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

us about

you have a mate?” Tylen steals a

her...but she doesn’t trust me,”

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

“It’s not for me to

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 she pours juice for

he slowly tore down my walls and gave me his heart,”

is, don’t

might just be afraid of her

and you'll find a way to

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

my refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself

never change, no matter who

down 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 kind gesture filling

my father has offered you his pack, Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia sitting up

you have questions.” “Yes, I'd like to know why an Alpha would

or wolf, to be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does not answer right away, taking

the time I could

and I have ever known

it, Idream it, I breathe

It’s in my veins.

my gift makes me

battlefield but my sense of duty always dragged me

for my pack because that’s what they needed me

what I became...and

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

not a

monster

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

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

deserves a good

am.” “That’s

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

be accepting my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when there are

don’t know,” Zane

words via mindlink before Tylen

because of this war, his mate, his

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

I don’t know.

to lie but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have

becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s turmoil

I sign, quickly getting

of some peace and quiet, I take a walk

thoughts begin to race and I break into a sprint as I try to outrun

my run, I stumble into a clearing and find a large tree house perched atop a

steps built

inhaling the fresh air to soothe my turbulent I have not felt butterflies in my

leaving that I

and I

see him, I would have savored his last kiss and told him how much I loved being

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

He signs, taking two steps into the clearing while I take two steps back and

stops

you left me.” I want nothing more than to run and hide but I remain still and frozen

objection you have for accepting me as your mate?” he