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.

Zane and make

as I stare at the Queen sized bed I was

us both but we would inevitably touch during

me in my pajamas

I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head, making

drag on until the sun begins to set in the horizon

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

and rush over to the

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

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

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

up to the man

"You’re here!"

his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so freely

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

strong.I have to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for

Micah and Niki begin

turn to Zane and

your room" I

is down the hall to

impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not forced me into this

signs, her eyes widening as she takes in

to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

and comfortable it is, her hand

hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a

do, I wrap my arms

leaning his head against

crying?"

to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever,

pulls away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment

the room and

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

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

as I feel the urge to turn around and hold

bond, I mutter

at my room and I

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

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet and

there," I smirk, pointing to

stares at me completely dumbfounded at

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

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

small adjustment but it could not

share my home with a wolf, a stranger no

and his entire species

will leave

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

chirps as

wolf on his arm!

glance at Micah's

I say, forcing a smile

Nikki asks as she comes in with the final

last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and ask for

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

and Agnes?" I ask, clasping

exchange glances

know he's your

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

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of

us?" Niki asks, a worried look

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

of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff at

won't hurt

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

I reply coldly with a

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

packs nearby?" I

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

Micah shakes

in Poulsbo.Nikki and

your pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly