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.

but I pretend I don’t see him

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

a glance

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

didn’t tell me?” Rionna glares at Tylen,

could you?” “It’s not for

doesn't reply, but I can tell this

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

to let him in but he slowly tore down my walls and gave me his heart,” she adds with

mate is, don’t give up

be afraid of

you'll find a way to

lignore

which has always been my refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself drowning

who forces

past, I look up again and find a new conversation taking place, Zane still translating

Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with a

Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to give

to know why

an Alpha, or wolf, to be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen

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

wolf and I

live it, Idream it,

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me a weapon

me off the battlefield but my sense of duty always

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

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

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

a good

monster in the

need aruthless soldier now, but it will

from my position when there is no heir left to take the title, but

pack deserves

unfortunately that is not who I am.” “That’s very mature of

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

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

don’t know,” Zane

Rionna 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

this war, his mate, his best friend,

losing everything again and kept Rionna’s past a secret

I don’t know.

past him to hide his true motive and

becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s turmoil and I

I sign, quickly

quiet, I take a walk outside with no destination

to race and I break into a sprint as I try

clearing and find a large tree house

deck and steps built

the tree’s sturdy branches and 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

him for leaving that I refused to kiss him

years and I have still not forgiven

time I’d see him, I would have savored his last

war that took my family and mating me

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

the clearing while I take two steps back and

my reaction he stops moving

I want nothing more than to run and hide

objection you have for accepting me as your mate?”