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

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

steals a glance at me

me,” Tylen replies both audibly and

didn’t

for

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

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

slowly tore down my walls and

don’t

just be afraid of

and you'll find a way

and lignore him once more, concentrating

my refuge is now uncomfortable and

matter who

past, I look up again and find a

translating as well, the kind gesture filling me

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

know why an Alpha would give up his pack?” Talia

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

on a battlefield from the time I could shift,” Tylen

my wolf and I have ever

Idream it, I breathe

It’s in my veins.

makes me a

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

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

That’s what I

have to...but I fear the day

a

a monster in the

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

may think it 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 to walk away after all my years

pack deserves

that is not who I am.” “That’s very mature of you,” Talia

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

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

know,” Zane

share a few words via mindlink before Tylen has an answer.have not forgiven him

lost everything because of this war,

a secret for that reason,

I don’t know.

reason for him to lie but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have something up his sleeve.” He settles

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

quickly getting up to

and quiet, I take a

to race and I break into

clearing and find a

deck and steps built into the trunk for easy access to the

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

was so angry at him for leaving that I refused

been 20 years and I have still not

only known it would be last time I’d see him, I would have savored his last kiss and told him how much I loved

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

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

is a nice little space, isn’t it?” He signs, taking two steps into the clearing while I take two

reaction he stops

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

have for accepting me