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.

see him and pour myself a glass of wine

entire “So Tylen...tell us

have a mate?” Tylen steals a glance

she doesn’t trust me,”

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

not for me to tell,” Tylen

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

any better, I didn’t trust my mate in the

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

is, don’t give up

might just be afraid

patience and you'll find a way to show

eyes the necklace on my neck and lignore

my refuge is now uncomfortable and I

no matter who forces

past, I look up again and find a new conversation

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

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

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

honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen does

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

I have ever known

it, Idream it, I breathe

It’s in my veins.

makes me

battlefield but my sense of duty always

a warrior for my pack

who That’s what I became...and that

fight because I have to...but I fear the

not a good

monster in the

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

think it selfish for me to choose to abstain from my position when there is no heir left to

deserves a

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

limitations and I admire your courage to step away and create your own destiny.” Tylen’s eyes meet mine one more

Tylen asks when there are no more questions for

know,” Zane

trust 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

everything because of this war, his mate, his best

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

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 his seat with a shrug, but it seems the entire situation has

wolf, Cynthia, becomes restless as she senses

I sign, quickly getting up

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

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

my run, I stumble into a clearing and find a large tree house perched atop a majestic

around deck and steps built into the trunk for

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

at him for leaving

years and I have still not forgiven

see him, I would have

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

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

two steps into the clearing while

reaction he stops

I want nothing more than to run and hide but I remain still and

objection you have for accepting me