35. Zoey #4
“Hey.” Noah set his glass down, then placed his palms on my cheeks.
“I promise you, no matter what happens between you and me, I will always be there for Ro. I’ll keep teaching him and helping him.
Nothing is going to change that.” He pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
“I mean it. I care about you both so much.”
We stayed like that, holding each other. Then something occurred to me.
“Wait,” I said. “I thought when you became alpha, you’d have to give up coaching? That you wouldn’t have time anymore?”
Noah pulled back, picking up his glass again. “I’m hoping to keep only a few students. The ones who really need me, like Ro. I won’t be able to be as hands-on as before, but”—he shrugged—“my dad never gave up golfing. I figure I can make time for a boxing session here and there.”
I stared at him in amazement. “I never thought... Noah, are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like you have to?—”
“I want to,” he said firmly. “Being alpha is important, but so is this. You, Ro, the gym... it’s part of who I am. I’m not ready to give that up.”
I set my glass down and threw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. He grunted a little in pain, but hugged me back just as fiercely.
Letting go of him, I took another sip of wine. “Noah, what exactly does being alpha mean for you? How will it change your life?”
He rubbed a hand over his face. “Well, I’ll have to run the pack, and be there for them emotionally. I’m also responsible for the businesses the pack owns. And I have to look out for the well-being of all the members.”
“So, it’s kind of like being a coach to… everyone?” I asked, trying to wrap my head around the scope of his new role.
Noah looked contemplative. “You know, I never thought of it like that before. But yeah, I suppose it is, in a way.”
“I’m glad you’ll still be a positive influence in Ro’s life. I have to admit, and I’m a little embarrassed, but I’m pretty sure Ro tried using some of the same manipulation techniques George did. Not with the same finesse, but I’ve seen a glint of it.”
Noah grew serious and took my hand. “Ro’s just a kid, and George was his main role model for a long time. It’s natural that he’d pick up some of that behavior.”
I squeezed his hand, grateful for his understanding. “I know. I just worry about him. About the impact George had.”
We sat at the kitchen counter in comfortable silence for a while, my head on his shoulder, his arm around me. It felt good, safe. Eventually, I glanced at the clock and sighed.
“I should get going. It’s getting late, and I need to be close to Ro after everything that’s happened.”
Noah’s arm tightened around me before he released me and stood up. “I understand. Let me drive you home.”
We drove in silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. Noah held my hand the whole way, rubbing soothing circles on my skin with my thumb. When he pulled up to Heather’s house, he turned to face me.
“I meant what I said. I’m here for you and Ro, whatever you need. Don’t hesitate to call me, okay?”
I blinked back tears. “I won’t. Thank you. For everything.”
He leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine. “No thanks needed, Zoey.”
We headed inside, and my hands shook slightly as I unlocked the front door. Not from nerves, but the proximity to Noah. He had that effect on me.
Ro came bounding down the stairs. “Noah!”
“Hey, buddy.” Noah grinned and ruffled Ro’s hair. “What are you doing up so late?”
“I heard you come in,” Ro said. “Noah, are you still gonna let me fight at the gym now that you’re the alpha?”
I blinked in surprise. How did Ro know about Noah becoming the alpha? I hadn’t told him. “Ro, where did you hear that Noah is the alpha now?” I asked him.
“I heard Grandpa Sam talking about it on the phone with someone.”
I sighed and gave Noah an apologetic look. “I’m sorry. Adults tend to forget about little ears listening sometimes. Seems Grandpa Sam has forgotten what it’s like to have kids around. I’ll need to remind him to be more discreet.”
Noah waved off my apology. “No worries.” He turned his attention to Ro.
“Just because I’m alpha doesn’t mean things are gonna change much.
The gym’s not closing. I may not be able to be there coaching as often, but you can definitely keep training as long as it’s what you want to do and it’s okay with your mom. ”
Ro looked at me, his eyes wide and hopeful. “Can I, Mom? Please?”
Like I could say no to that face. “You can keep training.”
Ro whooped and pumped his fist in the air. “Yes!”
I grinned. Clearly, boxing meant the world to him, and I had made the right decision.
Ro bounced on his toes, a huge grin splitting his face. “This is awesome, I can’t wait to get my gloves back on.”
Noah chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Hold up there, champ. If you’re serious about training, you need to be at the gym tomorrow at three o’clock sharp.”
Ro nodded eagerly, his black curls bobbing. “I’ll be there, I promise,”
Noah made a show of looking at his watch, his brow furrowing. “You need to get some sleep. It’s really late, so you better head up to bed.”
Ro’s shoulders slumped a little, but he didn’t argue. He turned to me. “Goodnight,” he said. “Love you.” He planted a quick kiss on my cheek before running up to his bedroom.
I watched him go, my heart swelling with a mix of pride and apprehension. Once Ro was out of earshot, I turned to Noah, a small smile tugging at my lips. “You’re a natural with him, you know.”
Noah ducked his head, looking almost shy. “I just want to help however I can.”
I reached out and touched his arm. “I really appreciate you giving me the final word about Ro’s training. It means a lot to have your support.”
Noah’s gaze met mine, and a shiver ran down my spine at the intensity in his eyes. “I’ll always have your back. No matter what.”
His words hung in the air between us, heavy with unspoken meaning. I swallowed hard, suddenly aware of how close we were standing.
I wanted to trust him, to let myself fall into the comfort and safety of his arms. But the scars from my past still ached, holding me back from taking that final leap.
He pressed a chaste kiss to my lips, and I felt a pang of longing in my chest. I wanted him to stay, to wrap me in his embrace and chase away the shadows that still haunted me.
But I wasn’t ready. Not yet. I had to heal on my own terms, on my own time.
With a final smile, Noah headed for the door. He paused, resting his hand on the doorknob. He glanced back at me, eyes soft.
“You know, Zoey, I meant what I said. I have no interest in being on your bad side.”
I quirked an eyebrow, a hint of a smile tugging at my lips. “Oh, really?”
He chuckled, a low, warm sound that had heat pooling between my thighs. “Trust me, I’ve gone enough rounds in the ring to know when to pick and choose my fights. And fighting with you? That’s one battle I’m not willing to take on.”
A flush of warmth spread through my chest. It was a small thing, but his words meant more to me than he could possibly know. In that moment, I saw the man beneath the fighter, the gentle soul who understood my past and the importance of my autonomy.
Impulsively, I patted his cheek, my fingers lingering on the rough stubble of his jaw. “Good choice.”
His eyes widened slightly, and for a breathless moment, we stood there, caught in the gravity of each other’s gaze. I could feel the heat of his skin beneath my palm, the steady thrum of his pulse, and if I let myself, I could so easily get lost in the depths of those blue eyes.
Suddenly, Noah’s lips were on mine, hot and demanding. I melted into him, my body molding to his as he pulled me close. My hands found their way into his hair, tugging him closer.
When we finally broke apart, we were panting. Noah rested his forehead against mine, still gripping my hips.
“Mike and Lance will be on the night shift,” he said. “And Chief Warman has someone watching your place as well. You’re protected. I won’t let George get near you again. I promise.”
I didn’t trust myself to speak. The intensity in his gaze made my knees weak.
Noah brushed a gentle kiss across my lips before stepping back. “I should go. It’s late.”
“Okay,” I said.
He opened the door, then looked back at me over his shoulder. “Sweet dreams.”
And then he was gone, the door clicking shut softly behind him. I pressed my fingers to my lips, which were still tingling from his kiss.
Smiling, I headed up to bed. Tomorrow was a new day. A new beginning. And I couldn’t wait to see where it would lead.