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.

drawers for Zane and make room in the closet

at the Queen sized bed I was expected to share

was large enough to fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

me in

be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into

horizon and

enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart

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

smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to be let

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

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

cries, rushing up to the man with his

"You’re here!"

bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son

Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him

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

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

room while Micah and

turn to Zane and have

your

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

to hate

signs, her eyes widening as she takes in

to Zane and he smiles

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

body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the garden and a comfortable

to do, I wrap my

us, leaning his head

crying?" He asks

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

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes her

to the room

me," I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave

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

with Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel

I mutter to

and I point

in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the bed and feel my

arrangement, I go to the closet and

there," I smirk,

dumbfounded at the change of

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

‘bedroom’ It did not specify

in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods

small

wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in the same bed

and his entire species disgusted

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

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

chirps as he hears me

wolf on his

at Micah's tattoos

cool," I say, forcing a smile for his

okay?" Nikki asks as she comes in with

were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and ask for

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

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

exchange glances before Niki

know he's your

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

every aspect of my

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

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

of hurting you or Kota." I almost

won't

sank their teeth

you," I reply coldly with a

is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question

nearby?" I ask, my heart in

Christian and the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once if that was the

Micah shakes

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

pack?" I pry, wanting to