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.

for Zane and make room in the closet for his shoes and

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

was large enough to fit us both but we would inevitably

this man touching me in

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

to set in the horizon

the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing who the visitors

to the door, taking a deep breath as

his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting

my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to

and Agnes each carry a single small bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what

up to the man

"You’re here!"

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

Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too? *No, I shake

Be strong.I have to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring

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

we reach the room, I turn to

your

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

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

eyes widening as she takes in the

to Zane and he smiles back

her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on the bed for

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

I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept her

curiously at us, leaning

she crying?"

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

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment

turns back to the room and begins unpacking her

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

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

I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around

bond, I mutter

my room and

cleared out these two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn

arrangement, I go to the closet

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing to the

me completely dumbfounded at the change of

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

It did not

assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to

this small

wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

and his entire species

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

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

as he hears me

a wolf on his arm!

at Micah's

I say, forcing a smile for

asks as she comes in with the

the possibility that my friends were not who I thought

gulp, looking over at Kota who continues to stroke Micah's tattoos in

like Zane and Agnes?" I

glances

we know he's

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

every aspect

with us?" Niki asks, a worried

never meant you or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify

never dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost

won't hurt

they sank their teeth into your back

you," I reply coldly with

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

packs nearby?" I ask, my heart

wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once if that was

shakes

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

pack?" I pry, wanting to know