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.

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

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

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

she doesn’t trust me,” Tylen

didn’t tell me?” Rionna glares at Tylen,

for

Rionna doesn't reply, but I can tell this conversation will

any better, I didn’t trust my mate in the beginning either,” Talia says as she pours juice for

my walls and gave me his heart,” she adds

your mate is, don’t

might just be afraid

find a way to show her you’re worth opening

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

my refuge is now uncomfortable and I find

never change, no matter who

my past, I look up again and find a new conversation taking place, Zane still translating for

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

Tylen signs, Talia sitting up straighter to

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

an Alpha, or wolf, to be honest, who would, so why would you?” Tylen

been on a battlefield from the time

I have ever known

it, Idream

It’s in my veins.

me a

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

to be a warrior for my pack because that’s what they needed

soldier who That’s what I

to...but I fear the day

a

monster in the

need aruthless soldier now, but it will not need another

think it selfish for me to choose to abstain from my position when there is no heir left to take the title, but I think I’ve earned the right to walk away after

deserves a

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

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

my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when

know,”

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 did to Rionna and I...lam

this war, his

secret for that reason, but

I don’t know.

true motive and have something up his sleeve.” He settles back in his seat with a shrug,

senses

I sign, quickly

need of some peace and quiet, I take a

and I break into a sprint

I stumble into a clearing and find a large tree house perched atop

a wrap around deck and steps built

inhaling the fresh air to soothe my turbulent I

for leaving that I refused to kiss him

20 years and I have still

I would have savored his last kiss and told

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

look up to find Tylen staring at me

a nice little space, isn’t it?” He signs, taking two steps into the clearing

my reaction he stops moving

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

you have for accepting me as your mate?” he asks