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.

hello but I pretend I don’t see him and

begins, Zane signing the entire “So Tylen...tell us about yourself...” Talia

a glance at me and turns

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

met your mate and didn’t tell

not for me

her privacy.” Rionna doesn't reply, but

makes you feel any better, I didn’t trust my mate in the

let him in but he slowly tore down my

mate is, don’t give

might just be afraid of her own

patience and you'll find a way to show her you’re

and lignore him once

now uncomfortable and I find myself

never change, no matter who forces their way

up again and find a

translating as

Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to give

like to know why an Alpha would give up his

would you?” Tylen does not answer right away, taking

a battlefield from the time

I

it, Idream it,

It’s in my veins.

makes me a

to keep me off the battlefield but my sense of duty

had to be a warrior for my pack because that’s what they needed me to

soldier who That’s what I became...and that frightens

fear the day I fight because

not a

monster in

need aruthless soldier now, but it will not need another ruthless Alpha later

choose to abstain from my position when there is no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the

pack deserves a good

am.” “That’s

takes a true Alpha to realize his or her own limitations 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 and he looks away before anyone

my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when there are no

don’t know,” Zane

Rionna exchange glances and it appears they share a few words via mindlink

everything because of this war, his mate, his

feared losing everything again and kept Rionna’s past a secret for

I don’t know.

think of a reason for him to lie but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have something

Cynthia, becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s

quickly getting up

quiet, I take a walk outside with no destination

begin to race and I break into

and find a large tree house perched atop

deck and steps built into the trunk

I carefully climb onto it, swinging my legs to and fro while inhaling the fresh air to soothe my turbulent I have not felt butterflies in my belly since Damon stole a kiss from me

so angry at him for leaving

20 years and I have still not

him, I would have savored his last kiss and told him

mocking my pain, sending my son off to the same war that took my family and mating me to the son of the

I look up to find Tylen staring at me near the edge of the clearing, his eyes

signs, taking two steps into the clearing

reaction he stops moving but continues

found it the day you left me.” I want nothing more than to run and hide but I

family name the only objection you have for accepting me as your