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 myself a glass of wine

entire “So Tylen...tell us about

mate?” Tylen steals a glance at me and

her...but she doesn’t trust me,” Tylen replies

mate and didn’t

for me

doesn't reply, but I can

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

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

mate is, don’t give up on

afraid of

find a way to show her

and lignore him

refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself drowning in

never change, no matter who forces

to go down the painful road of my past, I look up

I notice Tylen translating as

Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to

assume you have questions.” “Yes, I'd like to know why an Alpha would give up

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

on a battlefield from the time I

wolf and I

it, Idream it, I

It’s in my veins.

me a weapon

battlefield but my sense of duty always dragged

warrior for my pack because that’s what

what I became...and that

I fear the day I

not a good

monster

but it will not need another

abstain from my position when there is no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the right

deserves a good

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

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

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

know,”

exchange glances and it appears they share a few words via mindlink before Tylen

war,

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

I don’t know.

him to hide his true motive and have something up his sleeve.” He settles

restless as she senses Tylen’s

me,” I sign, quickly getting up

peace and quiet, I

and I break into a sprint as I try to outrun

into a clearing and find a large tree house perched atop a majestic oak

wrap around deck and steps built into the trunk for easy access

swing hangs from one of 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 kiss from me the day he

so angry at him for leaving that I refused to

been 20 years and I have still not

him, I would have

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

find Tylen staring at me near the edge

steps into the clearing

reaction he stops moving

it the day you left me.” I want nothing more than to run and hide

family name the only objection you have