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.

clear out two drawers for Zane and make room

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

large enough to fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

thought of this man touching me in

leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops

horizon and a small part of me

the thought 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

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

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

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

cries, rushing up to the man with

"You’re here!"

and bends down flip at the sight of my

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

strong.I have to

"Sorry we’re late,"

Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they

room while Micah and Niki

we reach the room, I turn to Zane and have him translate for

is your room" I

bed.The bathroom is down the hall to the left," I say,

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

her eyes widening as

he smiles back at her, nodding

her hand feeling the

just a simple room

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

curiously at us, leaning his head

crying?" He asks

explanation but he remains silent as ever, only

pulls away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes

the room and begins

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave Agnes

follows close behind me, Kota

elsewhere as I feel the urge to

bond, I mutter

and I

and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the bed and feel my

bedding arrangement, I go

I smirk, pointing to

completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly,

small

with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in the same bed

and his entire species disgusted

formalities are all out of the way, I will

in the living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos

as he

has a wolf on his arm!

at Micah's

say, forcing a smile for

okay?" Nikki asks as she comes

were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and

also ..." I gulp, looking over at Kota who continues to

and Agnes?" I

exchange glances before Niki sighs a

he's your

lie but at the fact that I had never been truly free of werewolves

aspect of

us?" Niki asks, a worried

as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they truly

would never dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff at her

I won't

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

at you," I reply coldly with

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

any packs nearby?" I ask, my heart in

for me.I would need to leave at once

Micah shakes his

the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are

I pry, wanting to