The Silent Alpha

63. The Treehouse

***Agnest**

I smell his scent nearby, my wolf impatiently wagging her tail for him to come inside the house and speak to us.

But after finding out who he is to me, I do not wish to see him anytime soon.

There’s a tap on my shoulder and I turn to find Zane watching me closely, his hair still wet from his shower.

“What’s on your mind?” he signs.

I try to brush him off but he insists.

“You’ve been stirring the steak sauce with the stove off for 10 minutes now,” he argues with a soft smile.

“What’s wrong?” “How is Talia handling her wolf and mark? Don’t think I didn’t see it,” I tease him, changing the subject.

Zane blushes and timidly hides his red face from me, likely mumbling something under his breath.

He turns back to me when he calms his blush down.

“Whatever it is that’s bothering you, you can tell me,” Zane signs.

“I still have time for you.” selfish with his love.

His mate and his pup should be his priority.

“Take care of your family and I will be okay,” I smile, Zane’s eyes growing sad.

“But you are my family,” He retorts.

“I can take care of you too.” His words overwhelm my heart but I know he will not let this go until he is sure I am okay.

“Pll tell you when I am ready.

I’m just not ready right now.” My reply seems to upset him but as always, he respects my wishes and drops the matter entirely, instead taking the saucepan from my hands and helping me set the table.

I feel the floors vibrate beneath my feet as Dakota stomps down the hall.

He’s started to stomp more around me to make his presence known or catch my attention and it makes me so happy he cares enough to do that.

As I reach for the dinner plates, I feel Dakota pull at my pant leg.

When I look down at him, he signs the word ‘help’ and holds out his little hands for me to give him the plates.

They are much too heavy for him so I give him his own plastic plate and cup to carry to the table and he happily trots along No one seems to have the heart to tell him that’s Zane’s place and so the little boy claims the seat.

Talia and Rionna help me bring the food to the table and as we all settle at our seats, Tylen appears down the hall.

I freeze upon seeing him, unsure if I should run and hide or pretend my heart isn’t racing now that he’s so close.

He’s much more handsome than I last remember, his brown eyes containing speckles of amber and emerald when the light hits them.

His dark hair, which is longer at the top and shorter on the sides, is messily combed upwards witha few stubborn strands hanging over his forehead.

His clean shaven jaw is sharp and a pair of thick brows frame his large eyes that look directly at me.

He wears a black t-shirt, his arm tattoos on full display.

“I invited Tylen for dinner,” Rionna explains.

“I hope that’s alright.

He just needs his space from his father right now.” I force a smile on my face and silently nod as Tylen slides into the seat directly across from me.

pretend I don’t see

the entire “So Tylen...tell us about yourself...” Talia asks,

you have a mate?” Tylen steals a glance at me and turns back

her...but she doesn’t trust me,” Tylen replies both audibly and in

I blame her.” “You met your mate and didn’t tell me?” Rionna glares at Tylen, hurt flickering in

for me to

am respecting her privacy.” Rionna doesn't reply, but I can tell this conversation will

you feel any better, I didn’t trust my mate in the beginning either,” Talia says as

my walls and gave me his heart,” she adds with a

is, don’t give up

be afraid of her

find a way to

eyes the necklace on my neck and lignore him once more, concentrating

has always been my refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself

never change, no matter who forces their way into my

my past, I look up again and find a new conversation

Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with a

Tylen signs, Talia

“Yes, I'd like to know why

met an Alpha, or wolf, to be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does not

been on a battlefield from the time I could

I have

it, Idream it, I breathe

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me a weapon of

off the battlefield but my sense of duty always

warrior for my pack because that’s what

That’s what I became...and

to...but I fear the day I fight

a good

monster in

aruthless soldier now, but it will not need another ruthless

heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve

pack deserves a

am.” “That’s

and I admire your courage to step away and create your own destiny.” Tylen’s eyes meet mine one more time, loneliness and fear darkening them

accepting my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when there are no more questions for

don’t know,”

can trust him?” Tylen and Rionna exchange glances and it appears they share a few words via mindlink before Tylen has an answer.have not forgiven him

lost everything because of this war, his mate, his best

he feared losing everything again and kept Rionna’s past a secret for that reason, but

I don’t know.

him to hide his true motive and have something up his sleeve.” He settles back in his seat with a shrug,

she senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle to restrain

sign, quickly getting up to

peace and quiet, I take a walk outside with no destination

thoughts begin to race and I break into

and find a large tree house perched atop a

a wrap around deck and steps built into the trunk for

fresh air to soothe my turbulent I have not felt butterflies

was so angry at him for leaving that I refused to kiss

and I have still not forgiven

it would be last time I’d see him, I would have savored his

war that took my family and mating me to the son of the man who started

midst of my inner turmoil, the sudden scent of sage and magnolia fills the air and I look up to find Tylen staring at me near the edge of the clearing, his eyes following me when I jump off the swing onto

taking two steps into the clearing while I take two steps back

reaction he stops moving

want nothing more than to run and hide but

the only objection you have for accepting me as your