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.

hello but I pretend I don’t see him and pour myself a glass

us about yourself...” Talia asks,

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

doesn’t trust me,” Tylen

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

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

doesn't reply, but

my mate in the beginning either,” Talia says as she

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

your mate is, don’t give up

just be afraid of her own

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

lignore him once more, concentrating on

is now

matter who forces their way

past, I look up again and find a new conversation taking

I notice Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling

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

like to know why an

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

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

I have ever known

Idream

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me

tried her best to keep me off the battlefield but my sense of duty

warrior for my pack because that’s what

who That’s what I

to...but I fear the day I

a

a monster

it will not need another

no heir left to take the

deserves a good

is not who I am.”

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

father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when there are no more questions

know,” Zane

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 and I...lam trying

because of this war, his mate, his best friend, his

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

I don’t know.

can’t think 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

becomes restless as she senses Tylen’s

I sign, quickly

and quiet, I take a

I break into a sprint as

a clearing and find a large tree house

built into the

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

him for leaving

and I have still not

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

scent of sage and magnolia fills the air and I look up to find Tylen staring at me near the edge of the clearing,

steps into the clearing while I take two steps back and nearly bump into the tree

he stops

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

objection you have for accepting me