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.

clear out two drawers for Zane and make room in the closet for his shoes and

I stare at the Queen sized

both but we would inevitably touch during our

of this man touching me in my pajamas

so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head, making me laugh

hours drag on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes perhaps Zane had changed his

thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart

up the bed and rush over to the door, taking a

Nikki and Micah waiting just

will soothe my dry throat, stepping off

I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to

rushing up to the man with

"You’re here!"

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

to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

nod silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping bags

the room, I turn to Zane and have him

your room" I

is down the hall to the

me and I find it impossible to hate

you,"she signs, her eyes widening as she

something to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

takes 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 the bed

eyes and 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

stares curiously at us, leaning his

she crying?" He asks

but he remains silent as

flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes her

back to the room and begins

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running down the

I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the

bond, I mutter

and I point to

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

clarify the bedding arrangement, I

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing to the

dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we had

can only assume is annoyance and nods

bad for making this small adjustment but it could

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

and his entire species

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

in the living

as he hears me walk

has a wolf on his arm!

glance at Micah's

cool," I say, forcing a smile for

comes in

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

you....Are you also ..." I gulp, looking over at Kota

like Zane and Agnes?" I ask,

exchange glances before

we know he's your

feel a cold anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the

everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like a

asks, a worried look on her

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

of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff

I won't hurt

promised before they sank their teeth into

I

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

there any packs nearby?" I

and the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave

Micah shakes his

and I are rogues just like Zane

pry, wanting to know