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.

I don’t see him and pour myself a glass of wine

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

mate?” Tylen steals a glance at me

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

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,”

her privacy.” Rionna doesn't reply, but I can tell

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

tore down my walls and gave me his heart,” she adds

mate is, don’t

just be afraid of

and you'll find a

and lignore him once more, concentrating

has always been my refuge is now uncomfortable and I

change, no matter who forces their way

I look up again and find a new

corner of my eye, I notice Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling

pack, Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to give

to know why an Alpha would give up

be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does not answer right away, taking his time

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

my wolf and I have ever

it, Idream it, I

It’s in my veins.

my gift makes me a

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

a warrior for my pack because that’s what they

That’s what

I fear the

a good

a monster

need aruthless soldier now, but it

position when there is no heir left to

deserves

am.”

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

proposal?” Tylen asks when there are no more questions for

know,”

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

everything because of this war, his mate, his best

again and kept Rionna’s past a secret for that reason, but he

I don’t know.

lie but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have

as she senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle

quickly

need of some peace and quiet, I take a walk outside with no destination

begin to race and I break into a sprint as I try

a clearing and find a large tree house perched atop a

and steps built into the trunk for easy access

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

was so angry at him for leaving that I refused to kiss him

years and I have still

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

son off to the same war

to find Tylen staring at me near the

two steps into the clearing while I take two steps back

he stops moving but

you left me.” I want nothing more than to run and hide but I remain still and

my family name the only objection you have for accepting me as