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.

and make room in

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

to fit us both but we would inevitably touch

man touching me in my pajamas makes me

the

hours drag on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me

the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking

cleaning up the bed and rush over to the door,

and his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and

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

I assume are

the man with his arms wide

"You’re here!"

shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so freely and

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

I'll Be strong.I have to be strong for both

"Sorry we’re late,"

Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring much

her room while Micah

I turn to Zane and have

your room"

the bed.The bathroom is down the hall to

impossible to hate her.She was

widening as she

he smiles

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

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

to do, I wrap my

curiously at us, leaning his head

she crying?" He

Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting Kota’s

pulls away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment

back to the room and begins

gesturing to Zane and turning to leave

down and follows close behind

with Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

I mutter to

arrive at my room and I

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 and feel my cheeks

the bedding arrangement, I

there," I smirk, pointing to

me completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

did not specify

together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to share

bad for making this small adjustment

enough I had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in the same bed

entire

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

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

as he hears me walk

wolf on his arm! Look!

Micah's

cool," I say, forcing a smile for his

okay?" Nikki asks as she comes in with

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

looking over at Kota who continues to

and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs a

know he's your mate

under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been truly

every aspect

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

harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the

dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff at

won't hurt

what every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you weren't looking.I nod

not mad at you," I

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

there any packs nearby?" I ask, my heart

came looking for me.I would need to leave

Micah shakes

and I are rogues just like

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