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.

don’t see him and

“So Tylen...tell us about yourself...” Talia asks,

mate?” Tylen steals a glance at me and turns back to

me,” Tylen replies

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

for me to

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

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

he slowly tore down my

your mate is, don’t give

might just be afraid of

you'll find a way to show

necklace on my neck and lignore him once more, concentrating on cutting my

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

never change, no matter who forces

up again and

translating as well, the

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

have questions.” “Yes, I'd like to know why an

why would you?”

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

and I have

Idream

It’s in my veins.

me a weapon

the battlefield but my sense of duty

pack because that’s what they needed me to

soldier who That’s what

I have to...but I fear the day I

not a good

a monster

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

is no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the right to

pack deserves

not who I am.” “That’s very mature

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 before anyone else

Tylen asks when

know,” Zane

dol know! can trust him?” Tylen and Rionna exchange glances and it appears they share a few words via mindlink before Tylen

of this war, his mate,

everything again and kept Rionna’s past a secret for that reason, but he makes it very

I don’t know.

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

becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s

sign, quickly getting

peace and quiet, I take

into a sprint as I

and find a

deck and steps built into the trunk

my legs to and fro while inhaling the fresh air to soothe my turbulent I have not felt butterflies in

angry at him for leaving

years and I have still

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

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

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

taking two steps into the clearing while I take two

he stops moving but

more than to run and hide but I remain still and frozen

objection you have for accepting me as your