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.

make room in the closet for

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

fit us both but we would inevitably touch during

me in my pajamas makes

punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops

in the horizon and

doorbell rings, my

over to the door, taking a deep breath as

Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to

swallow hard, hoping my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to

bag with what I assume are their belongings

cries, rushing up to the man with his

"You’re here!"

flip at the sight of my son running

and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so

strong.I have to be strong

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

I turn to Zane and

is your room" I

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

and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had

widening as

Zane and he smiles back at

comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put

her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large

wrap my arms

stares curiously at us, leaning

crying?" He asks

turn to Zane for an explanation but he remains

away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as

to the room and begins

to Zane

behind

force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

I mutter

at my room and I point

these two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to

I smirk,

at me completely dumbfounded at

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

his lips together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not

almost feel bad for making this small adjustment but it could

had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

entire species disgusted

will leave you to unpack," I say, stepping around him

Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s arms with

as he hears me walk

on his arm!

Micah's tattoos and

cool," I say, forcing a

Nikki asks as she comes

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

over at Kota who continues to stroke Micah's

you like Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping

exchange glances before Niki sighs a

we know he's your

but at the fact that I had never

infecting every aspect of my life

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

she adds quickly, as

you or Kota." I

won't

sank their teeth into your back

mad at you," I

done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and

packs nearby?" I ask, my heart

Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once

Micah shakes his

are the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and

wanting to know exactly who l am dealing