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 him and pour

signing the entire “So Tylen...tell us about

Tylen steals a glance at me

she doesn’t trust me,”

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

could you?” “It’s not for me to tell,” Tylen

Rionna doesn't reply, but I can tell

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

let him in but he slowly tore down my

your mate is, don’t give

might just be afraid

you'll find a way to show her

lignore him once more, concentrating

is now uncomfortable and I

matter who

look up again and find a new conversation taking place, Zane still translating for my

I notice Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with a warm fuzzy

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

“Yes, I'd like to know why an Alpha would give

would you?” Tylen does not answer right away,

a battlefield from the time I could

my wolf and I have ever known

it, Idream it, I

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me a weapon of

me off the battlefield but my sense

a warrior for my pack

what I became...and

fear the day I fight because I want

a good

monster in

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

heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the right to walk away after all my years of

deserves a good

who I am.” “That’s very mature of you,”

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

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

know,” Zane

him?” Tylen and 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

lost everything because of this war, his

past a secret

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 up his sleeve.” He settles back in his seat with a

becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle to restrain

quickly getting up

I take a walk outside with

break into a sprint as I

and find a large tree house perched atop a

steps built into

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

leaving that I

years and I have

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

is mocking my pain, sending my son off to the same war

the 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,

taking two steps into the clearing while I take two

he stops

you left me.” I want nothing more than to

name the only objection you have