The Silent Alpha

***Natalia*** 

Zane leaves to collect his things and Agnes from Nikki and Micah's place, giving me the chance to really think about what I just agreed to.I head to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face and neck, letting out a huge sigh as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

My reflection mocks my pathetic situation, laughing at me for accepting yet another wolf into my life.

‘Don't let him get too close" I remind myself.

' Every kind gesture, every kiss, every gentle caress of my face...it will all be a lie.He doesn't really love me.He doesn't care about me no matter how much he says he does"

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about all the times Christian looked me in the eyes with such false sincerity, professing his undying love for me all the while f*****g my sister behind my back.

Wiping the tears that stain my cheeks, I inspect my reflection, my eyes scrutinizing every imperfection.

Dark circles hug my eyes from my restless night.

Fearful that Zane would find me, I called out of work this morning, keeping Kota home instead of taking him to daycare.

Of course, my attempts proved futile.

The wolf found me without much effort.

‘I am not good enough to fall in love with anyways" I shrug to myself, drying off my face.

‘I couldn't even keep my husband interested in me before he looked elsewhere...Perhaps Zane will also find me inadequate as a mate and move on as well.." I nod at my reflection reassuringly.

‘Yes.Sooner or later, he'll stop liking me and I'll be free"

Having given myself the pep talk of the century, I hurry to find little Kota playing in the backyard and call him to me.He happily waddles over to me with a grin on his face.

"Where's Zane, mommy?" he asks, looking behind me into the living room.

"Can he come play with me?"

I crouch down and lift him into my arms, carrying him over to the living room and sitting him down on the sofa.I smooth down his hair and cup his chubby cheeks in my hands.

"Kota," I say, forcing a smile for him.

"What do you think about Zane staying with us … just for a little bit?"

His eyes widen with joy.

"Yeah!" He cries, jumping up on his feet and clapping his hands.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"

"You like that idea?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

Kota jumps onto the couch and bursts into laughter.

"Yeah," he giggles, resting his chin in his hands.

"And what about Agnes? Can she stay here too?" I ask.

Kota bounces on his toes, shooting his fingers up in a happy I pout at him.

"I thought I made the best cookies..."

"No," he grins, shaking his head and jumping up like a rabbit.

I feign hurt at his honesty and he rushes up to kiss me square on the lips.

"But Mommy makes the best pancakes!" He chirps.

Kota suddenly stretches out his arms like a plane and flies over to his toy chest, pulling out his favorite toy train and action figures.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he makes a small pile of toys.

"To play with Zane," he shrugs as if that were the most obvious answer.

Worry fills my heart as I realize that Kota would be affected by Zane’s imminent departure.

I would need to do everything in my power to make sure Zane rejects me quickly and leaves us both in one piece.

"Remember, Kota," I sigh, crawling over to him.

"He’s only here for a little while.He won’t be here forever.Entiendes? understand ?"I ask.

He nods and continues to make a pile of toys for Zane when he arrives.

Seeing no point in explaining any further, I rush off to the guest room and ensure it’s comfortable for Agnes, changing the sheets and myself to share my space with a man.

out two drawers for Zane and make room in the closet for

I stare at the Queen sized bed I was expected to share with

us both but

me in my pajamas

their Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea

set in the horizon and a small part of me

enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing who

to the

and Micah waiting just behind them to be

dry throat,

and Agnes each carry a single small bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to be

rushing up to the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the

Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too?

to be strong for both

"Sorry we’re late,"

smiles, "but we promised Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring much with them to

her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping bags in

the room, I turn to Zane and have

is your

some towels on the bed.The bathroom is down the hall to the left," I say, pointing down the hall to

smiles kindly at me and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not forced me into

widening as she takes

he smiles back at

a seat on the bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on

stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the

else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and

us, leaning his head against Zane’s

crying?" He asks

an explanation but he remains

flushed pink in embarrassment as

room and begins unpacking her

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave Agnes

my relief, Zane puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota

I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the

I mutter

my room and I point to the

drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the bed

the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet

sleeping over there," I smirk,

stares at me completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we had to

can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to share my

for making this small adjustment but it could

a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

his entire species

the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack," I say, stepping

Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota

as he hears me

a wolf on his arm! Look! Look!" He cries

glance at Micah's tattoos

cool," I say, forcing a smile for his

Nikki asks as she comes in with the final shopping

thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I

you also ..." I gulp, looking over at Kota who continues

I ask, clasping and unclasping my

glances before

we know he's your

skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never

everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like

upset with us?" Niki asks, a worried look on her

she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were

you or Kota." I almost

won't

every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you

mad at you," I

what you are.Besides, what's done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that

I ask,

looking for me.I would need

Micah shakes

are the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like Zane

pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly who l am