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

belly as I stare at the Queen sized bed

both but we

touching me in my pajamas makes

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

until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes

enters my mind, the doorbell

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

his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and

soothe my dry throat, stepping

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

to the

"You’re here!"

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

only met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for

Be strong.I have to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t

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

turn to Zane and have him

your

hall to the left," I say, pointing down the hall to show

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

widening as

something to Zane and he smiles back

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

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

my

us, leaning his head against

crying?"

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

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as

turns back to the room and begins unpacking

me," I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

and follows close behind me, Kota running down the hall to get

elsewhere as I feel the

I mutter to

room and I point

the closet for you to hang your

clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet and

be sleeping over there," I smirk,

stares at me completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he

this small

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

his entire

now that the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack,"

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

He chirps as he hears

a wolf on his arm! Look! Look!"

glance at Micah's

I say, forcing a smile for

Nikki asks as she comes in

of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I

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

Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping my hands

Nikki exchange glances

know he's your

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

aspect of my life like a

you upset with us?" Niki asks, a worried

meant you or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they

would never dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff

won't hurt

their teeth into your back

mad at you," I reply coldly

on her

I

wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave

shakes

Poulsbo.Nikki and I are

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