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

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

fit us both but we

man touching me in my pajamas makes

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

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

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

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

Nikki and Micah waiting just behind

hard, hoping my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

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

Kota cries, rushing up to the man with

"You’re here!"

bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so

this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would

to be strong for both

"Sorry we’re late,"

"but we promised Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping

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

room, I turn to Zane and have him

your

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

to hate her.She was not my

eyes widening as

and he smiles back at her,

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

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

else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept

curiously at us, leaning

she crying?" He

an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes her

room and begins unpacking

gesturing to Zane

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

thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge

I mutter to

room and

these two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things,"

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing

at me completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

is annoyance and nods

bad for making this small adjustment but

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

entire species disgusted

the way, I will leave you to unpack," I say, stepping

living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in

He chirps as he hears me walk

a wolf on his arm!

glance at Micah's tattoos and

I say, forcing a smile for

as she comes in

night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to

at Kota who continues to

you like Zane and Agnes?" I ask,

Nikki exchange glances before

he's

a cold anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had

everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life

Niki asks, a worried

any harm," she adds quickly, as

of hurting you or Kota." I

I won't

sank their teeth into

I reply coldly with a

is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that kept me up

any packs nearby?" I ask, my heart in my

came looking for me.I would need to leave at

Micah shakes

in Poulsbo.Nikki and

I pry, wanting to know