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

Queen sized bed I was expected to share with a

us both but

me in my pajamas makes

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

sun begins to set in the horizon and a small

my mind, the doorbell rings, my

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

and Micah

saliva will soothe my dry throat,

what I assume are

Kota cries, rushing up to the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

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

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

have to

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

turn to Zane and have him translate

your room"

hall to the left," I

impossible to hate her.She was not

widening as

Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

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

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

to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept

at us, leaning his head against

crying?" He asks

but he remains silent as ever, only

flushed pink

back to the room and begins unpacking her

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

my relief, Zane puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running down the hall to

thoughts elsewhere as I feel

I

room and I point to the

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

stares at me completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

It did not specify that we had to share the

presses his lips together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to

making this small adjustment but it

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

entire

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

Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting

look!" He chirps as he hears me walk

on his arm! Look! Look!" He cries

at Micah's tattoos and

I say, forcing a smile for

asks as she comes in with the

hadn't stopped thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite

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

and Agnes?" I

exchange glances before Niki sighs

know he's

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

aspect of my life

upset with us?" Niki asks, a worried look

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

you or Kota."

I won't

they sank their teeth into your back when you weren't looking.I nod

you," I reply

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

packs nearby?" I ask,

the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I

shakes

only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and

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