Page 52 of My Shy Alpha

Noah nods, his breath slowing. I hold out a hand for him, hoping he’ll join me now.

He doesn’t take it. “I still don’t want to hurt you more.”

“I know. I don’t want to hurt you either. But what if I do someday, even by mistake?”

“I-I’d... Hope we can work it out.”

Giving Noah a soft smile, I nod. “If it were the other way around, I’d hope so too.”

Noah touches his mark absent-mindedly, and relief flows through our bond. But it’s not enough for him to return to my side.

I soften my voice, unable to stop my heart from burning for him. “Is there something you need? I want to support you.”

“I-I don’t know. You’re already so nice to me, and I’m being ridiculous.”

“You’re not. I get it. I really do.” We lock eyes. I grip the couch even tighter, knowing what I have to say. “To be honest, I’m a fearful person. I don’t want to be, but most people and things scare me. Which is why I’m pretty amazed by our bond already. I don’t know how, but I’m not afraid of you, Noah.”

My breath is rapid, but Noah’s tension takes a rapid nosedive, leveling into a gentle hum.

“I think we’re more similar than I realized,” I say. “Believe me, I get what you’re saying.”

After Noah’s glossy irises flit over my face, his wound eyebrows loosen. “I believe you.”

He leans forward to approach me, but he stops himself.

My heart sinks. I don’t think he’s only afraid of hurting others. I think he’s just like me; it’s terrifying to know you could hurt anyone after you’ve been severely hurt.

I swallow hard, trying to sink into my instincts. What should we do, wolf?

An idea pops into my awareness, and I give Noah a soft, sad smile. His eyebrows raise in confusion.

“Noah, I have a bit of a personal question.”

“Okay...”

“I know you’re an influential, tough Alpha, and that probably makes it hard to be the one comforted.” I take a deep breath, worried my next suggestion might pressure him. But with how eager my wolf becomes to soothe her Alpha, I know I have to try. “Has anyone ever held or comforted you before while you’re hurting?”

He drops his head, rubbing his forehead.

Oh, shit. He’s trying not to cry.

Noah simply shakes his head, “no.” As in no, he’s never been held. It guts me.

But with those big hands shaking in front of me, I melt for them. “Come here, my shy Alpha.”

He doesn’t show me his face beneath a curtain of his hair, but he takes my hand, sinking into the cushions beside me. Noah automatically tucks me into his chest, but I pull back, gripping his shoulders to pull him to me instead.

For the first time, he doesn’t seem to know how to fit against me.

“It’s okay. No one else is here.” I scoot back on the sectional couch’s long end - wide enough to double as a bed. Then I pat the open space between my legs. “Come lay right here with me.”

He obliges, scooting closer until his legs dangle off the edge. I bite back a smile; Noah makes his huge sectional look like a toddler bed.

We have a silent battle; I have to urge him to stop tensing to keep himself from crushing me, helping him adjust his position until his head finally rests on my chest. His breath is rapid but quiet, uncertainty flooding our bond. I lace my fingers into the back of his shaved hair, hooking my arm across his wide back to squeeze him against me.

Kissing the top of his head, I stroke the long, tousled strands beneath my lips. My wolf is so happy that she spins, nipping at her tail.

Noah’s abdomen tightens against my thigh, but he doesn’t try to escape. He’s letting himself be held.

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