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.

signs hello but I pretend I don’t see him and pour myself a glass of

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

have a mate?” Tylen steals a

she doesn’t trust me,” Tylen replies

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

could you?” “It’s not for

respecting her privacy.” Rionna doesn't reply, but I can tell

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

tore down my walls and gave me his heart,” she adds

mate is, don’t give

just be afraid of

find a way to show her

necklace on my neck and lignore him once more, concentrating on cutting

refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself drowning

who forces

the painful road of my past, I look up again and find a new conversation taking place, Zane still translating for my

corner of my eye, I notice Tylen translating as well, the

pack, Zane,” Tylen

to know why an Alpha would give up his

honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does not answer right away, taking his time to

battlefield from the

wolf and I have ever known is

live it, Idream it, I breathe

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me a weapon of

the battlefield but my sense of duty always dragged me

my pack because

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

fight because I have to...but I fear the day I fight because

not a good

a monster

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

abstain from my position when there is no heir left

deserves a good

I am.”

own limitations and I admire your courage to step away and create your own destiny.” Tylen’s eyes meet mine one

be accepting my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks

don’t know,”

exchange glances and it appears they share a few words via mindlink before Tylen has an answer.have not forgiven him for what he did to Rionna and I...lam trying

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

secret for that reason, but he makes it

I don’t know.

put it past him to hide his true motive and have something up his

wolf, Cynthia, becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s turmoil and

me,” I sign, quickly getting up to

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

and I break into a sprint as I try to outrun

stumble into a clearing and find

wrap around deck and steps built into

my legs to and fro while inhaling the fresh air to soothe my turbulent I have not felt butterflies in my belly since Damon

leaving that I refused

years and I

only known it would be last time I’d see him, I would have

off to the same war that took my family and mating me to the son of the man

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

taking two steps into the clearing

reaction he stops moving but

more than to run and hide

objection you have for accepting