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 pour

Tylen...tell us about yourself...” Talia asks, Zane giving her a

steals a glance at me and

her...but she doesn’t trust me,”

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

“It’s not for

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

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

tore down my walls

don’t give up on

might just be afraid of

time and patience and you'll find a way to

and lignore him once more, concentrating on cutting

my refuge is now uncomfortable and I find myself drowning in my

who forces their way

look up again and

my eye, I notice Tylen translating as well, the kind gesture filling me with a warm

hear my father has offered you his pack, Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia

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

so why would you?” Tylen

a battlefield from the time I could shift,” Tylen

wolf and I have ever

Idream

It’s in my veins.

my gift makes me a weapon of

best to keep me off the battlefield

for my pack because that’s what they needed me to

who That’s what I became...and

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

not a good

monster

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

no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the right to walk away after all my years

deserves

I am.” “That’s very mature of

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

asks when

know,”

know! can 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 for what he

war, his mate, his best

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

I don’t know.

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 back in his seat with

senses Tylen’s turmoil and I struggle to restrain

me,” I sign, quickly getting up to

and quiet, I take a walk outside

and I break into a sprint as I

into a clearing and find a large tree

built into 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

so angry at him for leaving that I

been 20 years and I

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

the same war that took my family and mating me to the

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

signs, taking two steps into the clearing while

reaction he stops

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

objection you have for accepting me as your mate?”