49. Zoey
ZOEY
I flipped a burger on the sizzling grill, the smoky aroma mingling with the warm summer breeze. My family chattered and laughed in Noah’s backyard.
Noah brushed past me, his hand grazing my waist as he grabbed a platter of hot dogs. I loved the casual intimacy of his touch.
“Looks like the party’s going well,” he said.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Yeah, it’s nice to have everyone together before my mom heads back to London.”
My gaze drifted across the yard to where my mother stood talking to Sam. Their bodies were angled toward each other, and they smiled tentatively at each other. A flicker of hope ignited in my chest. Maybe, just maybe, they could find their way back to each other.
But the scars ran deep. The wounds my mother inflicted when she abandoned Sam and Heather were still raw and aching. I couldn’t blame Sam for guarding his heart, for being wary of letting her back in.
Heather sidled up to me, her eyes sharp as she followed my gaze. “You think they’ve got a shot?” she asked quietly.
I shrugged, flipping another burger. “I don’t know. Mom hurt him pretty badly. It’s a lot to come back from.”
Heather grunted. “Yeah, well, she’s got a lot to make up for. To all of us.”
I reached out and squeezed her hand. We’d both weathered so much, fought so hard to build lives free from the shadows of our past. And now, here we were, surrounded by the warmth and love of our chosen family.
Noah slipped his arm around my waist, his solid presence anchoring me. I leaned against him, breathing in his comforting scent. For a moment, the world fell away, and it was just the two of us, our hearts beating in sync.
“Food’s ready,” Noah announced, breaking the spell.
As our family gathered around the table, plates piled high with burgers and sides, laughter and conversation flowing freely, I let myself sink into the simple joy of the moment. The wounds of the past were still healing, but for now, we had this. We had each other. And that was enough.
I excused myself from the table, heading inside to grab more meat from the fridge. As I made my way through the house, a sharp knock at the front door startled me.
Who could that be? Everyone was already here.
Curious, I opened the door just in time to see a mail truck pulling away from the curb. On the porch sat a package addressed to me. Huh . Had Noah ordered something for me as a surprise?
Smiling, I picked up the box and carried it inside. Setting it on the kitchen counter, I grabbed a knife and sliced through the tape.
The moment I opened the flaps, a cloud of dust exploded in my face, filling my nose and mouth. I stumbled back, coughing and sputtering, my lungs burning with each breath.
What the hell? My vision blurred, the room spinning around me as I gasped for air. Panic clawed at my throat, my chest tightening with each wheezing breath.
I had to get help. Noah. I needed Noah.
My legs felt like lead as I staggered toward the door. The world tilted and swayed, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision.
I pushed through the door, my knees buckling as I stumbled onto the patio. Noah’s name tore from my lips—a ragged, desperate plea—as I fought to stay conscious.
The last thing I saw before the darkness claimed me was Noah’s face, his blue eyes wide with fear as he ran toward me, his arms outstretched to catch me as I fell.
My eyelids fluttered open, the sterile white of a hospital room slowly coming into focus. A weight on my face. An oxygen mask. I reached up to remove it, needing to orient myself, but a hand caught mine.
“Don’t.” Noah’s voice, normally so warm, held an edge I’d never heard before. “You need to keep that on.”
I turned my head, his face swimming into view. The hard set of his jaw, the fury burning in his eyes. He looked murderous.
“What... happened?” I croaked, my throat raw and scratchy.
Noah’s hand tightened around mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. “The dust in that box was laced with toxic chemicals. Poison.”
My heart stuttered, fear coiling in my gut. Toxic chemicals? Someone had tried to... to what? Kill me?
“The doctors say you’re going to need oxygen treatment. For the next twenty-four hours at least.” His words were clipped, his control slipping.
I blinked back tears. Twenty-four hours. To make sure there was no permanent damage. To make sure I’d survive this.
My gaze darted around the room, taking in the worried faces of my family and friends. My mom, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy. Heather, clutching my mom’s hand like a lifeline.
But there was one face missing. One small, precious face that I needed to see more than anything.
“Where’s Ro?” I asked.
Noah’s expression softened just a fraction. “He’s with Sam. He was upset. Scared. Sam thought it’d be best to take him for a walk so he could calm down.”
I nodded, my heart aching for my little boy. God, he had to be so afraid and confused. I needed to hold him, to reassure him that I was okay. That I wasn’t going anywhere.
But first, I needed answers. I needed to know who had done this, and why. And from the look on Noah’s face, the barely contained rage simmering beneath the surface, I had a feeling he wouldn’t rest until we had them.
I turned my gaze to the others in the room, my throat tightening with emotion. “Thank you all for being here,” I said, my words slightly muffled by the mask. “It means so much to me. But I need a moment alone with Noah, if that’s okay.”
They nodded, murmuring words of support and love as they left the room. My mom was the last to leave, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead before she went.
As the door clicked shut behind her, I turned back to Noah, reaching out to take his hand in mine. His skin was warm, his grip firm yet gentle, and I drew strength from his touch.
I studied his face. “Are you okay?”
He let out a short, humorless laugh. “No. I’m not okay. I’m about as far from okay as I can get.” He ran a trembling hand through his hair. “I didn’t know what was wrong with you. I thought... I thought I was going to lose you. And it felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest.”
I squeezed his hand. “I’m here. I’m still here.”
He squeezed back, almost desperately, as if he needed the physical reassurance that I was real. That I wasn’t going anywhere. “I know. But it was too close. Way too close.” He shook his head, pain and guilt warring in his eyes. “I should have protected you better. I should have?—”
“Noah, stop. This isn’t your fault. You didn’t send that package. There’s no way you could have known what was in it.”
He sighed, his shoulders slumping. “I know that, logically. But it doesn’t change how I feel. It doesn’t change the fact that I let you down.”
I tugged on his hand, forcing him to meet my gaze. “You could never let me down. You’re here, with me, right now. That’s all that matters.”
He stared at me, his eyes searching mine. Slowly, he nodded. His expression darkened, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Leon called me. He’s close to finding out where George is hiding.”
My breath caught in my throat. “What are you going to do when you find him?”
“I’m going to kill him.” The words were simple, matter-of-fact. As if he were discussing the weather and not the premeditated murder of another person.
I swallowed hard, my heart racing. “Noah?—”
“No. I’m done playing by the rules. I’m done waiting for the authorities to handle this. George needs to pay for what he’s done. And I’m going to be the one to make him pay.”
Before I could respond, the door to my hospital room swung open. Chief Warman stood in the doorway, his face a carefully constructed mask.
“I’m done. I intend to finish this. My way.” Noah turned to me. “I’m sorry, Zoey, I hoped this could be done through the police and human courts, but it’s not working. I can’t allow him to play these games. He’s hurting you and undermining me. I have to make a stand before it weakens my position.”
“He can’t go after George like this,” I implored the chief, hoping Noah would listen to the voice of reason.
Chief Warman shook his head. “I’m sorry, Zoey. Noah is within his rights to finish this. I may not like the challenge, but I can’t intervene in shifter law.”
“Challenge?” I demanded, “What challenge?” My voice rose in intensity, almost turning into a shriek.
“I made the challenge. You were there in the car, remember?” Noah stood, pacing the small room. “I can’t allow him to play these games anymore. You’re in the fucking hospital, Zoey. He’s challenging my authority on my lands. I need to finish this—our way.”
Chief Warman was silent for a moment, considering Noah’s words. Finally, he nodded. “If you’re going to do this, you better do it right. No half-measures. You make sure that bastard never hurts anyone again.”
“I will.” Noah’s promise hung heavy in the air.
With a final nod, Chief Warman turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
Noah’s hand found mine, his fingers trembling slightly as they laced with my own. I squeezed, offering what little comfort I could.
“I won’t rest until you’re safe. I swear it.”
I wanted to kiss him, to pull him close and never let go. But my eyelids felt heavy, and I could feel sleep tugging at the edges of my consciousness.
As I drifted off, I heard Noah’s whispered words, a promise and a prayer all in one. “I love you. Always.”