Page 99 of Freeing My Alpha

No one takes a breath as Noah struggles not to crumble before the most important people in his pack.

“You’re not fine,” I say. “And that’s okay.”

Panic overwhelms Noah’s eyes, blocking him from accepting my words. In my heart, I know he desperately wants to. I could feel it the second I spoke.

I steady my voice. “If no one can accept you have actual emotions, they shouldn’t expect you to care the way you do. You have an incredible heart, Alpha. It’s sensitive in the most beautiful way because that’s how it protects us. And even if no one else here wants to protect it back, I still will. I will always protect you.”

It wasn’t what I intended, but Noah’s wall breaks at my words. My heart snaps as he buries his eyes into his palms, his shoulders shaking through the start of heavy, gut-shuddering tears.

“Oh, Noah—” I hold my breath as every wolf in the room rises at once, circling my mate.

Noah’s emotions ripple into fear, and I gasp.

Oh, God, what’s going to happen? Is someone going to take advantage of his vulnerability? Challenge him right here?

My heart sprints and my claws extend, ready to defend him.

But then, one by one, each wolf nuzzles against Noah. Rubbing their comfort along his sides, stomach, arms, and back, they soothe my mate.

I cover my lips, but my tears slip on their own. The whole room smells like love. Adoration. Gratitude.

Noah’s silent tears escalate into soft weeping.

I wiggle my way in, pressing myself against his overheated body until he frantically squeezes me to his chest. As he hides his face into my neck, I brush soft kisses onto his mark, each kiss laced with a nurturing scent I can’t contain. Everyone’s hands are on him, their scents rising with mine until the comforting smell softens every muscle I own.

“We love you, Alpha. Take it in, my love,” I whisper.

He shakes his head. “I need to protect you. All of you.”

“You already are. But you’re not a god, and we shouldn’t expect you to be. It’s okay to be protected and loved too. Really, it is.”

Noah squeezes me with his arms wrapped as tight as they can be, letting out a soft sob against my shoulder.

Elder Terrence smiles. “You two are really something special. This reminds me of the days Takahiro was here.”

Elder Aaron chuckles. “You’re right. He’d always melt Ritchie into a puddle when Ritch was convinced he was too invincible to have needs.”

My heart aches with Noah’s at this news, but I crave so much more.

“Really? My dad would do that?” I ask.

“Yes. And Ritchie would let him.” Elder Aaron chuckles. “Takahiro used to laugh at how much Ritchie secretly loved it when we all swarmed him with affection like this. We just didn’t think Noah felt comfortable enough to let us in just yet.”

I kiss Noah’s panic away, unable to resist slipping my tongue against his mark.

Noah shudders, finally revealing his swollen face to meet my eyes. “You’re right, I wasn’t comfortable enough yet. My mate has helped me beyond words.” His voice is raw and soft, but it stirs avalanches of love for him in my heart. “I can’t let anything happen to her.”

The pain in his voice breaks me.

But the hands surrounding us lift my heart back up, steadying Noah’s soul on its feet with it.

“We won’t. We have both of your backs,” Elder Frank says.

“And I think it's safe to say we're in agreement about surveillance,” Elder Terrence says.

With a collective hum of approval from the Elders, Noah lets out a tremendous sigh against my neck.

When we get home, Noah is too exhausted to eat. He stumbles to bed while I reheat leftovers, keeping the lights dim.

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