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.

make room in

I stare at the Queen sized bed I

fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

of this man touching me in my pajamas makes me

not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head, making me laugh knowing he would hate

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

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

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

and his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just

dry throat, stepping off to the

carry a single small bag with what I assume are their

Kota cries, rushing up to the man with

"You’re here!"

at the sight of my son

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

Be strong.I have to be strong for both

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

while Micah and

reach the room, I turn to Zane and have

is your room"

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

to hate her.She was

her eyes widening as

signs something to Zane and he smiles back

on the bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric

me, my body stiffening It was just

wrap my arms around

at us, leaning his head

why she crying?" He asks

an explanation but he

flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes

the room

me," I say curtly, gesturing to

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

elsewhere as I feel the urge to

I

and I point

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

arrangement, I go to

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing

me completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

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

for making this small adjustment but it

stranger no less, but I could not

his entire

out of the way, I will leave you

in the living room, Kota

He chirps as he hears me walk

wolf on his arm! Look! Look!" He cries

Micah's tattoos

cool," I say, forcing a smile

comes in with the final

not

at Kota who continues to

Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping my hands

glances

he's your

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

infecting every aspect of my life like a

us?" Niki asks,

meant you or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they

of hurting you or Kota." I

won't hurt

what every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when

you," I reply coldly with a

can't change what you are.Besides, what's done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that kept me

packs nearby?" I

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

Micah shakes

are the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I

wanting to