead with strength and wisdom,” I intoned. “To protect our territory and our kind. To honor the legacy of those who came before me and pave the way for those who will follow.”
The oath took hold of my being, its solemn commitment echoing within the chambers of my heart. I could feel every eye on me, every ounce of expectation.
“Today, I take this oath not just as your alpha but as a protector, a guardian for every soul within Boldercrest. For those here, and those who cannot be here.”
When my declaration ended, the silence was palpable. Then, as if on cue, the pack erupted into howls and cheers, making the ground vibrate at my feet.
Without another word, I turned, feeling the change ripple through me. Bones reformed, muscles shifted, and fur sprouted across my skin. The transformation from man to wolf was second nature, a relief almost. The wolf was simpler, driven by pure instinct and need.
As my paws hit the earth, my father’s wolf joined me, his gray coat a contrast to mine. One by one, the pack followed suit, their human forms giving way to their wolves.
We ran.
The forest blurred past us in a kaleidoscope of green and brown. We raced through the trees, our paws thudding in unison, a drumbeat to a new era. With each stride, I pushed the boundaries of our land, marking it as ours. As mine.
With each breath, I carried Zoey and Ro with me, along with the promise of safety and a life free from fear. This run was for them. For us.
We were many, but we ran as one. We ran as the Boldercrest pack.
I walked through the front door of the alpha house, still panting from the run, and headed straight for my father’s study. He’d returned early to deal with some paperwork for the transfer of alpha.
“Need to talk to you,” I said as I barged in, not bothering with formalities.
He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly. “What is it?”
“George. I’m challenging him. I want it set up as soon as possible.” My voice was like gravel, the words leaving no room for discussion.
My father leaned back in his chair, a deep sigh escaping him. “I thought that might be the case, so I sent two of my betas to issue the formal summons.”
“Good.” I spun on my heel and left the room, my mind already plotting George’s downfall. One way or another, I would make sure that bastard died.
I’d only gotten as far as the back door when my father’s roar had me running back. I stormed back into his study. “What is it?”
“Jake just called from George’s place.” His face was grim as he turned from the window. “We have a problem. Your challenge can’t be issued.”
“What do you mean?” I demanded, frustration boiling beneath my skin.
“The place is empty. No sign of him.”
“Empty?” My fists clenched involuntarily. “He’s running?”
“Could be,” my father muttered, scratching his chin. “Or it’s a ploy. That fucker loves playing games.”
“Games.” The word tasted like poison. Zoey and Ro were in danger, and the asshole was playing games. “If he was after Zoey, he’d have gone there first. We can’t sit on our asses and hope George just strolls back into town,” I snapped, pacing the length of the study. “We find him.”
“Agreed.” My father stood, a rare hint of urgency in his movements. “We mobilize everyone.”
“Good.” I pulled out my phone and dialed the beta who was on watch duty. “Give me a report, Brian.”
“Nothing out of the ordinary here,” Brian said. The sounds of the night whispered in the background. “Heather’s house is quiet, Zoey and…”
Suddenly, a muffled scuffle erupted over the line, followed by Brian’s grunt of pain. A moment later, an unmistakable howl tore through the connection.
“Brian?” I shouted into the phone, adrenaline coursing through me. But there was only silence, save for the ominous echo of that howl in my ears.
“Fuck!” I cursed.
My father was beside me in an instant, his own face full of alarm. “Go!” he barked.
I bolted out the back door, heart pounding in my chest like a war drum. The cool night air slapped against my skin as I burst out into the open, the moon overhead a silent witness to the urgency that propelled me forward.
For the second time that night, I shifted. Muscles and bones contorted with practiced ease as my human form gave way to the massive wolf. My sandy fur bristled with anticipation. No hesitation, no fear, only the need to protect. To fight.
The forest became a blur of trees as I took the direct path to Heather’s place. Two hulking wolves jumped out from the underbrush. Not as big as me, but fierce, their eyes glinting with malicious intent. They weren’t here by chance.
I growled, a low rumble that vibrated through the ground. There was no mistaking my meaning or intent—get the fuck out of my way, or suffer the consequences.
They lunged simultaneously, teeth bared, aiming for my throat.
I sidestepped and rammed into the first wolf, sending him skidding across the dirt.
The second one was smarter, darting in quickly, nipping at my flanks.
But I was faster. I was nothing but rage and strength, and these pups didn’t stand a chance.
Claws and fangs flashed in the pale light, the sound of snarls ripping through the silence. Soon, they lay unconscious on the forest floor, defeated. I didn’t even spare them a glance as I leaped over their bodies, legs pumping hard as I picked up speed.
Heather’s house was closer now, and with every beat of my heart, I felt the threat looming larger. George’s stench was all over the ambush, reeking of his cowardice and cruelty.
I pushed harder, faster. Deep down, I knew George was making his move, and Zoey and Ro were in the crosshairs.
Not if I could help it. Not while I still breathed.