44. Noah
NOAH
Z oey’s leg bounced up and down, and she kept wringing her hands in her lap, glancing out the window, then at me as we drove to the airport.
“Mom, what’s Grandma like? Is she nice? Does she like dogs?” Ro asked from his booster seat, his little face scrunched up in curiosity.
“She’s very nice, sweetie. And she loves animals,” Zoey replied, turning to give him a tight smile. “You’ve talked to her on the phone before, remember?”
“Yeah, but that was a long time ago. Before Dad got mad when we tried to call her,” Ro said matter-of-factly.
Zoey flinched slightly, and I took her trembling hand in mine, interlacing our fingers.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” I gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “I know this is a big step, facing your mom again after everything with Sam and George. But you’re doing the right thing. I’m really proud of you, Zo.”
She glanced over at me, her lips quivering as she mustered a grateful smile. “I haven’t seen her since before Ro was born. I don’t know if I can explain it all to her.”
“You don’t have to tell her everything at once. Just take it slow and focus on reconnecting. I bet she’s going to be thrilled to finally meet Ro in person.”
“What if she’s ashamed of me for staying with George for so long even though he was hurting me?” Zoey’s words were barely above a whisper, thick with fear and doubt.
My heart ached at the pain etched on her face. I knew the scars from her father’s abuse and George’s cruelty ran deep.
“She won’t be ashamed. If anything, she’ll be in awe of how strong you’ve been, how brave you are for getting yourself and Ro out of there. Just like I am in awe of you every single day.”
Zoey leaned into my touch and let out a shaky breath. “I don’t feel very brave,” she admitted, her usually bright eyes clouded with ghosts from her past.
“You are,” I insisted. “You’re a survivor, Zo. And today is the start of claiming your life back. I’ll be right there with you, every step.”
As we pulled up to the airport terminal, I sent up a silent prayer, hoping this visit would help Zoey face her demons and heal. She deserved that chance.
I gave Zoey’s hand a reassuring squeeze as we parked. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze distant, before she turned to me with a small smile.
“You know, Noah,” she said, “maybe you should consider reaching out to your dad, too. Have that talk, like we discussed the other day.”
Her words caught me off-guard. “My dad? I don’t know, Zo. It’s... complicated.”
Zoey nodded, her expression understanding yet firm. “I know. But I think there’s more to him than you believe. It could be good for you both to clear the air.”
My insides twisted into a knot. The thought of confronting my father, of dredging up the past, filled me with dread. Sure, things had been easier lately, but…
“He’s always resented me,” I said. “For not being the alpha he wanted me to be, for not living up to his expectations.”
“But what if that’s not the whole story? What if there’s more beneath the surface?”
Her words echoed in my mind as we made our way through the bustling airport. Could she be right? Could I have misjudged my father all these years? The possibility sent a flicker of hope through me, followed by a wave of uncertainty.
As we waited for Bridget to arrive, I found myself lost in thought, grappling with the idea of mending the rift between my father and me. It seemed an insurmountable task, yet Zoey’s gentle encouragement had planted a seed of doubt, a glimmer of possibility.
I easily spotted Bridget from across the airport lobby. She was the spitting image of Zoey, except her long, jet-black hair was streaked with gray. As they locked eyes, a palpable tension filled the air, years of unspoken emotions hanging between them.
Bridget took a tentative step forward, then another, until she stood before Zoey. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, a myriad of emotions playing across their faces—uncertainty, longing, and fragile hope.
Then, Bridget reached out and pulled Zoey into a tight embrace.
As she held her daughter close, she said, “You look so much better than the last time that twit George allowed us to FaceTime. You’ve gained weight.
You look happy.” Zoey’s eyes shimmered with tears as Bridget cupped her cheek.
“You’re beautiful,” Bridget said. “Absolutely beautiful.”
I watched the exchange, my heart swelling with a mix of emotions.
Pride, that Zoey had the courage to face her past. Relief, that she had the support of her mother, despite their complicated history.
And a twinge of envy, for the chance to reconnect with a parent to heal old wounds and forge a new path forward.
Bridget’s attention shifted to Roland, who stood beside me, gripping my hand. Her face softened as she crouched in front of him.
“Roland, my dear grandson.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a neatly wrapped gift. “It’s so wonderful to finally meet you in person. Look at you, such a handsome young man.”
Roland’s face lit up as he accepted the present, his nerves melting away as Bridget smiled warmly at him. “Thank you, Grandma,” he said.
As Bridget stood and looked at me. The warmth in her eyes evaporated, replaced by a cool, appraising stare. “Noah, thank you for flying me out here.”
What was with the disdain?
“Of course, Bridget,” I said. “It’s the least I could do.”
She regarded me for a long moment, her arms crossed over her chest. I couldn’t quite read her, couldn’t tell if her contempt was directed at me specifically or at men in general. Given what I knew of her history with Zoey’s father, I couldn’t blame her for being wary.
I cleared my throat, desperate to break the tension. “Shall we head to the car? I’m sure you’re tired after your flight.”
Bridget nodded curtly, her attention already back on Zoey and Roland. As we walked out of the airport, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Bridget had judged me in that short exchange and found me lacking.
But I was determined to prove her wrong and show her that I was different. I would show her that I would never hurt Zoey or Roland the way their father had. I just hoped that in time, she would come to see me for who I truly was, not just another man in a long line of disappointments.
I offered Bridget a room at my place, wanting her to feel welcome and comfortable during her stay.
“I’ve already made arrangements at the local bed and breakfast,” she said. “One of your pack members runs it, right? They seemed quite happy to accommodate the mother of the alpha’s mate .”
I flinched at her words. She’d said “alpha’s mate” like it was a dirty phrase. Zoey shot me a worried look.
“Bridget,” I said. “I know you’re not a fan of pack life, but?—”
She held up a hand, cutting me off. “I’m not bashing your way of life. I understand how it works. But my daughter is her own woman, with her own name and identity. It doesn’t have to be connected to a man’s in order for it to be important.”
I swallowed hard, feeling her words and the unspoken accusation behind them. “I know that, Bridget. I would never try to take that away from her.”
She studied me, her green eyes piercing the depths of my being. “Just keep that in mind, okay? Zoey’s been through enough.” She shot her daughter a look. “She doesn’t need another man trying to define her.”
Zoey groaned. “Mom, it’s really not a big deal. I don’t feel like Noah is defining my existence, but thank you for supporting me.”
Bridget made a scoffing noise in response.
I nodded, my heart clenching at the thought of all the pain Zoey had endured.
I wanted to tell Bridget that I was different, that I would never hurt Zoey the way her father had.
But actions spoke louder than words, and I would have to prove myself through my deeds, not my promises.
As we drove to the B&B, it felt like Bridget was watching my every move, waiting for me to slip up. I had to be on my best behavior so I could show her I was worthy of her daughter’s love and trust.
But I also knew that earning Bridget’s approval would be an uphill battle, one that might take time and patience. All I could do was hope that in the end, she would see how much I truly cared for Zoey and Roland, and how far I was willing to go to protect and support them.
When we got to the B&B, Bridget paused at the front door, her hand on the knob. She turned to Zoey. “I’ll always support you, honey. No matter what. I just want to make sure you’re being treated with the respect you deserve.”
Zoey’s shoulders slumped slightly. “I know. And I appreciate it, I really do. But Noah’s not like Dad. He’s different.”
I hauled Bridget’s suitcases up to her room, and once she was settled, Zoey, Ro, and I walked back to the car in silence. I could sense the tension radiating off Zoey, and I longed to take her hand and offer some small measure of comfort. But I held back, not wanting to overstep.
As we climbed into the car, Zoey let out a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry about my mom,” she said. “She hasn’t dated anyone since Sam, and I think it’s because she hates men now.”
My heart ached for Zoey and her mother. They’d endured so much pain. “You don’t have to apologize. I understand where she’s coming from. And I’m not going to push her to like me or trust me. I know that’s something I’ll have to earn over time.”
“Thank you for being so understanding. I know this can’t be easy for you, having to deal with all of my baggage.”
I rubbed her thigh. “You’re not baggage. You’re a survivor. And I’m honored to be a part of your life, in whatever way you’ll have me.”
Zoey’s lips curved into a small smile, and she squeezed my hand back. “I’m glad you’re here. I don’t think I could do this without you.”
A glimmer of hope bloomed in my chest as I drove over to Heather’s house. It wouldn’t be easy navigating the minefield of Zoey’s past and her mother’s mistrust. But I was determined to support her in whatever way she needed.
I glanced at Ro in the rearview mirror. “Hey, buddy, I have some pack business to take care of. Do you want to come with me while your mom and grandma spend some time together?”
Ro’s face lit up. “Really? I can come with you?”
I grinned. “Absolutely. It’ll be fun.”
Zoey looked over at me, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. “Are you sure, Noah? I don’t want him to be a bother.”
I shook my head. “He could never be a bother. Besides, it’ll give you and your mom some time to catch up without any distractions.”
“Thank you.”
I parked in front of Heather’s house, then cupped Zoey’s cheek, brushing my thumb over the freckles dotting her skin. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for a moment. “I know. I… I trust you.”
I leaned in and pressed a long, lingering kiss to her lips, pouring all my love and support into it. When I pulled back, Zoey’s eyes glimmered with unshed tears.
Just then, the front door opened, and Heather stepped out, her posture tense and her face tight with worry.
She looked just as nervous as Zoey had been earlier.
I got out of the car and went to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.
I sent a gentle push of my alpha influence toward her, willing her to relax and feel at ease.
Heather’s shoulders sagged, the tension draining from her body. “Thank you. I needed that.”
“Anytime, Heather.”
Pride and protectiveness surged through me. This was my family now, and I would do whatever it took to keep them safe and happy.
“Bye, Mom. Bye, Aunt Heather.” Ro waved as he skipped to the car ahead of me.
“Have fun, you two,” Zoey said.
I grinned as I opened the door for Ro, watching him clamber in with a wide smile on his face. “Ready to go, buddy?”
“Yeah, Let’s go meet the pack.” He bounced in his booster seat, his green eyes sparkling with anticipation.
I chuckled, shutting the door and making my way around to the driver’s side. As I climbed in and started the engine, I said. “You’re gonna love them. They’re a great bunch.”
He nodded, his black hair flopping into his eyes. “I can’t wait to meet them. Mom’s told me a little bit about pack life, but I want to see it for myself.”
As we drove through town, I pointed out a few landmarks to Ro and told him stories about growing up here. When I parked in front of the alpha house where the pack was gathered, I said, “Remember, buddy, these people are like family. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but they mean well.”
Ro grinned and unbuckled his seatbelt. “I got this. I’m ready.”
We walked inside together and were immediately greeted by a chorus of hellos and welcomes. I introduced Ro to everyone, and he shook hands and smiled like a miniature adult, his natural charm shining through.
“Noah, this kid’s a natural.” One of the pack members, a burly man named Jack, clapped me on the back. “He’s gonna make a great alpha someday.”
I nodded, my chest swelling with pride as Ro interacted with the pack. He asked questions, listened intently, and even cracked a few jokes, sending everyone into fits of laughter. As the day went on, I marveled at Ro’s ability to connect with people. He was a charmer.
When we left, Ro was practically vibrating with excitement. “That was so cool, Noah, I can’t wait to come back and hang out with everyone again.”
I grinned down at him. “You did great today. I’m proud of you.”