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

I stare at the Queen sized bed I was expected to

large enough to fit us both but we

this man touching me

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

on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes perhaps Zane had changed his

as the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing

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

smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them

dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

I assume are their belongings while

the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

at the

over.Would I fall so easily for

Be strong.I have to be strong

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

Agnes to her room while Micah

I turn to

your

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

find it impossible to hate

eyes widening as she takes in

something to Zane and he smiles

by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand

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

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

at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

she crying?" He

but he remains silent as ever,

flushed pink in embarrassment

turns back to the room and begins unpacking

gesturing to Zane and turning

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

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

bond, I mutter

my room and I

to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the bed and

I go to the

be sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing to the

stares at me completely dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

did not specify that

I can only assume is annoyance

feel bad for making this small adjustment but it

I had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could

and his entire

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

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

look!" He chirps as he hears me walk

has a wolf on his arm!

Micah's tattoos and

say, forcing

she comes in with the final

the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet

I gulp, looking over at

Zane and Agnes?" I

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs a

we know he's

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

every aspect of my life

Niki asks, a worried look on

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

you or Kota." I almost scoff at

I won't hurt

sank their teeth into your

I reply coldly with

Niki shifts nervously on

nearby?" I ask, my heart in

wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave

shakes

and I are rogues just like Zane

pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly