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 the closet for his shoes

at the Queen sized bed I

enough to fit us both but we

this man touching me in my pajamas makes

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

set in the horizon and a small part of

thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my

to the door, taking a deep

and Micah waiting just behind them

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

I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry

to the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

man throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s

met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too? *No,

have to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading

to Zane and have him translate

your

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

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

eyes widening as

something to Zane and he

how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on the

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

my arms

at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

why she crying?" He asks

for an explanation but he remains silent as ever,

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment

the room and begins

curtly, gesturing to Zane and

Kota down and follows close behind me,

I feel the urge to

I mutter to

arrive at my room and I

left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at

I go to the closet and select

I smirk, pointing to

at me completely dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

states we share the ‘bedroom’ It did

assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing

this small adjustment but it could not be

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

entire

the formalities are all out of the way, I will

living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in

chirps as he hears me

a wolf on his arm!

at Micah's tattoos and

say, forcing a smile for

she comes in with the

my friends were not

I gulp, looking over at Kota who continues to stroke

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

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki

he's

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

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like

you upset with us?" Niki asks, a

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

or

won't hurt

werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you

not mad at you," I

on her feet and I ask

I ask, my heart in my

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

shakes his

Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues

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