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

Zane signing the entire “So Tylen...tell us about yourself...” Talia

a mate?” Tylen steals a glance at me

trust me,” Tylen replies

can’t say I blame her.” “You met your mate and didn’t tell me?” Rionna glares at

you?” “It’s not for

but I can tell this conversation

mate in the beginning either,” Talia says

refused to let him in but he slowly tore down my walls

is, don’t

might just be afraid

and you'll find a way to show her you’re worth opening up

and lignore him once more, concentrating

my refuge is now uncomfortable

no matter who forces their way into my

down the painful road of my past, I look up again and find a

Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with

has offered you his pack, Zane,” Tylen signs,

questions.” “Yes, I'd like to know

never met an Alpha, or wolf, to be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does not

the time

my wolf and I have ever

live it, Idream it, I

It’s in my veins.

me

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

my pack because that’s

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

fear the day I fight

not a

a monster in

now, but it will

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

deserves

not who I am.”

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

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

don’t know,” Zane

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 to understand

of this war, his mate,

Rionna’s past a secret for that reason, but he makes it very difficult to

I don’t know.

but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have something up his sleeve.” He settles back in his seat with a shrug,

senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle to restrain

I sign, quickly getting up

and quiet, I take a walk outside

I break into a sprint as I try to outrun

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

around deck and steps built into the

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

him for leaving that I refused to kiss him

been 20 years and I have still

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

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

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

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

my reaction he stops moving but continues

it the day 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 your