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.

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

quickly begins, Zane signing the entire “So Tylen...tell us about

you have a mate?” Tylen steals a

doesn’t trust me,” Tylen replies both audibly and in

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

not for me

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

it makes you feel any better, I didn’t trust my mate in the

he slowly tore down my

mate is, don’t give

afraid

a

the necklace on my neck and lignore him

is now uncomfortable and I

never change, no matter who forces their

to go down the painful road of my past, I look up again and find a new conversation taking place, Zane

as well, the kind gesture filling

you his pack, Zane,” Tylen signs, Talia

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

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

a battlefield from the time I could shift,” Tylen

and I have ever known is

Idream it, I

It’s in my veins.

gift makes me a weapon of

her best to keep me off the battlefield but my

my pack because that’s what they needed me

who That’s what I became...and that frightens

to...but I fear

not a good

a monster in

soldier now, but it will not need another

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 all my

pack deserves a

am.” “That’s very mature

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

my father’s proposal?” Tylen asks when

don’t know,”

share a few words via mindlink before Tylen has an answer.have not forgiven him for what he did to Rionna and

of this war, his mate, his best friend,

losing everything again and kept Rionna’s past a secret

I don’t know.

think of a reason for him to lie but I also wouldn’t put it past him to hide his true motive and have

restless as she senses Tylen’s

me,” I sign, quickly

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

and I break into a sprint

I stumble into a clearing and find a large tree

has a wrap around deck and steps built into the trunk for easy access to

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

for leaving that I

been 20 years and I have

known it would be last time I’d see him, I would have savored his last

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

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

the clearing while I take two steps back

reaction he stops

more than to run and hide but I remain still

only objection you have for accepting me as your