50. Noah
NOAH
I clenched my fists as a low growl rumbled in my chest. My wolf was pacing restlessly beneath my skin, desperate to break free. I’d never felt anger like this before, a white-hot fury that threatened to consume me.
Zoey lay on the hospital bed, her face pale. Bridget and Heather sat by her side, their expressions grim. I needed to shift, to let my wolf run wild and burn off some of this rage before it exploded out of me.
“Lance, Mike,” I said gruffly. “Stay with her. Don’t leave her side for a second.”
They took up positions on either side of the door. I glanced at the two cops stationed in the hallway. Good. She’d be protected while I was gone.
I leaned down, brushing a gentle kiss across Zoey’s forehead. Then I turned on my heel and strode out, my boots thudding heavily against the linoleum.
The cool night air hit me as I exited the hospital and got into my car, but it did nothing to calm the raging inferno inside me. When I pulled up to my house, I had no memory of the drive. I’d done it on autopilot.
My father was waiting for me on the back porch, his arms crossed over his chest. “Son, I know you’re upset, but you need to keep a level head about this,” he said as I approached.
A bitter laugh escaped me. “A level head? That bastard put my mate in the hospital. He’s been tormenting her for years. And what have we done to stop him?”
I paced in front of him, clenching and unclenching my hands.
My father sighed. “The police are doing everything they can to find him. This isn’t on you.”
“The hell it isn’t!” I snarled, whirling to face him. “I’m supposed to protect her. I’m supposed to keep her safe. And I failed.”
“You didn’t fail. George did this, not you. Don’t let your anger push you into doing something reckless.”
But I was barely listening, my mind consumed with images of ripping George apart with my bare claws. There was only one way this would end.
George had to die.
I let the shift take over, falling to all fours as fur rippled over my skin. My wolf surged to the surface with a howl of fury and bloodlust.
I took off into the trees, paws flying over the earth. But no matter how far or fast I ran, I couldn’t outrun the simmering rage and guilt.
George had gone too far this time. He’d poisoned my mate. And for that, his blood would paint the ground before this was over. I would make damn sure of that.
I returned to the house a while later, my fur damp with sweat, my muscles quivering from exertion. As I shifted back, I saw Sam’s car parked out front. He was leaning against the porch railing, his arms crossed, his face etched with pain and worry.
“Sam,” I said tersely. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to talk to you. Shifter to shifter, father to alpha.”
I met his gaze, seeing the desperate plea in his eyes. “Go on.”
“Noah, I’m here to ask you... to beg you if I have to. Handle George. Do whatever it takes so I never have to see my little girl in a hospital bed again because of him. Please.”
His voice cracked on the last word. In that moment, I understood his anguish, his fury, his devastating feeling of helplessness. Because I felt it, too, a hundred times over.
I looked to my father. He nodded solemnly. An unspoken agreement passed between us. George James had to be dealt with. Permanently.
“I’ll take care of it,” I promised Sam, my words ringing with grim finality. “He’ll never touch Zoey again. I swear it on my life.”
Sam’s shoulders sagged in relief. He stepped forward, gripping my shoulder. “Thank you. I know I’m putting you in a difficult position, but?—”
“No,” I cut him off. “There’s nothing difficult about this decision. He crossed a line. And he won’t live long enough to regret it.”
My father stepped up beside me, his eyes hard as flint. “Just give the word, and I’ll gather the men. We’ll end this.”
I held his gaze, my resolve hardening. George had stalked and terrorized my mate, my pack, for far too long.
It was time to put the rabid dog down. And I would be the one to do it.
An hour later, I strode down the hospital corridor. The sterile scent of disinfectant mingled with the coppery tang of blood, making my stomach churn. Images of Zoey’s pale face flashed through my mind, fueling the rage simmering beneath my skin.
As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with Bridget. She stumbled back, eyes wide and haunted. “Noah, I... I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.”
I steadied her with a gentle hand on her arm. “It’s all right. Are you okay?”
She shook her head, a bitter laugh escaping her lips.
“No. No, I’m not. How can I be when my daughter is lying in a hospital bed because of that monster?
” Tears spilled down her cheeks. “This is all my fault. If I had been a better mother, if I had shown her what a healthy relationship looked like, maybe she wouldn’t have ended up with George. ”
My heart clenched at the anguish in her words. “Bridget, listen to me. This is not your fault. The only person to blame here is George.”
She met my gaze, her green eyes swimming with guilt and self-recrimination. “But I should have protected her. I should have been there for her. Instead, I let my own pain and trauma push her away.”
I squeezed her arm, trying to convey the sincerity of my words. “You did the best you could. And Zoey knows that. She loves you, and she needs you now more than ever.”
Bridget wiped at her tears as she pulled herself together. “I just want her to be safe. I can’t bear the thought of losing her.”
“You won’t,” I promised. “I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure George never comes near her again.”
She searched my face, a flicker of hope igniting on her face. “You really mean that, don’t you?”
“I do. Zoey is...” I swallowed hard, the words catching in my throat. “She’s everything to me. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Bridget’s shoulders sagged in relief, and she flashed me a watery smile. “Thank you. I know I haven’t been the easiest person to get along with, but I’m grateful for your support.”
I returned her smile as this newfound understanding passed between us. “We’re family now. And family sticks together, no matter what.”
She squared her shoulders. “I’m going to stay in Boldercrest. Zoey needs me, and I’m not going to let her down again.”
That was the best news I’d heard all day. “Good. She’ll be happy to have you close.” I glanced toward Zoey’s room, yearning to be by her side. “I should get back to her. Will you be all right?”
Bridget took a deep breath. “I will. Go be with her. She needs you, too.”
With a final nod, I turned and made my way to Zoey’s room, my resolve hardening with each step. George’s days were numbered.
After Mike confirmed that all had been quiet, I stepped into Zoey’s dimly lit hospital room, my heart clenching at the sight before me.
Ro was curled up next to her on the bed.
Zoey’s arms were wrapped protectively around him, even in sleep.
I was sure the nurses had probably objected, but knowing Zoey, she had fought them on it.
I moved to the bedside, carefully running my hand over Zoey’s dark hair, then gently stroking Ro’s mop of curls. The boy stirred, his eyes blinking open, but he didn’t move away from his mother’s embrace.
“Hey, buddy,” I whispered, pulling up a chair to sit beside them. “How are you holding up?”
Ro’s bottom lip trembled, his small hands fisting in the fabric of Zoey’s hospital gown. “I’m angry. My wolf is angry, too.”
I understood the primal rage that came with the need to protect one’s family. “It’s okay to be angry. A lot has happened.”
He looked up at me, his hazel eyes—so much like Zoey’s—filled with a pain no child should know. “I don’t want him to be my dad anymore. I don’t want him to hurt Mom again.”
I patted his shoulder. “I know, Ro. I know.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat, my chest aching with his trust, his faith in me to make things right.
I watched Zoey sleep. My wolf growled, demanding retribution, but I held him back. Right now, Zoey and Ro needed my strength and comfort, not my rage.
I settled into the chair, preparing to watch over them through the night. “Get some rest,” I told him. “I’ll be right here. I won’t let anything happen to you or your mom. I promise.”
Ro’s eyelids were already drooping as he snuggled closer to Zoey. “Thanks, Noah. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too, Ro. Me too.”
My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the screen, seeing Leon’s name flash across it. I stepped out into the hallway, keeping my voice low as I answered. “What you got for me, Leon?”
“I found him. He’s in Craigsville. But he’s not alone, Noah. He’s got at least six guys with him, all armed to the teeth. It’s not safe for you to go in alone.”
I ran a hand through my hair and grinded my teeth together. “Where is he?”
Leon rattled off an address, and I committed it to memory. “Thanks, Leon. I owe you one.”
I ended the call and stepped back into the room. Ro and Zoey were still asleep. Leaning down, I brushed my lips over Ro’s forehead.
“I’ve got to go take care of some business, buddy. You watch over your mom for me, okay? I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Ro stirred and rubbed his face. “Are you going to kill my dad?”
The question hit me like a punch to the gut. I hesitated, unsure how to answer.
Ro sat up, staring at me with a wisdom that was far beyond his years. “It’s okay if you do. I like you better as a dad, anyway.” He paused. “If you don’t, I will.”
I swallowed hard, emotion clogging my throat, and then I hugged him close to my chest. “I like the sound of being your dad, buddy. I promise I’m going to do everything I can to keep you and your mom safe. Hopefully, that doesn’t mean doing anything too permanent.”
The words tasted like lies.
I gave Ro one last squeeze, then stepped out into the hallway, pulling out my phone.
“Dad, it’s me. It’s time to gather the men. I need our best fighters, our best shooters. George’s holed up with at least six armed men. I can’t take them on alone.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“No.” I started walking toward the elevator. We had to move quickly. “Mom would never forgive me if something happened to both of us. I need you to stay behind and coordinate things from here.”
There was a long pause, and for a moment, I was sure he’d argue with me. But then he sighed. “All right. I’ll make the calls and have the men meet you at the house. But you be careful, understand? I love you, son. I’m proud of you.”
I closed my eyes, letting his words wash over me. “I love you, too. I’ll see you soon.”