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

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

have a mate?” Tylen steals a

doesn’t trust me,” Tylen replies

I blame her.” “You met your mate and didn’t tell me?”

not for me

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

I didn’t trust my mate in the beginning either,” Talia says

down my walls and gave me

don’t give up

be afraid

a

and lignore him once more, concentrating on

is now uncomfortable and I find myself drowning

no matter who forces their way

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

corner of my eye, I notice Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with a

my father has offered you his pack, Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to give him

like to know why an Alpha would give up his

so why would you?” Tylen does not answer right

on a battlefield from the time I could

and I have ever known is

Idream it,

It’s in my veins.

makes me

to keep me off the battlefield but my sense of duty always dragged me into

for my pack because that’s what they needed me

who That’s what I became...and that

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

a good

a monster in

it will not need another

is no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned

pack deserves a

I am.” “That’s

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

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

don’t know,” Zane

a few words via mindlink before Tylen has an answer.have not forgiven him for what he

war, his mate, his best friend,

secret for that reason, but he makes it very difficult to trust

I don’t know.

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

as she senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle to

I sign, quickly getting up to

of some peace and quiet, I take

race and I break into

into my run, I stumble into a clearing and find a large

and steps built into the trunk for easy

climb onto it, swinging my legs to and fro while inhaling the fresh air to soothe

leaving

been 20 years and I have still not forgiven

have savored his last

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

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

signs, taking two steps into the clearing while

my reaction he stops moving but

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

the only objection you have for accepting me as