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.

for Zane and make room in the closet for his shoes

my belly as I stare at the Queen sized bed I

both but we would inevitably touch during our

man touching me in my pajamas makes me

the pillows and an idea pops

to set in the horizon

as the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing who the visitors

finish cleaning up the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath

mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah

will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

assume are their belongings

the man with his

"You’re here!"

flip at the sight of my son

met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I

Be strong.I have to be strong

"Sorry we’re late,"

her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring much with them to begin

Micah and Niki begin unloading the

I turn to

is your room"

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

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

you,"she signs, her eyes widening as

Zane and he

by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the

rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the garden

else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and

at us, leaning his head

why she crying?" He asks

Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever,

pink in embarrassment as

turns back to the room and begins unpacking

gesturing to Zane and

close behind me, Kota running down the hall to get his

I feel the urge to turn

I

at my room and I

closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I

the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet and

be sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing to

me completely dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we

only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he

for making this small adjustment but it could

with a wolf, a stranger no less,

his entire species disgusted

the way, I will leave you to unpack,"

chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the

He chirps as

on his arm! Look! Look!"

glance at Micah's tattoos

say, forcing

asks as she comes in with

and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide

looking over at Kota who

Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and

glances before Niki sighs

we know he's

lie but at the fact that I had

aspect of my life like

us?" Niki asks, a worried look on her

meant you or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they truly

of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff at

I won't

they sank their teeth into your

not mad at you," I reply coldly with

done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet

packs nearby?" I ask, my heart

came looking for me.I would need to leave

Micah shakes

Poulsbo.Nikki and I

your pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly