36. Noah #2
She ducked her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “I feel good. Better than I have in a long time.”
I hugged her, breathing in the scent of her shampoo, feeling the warmth of her skin. My wolf rumbled happily. We were content for the first time in years.
It was the therapy, the work she was doing to heal from the trauma of her past. Seeing the progress she’d made, the light in her eyes, I wondered if therapy was something I should consider for myself.
But for now, all that mattered was the woman in my arms, the love I felt for her growing stronger every day. I would do whatever it took to keep her safe, to make sure she never had to live in fear again.
“Come on.” I took her hand in mine. “Let’s go inside. I’ve got someone I want you to meet.”
Zoey smiled at me as we walked into the gym, her hand warm in mine. Ro trailed behind us, his face sullen.
I led them over to the ring where I’d been working with my new fighter. “Zo, this is Jake. Jake, meet Zoey and her son Roland.”
Jake waved one gloved hand in greeting. I could see the questions in his eyes, but he kept them to himself.
“Nice to meet you,” Zoey said politely.
Ro grunted, his attention already on the punching bags and training equipment scattered around the gym.
I squeezed Zoey’s hand before letting go. “Why don’t you have a seat? It’s time for Ro’s session.”
Zoey settled onto a nearby bench as I turned my attention to her son.
“All right,” I said to Ro. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”
I helped him strap on a pair of gloves and led him over to the heavy bag. “Show me your stance.”
Ro shuffled his feet, his hands coming up in a poor imitation of a fighter’s stance. I adjusted his posture, widening his base and bringing his hands up to protect his face.
“Like this.” I demonstrated. “Keep your guard up, elbows in. Now, give me ten jabs on the bag.”
Ro huffed but did as I instructed. His form was sloppy, his punches lacking power and precision.
“Again,” I said when he finished. “This time, focus on your technique. Snap your wrist as you make contact, drive the punch from your shoulder.”
We continued like that for several minutes, me calling out combinations and Ro doing his best to follow along. But I could see the frustration building in the tension in his frame.
“This is boring,” he whined, dropping his hands. “I want to fight, not just hit a stupid bag.”
I bit back a sigh. “You need to work on the basics first. These drilling techniques build muscle memory so you can?—”
“But it’s not fair.” His lower lip jutted out in a pout. “I saw that other boy fighting. Why can’t I? Is it because you don’t like me?”
Zoey started to stand, her brow furrowed in concern at Ro’s outburst. Now I could see what she meant by his employing similar manipulation techniques he’d witnessed from his father. I gave a subtle shake of my head in her direction before focusing on Roland again.
“Ro,” I said firmly, leaking a bit of my alpha authority into my words. “This kind of attitude won’t work on me. I won’t be manipulated. When I’m training you, I give orders for a reason. If you can’t follow through, then maybe boxing isn’t for you.”
Ro’s eyes widened in feigned innocence, but I held up a hand to stop him before he could protest.
“Lose the attitude. I’ve explained why you need to drill techniques. When I see you putting in the effort, then I’ll let you spar. But not before, and certainly not when you try to manipulate me. Understand?”
I could feel Ro trying to resist the weight of my alpha presence, and he clenched his fist at his sides and ground his teeth. But eventually, he had to submit. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, eyes downcast.
“I accept your apology. But don’t pull this crap again, got it?”
Ro nodded again, far meeker this time. He was just a kid, testing boundaries, trying to find his place. But I knew if I allowed him to try to manipulate situations now, it would only get worse as he got older. Better to be calm but firm while he was still young.
“Good,” I said. “Now, go get changed, and we’ll call it a day.”
As Ro trudged off toward the locker room, I went to Zoey. She was worrying her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes on Ro’s retreating back.
“Noah, I’m so sorry about—” she began, but I held up a finger to stop her.
“What was that affirmation you learned?”
Zoey inhaled slowly, then let the breath out in a measured exhale. “I am worthy of love and compassion. I am not responsible for everything that happens.”
I nodded. “That’s right. You’re not responsible when Ro tries to push boundaries. He’s a kid and trying to find his place. You set the boundaries and keep him in check, but don’t apologize for his behavior.”
Zoey let out a long, slow breath. “You’re right. I know you’re just trying to help him.”
“I am,” I agreed. “Speaking of which, do you think Heather or Sam could pick Ro up? I’d like to take you to dinner, if you’re free.”
A small smile tugged at the corners of Zoey’s mouth as she pulled out her phone. “Let me check.” She tapped out a quick message, and her phone pinged instantly in reply. “Sam says he’s just down the road with a friend. He can swing by and get Ro.”
“Perfect,” I said. “It’s a date.”
Zoey grinned at me, and warmth bloomed in my chest. Things with Ro might be challenging at times, but seeing Zoey slowly coming out of her shell and learning to trust again made it all worth it.
I kissed Zoey, right there in the middle of the gym. I didn’t care who saw us. I wanted everyone to know that this incredible woman was mine.
Zoey melted into the kiss, her hands coming up to rest against my chest. For a moment, the rest of the world faded away, and it was just the two of us.
“Ew, yuck! Kissing is disgusting!”
We pulled apart, laughing. Ro stood beside us, his face scrunched up in an exaggerated grimace.
I held out my fist to him. “You’ll change your mind about that someday, buddy.”
Ro bumped his fist against mine, still making a face. “No way. Girls have cooties.”
Zoey rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. “All right. Time to go. Sam’s going to pick you up.”
“Sam? I’m not staying with you, Mom?” Ro asked.
Zoey’s lips twitched. “I thought girls had cooties?”
I laughed, seeing him roll his eyes in a gesture so like his mom’s.
“Sam said something about a transponder,” Zoey said.
“Okay, okay.” Ro grabbed his bag.
Pride swelled up inside me as I watched him go. Ro had a lot of potential. With the right guidance, he could go far.
I turned back to Zoey. “Now, where were we?”
She laughed but didn’t resist as I kissed her again, even when Ro groaned. I knew we had a long road ahead of us, with George still out there somewhere and Zoey’s healing process just beginning. But in that moment, with her in my arms, I felt like we could take on anything.