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.

and make room in the closet for his shoes

the Queen sized bed I was expected

both but

thought of this man touching me in my

be and not punish me so! I readjust the

until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small

my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking

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

Nikki and Micah waiting just

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

assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear

cries, rushing up to the

"You’re here!"

throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of

only met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so

have to be strong for

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

reach the room, I turn to Zane

is your room" I

is down the hall to the

me and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not

signs, her eyes widening

he smiles back at her, nodding

and comfortable it is, her hand

stiffening It was just a

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

leaning his head against Zane’s

she crying?" He

Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting Kota’s back

flushed pink in

turns back to the room and begins

me," I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

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

I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around and hold

bond, I

and I point to the

for you to hang your things,"

clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to

there," I smirk, pointing to

at me completely dumbfounded at the change of

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he

making this small adjustment

my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of

his entire species

out of the way, I will leave

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

chirps as he hears me walk

wolf on his arm! Look! Look!" He

at Micah's

say, forcing a

okay?" Nikki asks as she comes in with the final shopping

hadn't stopped thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite

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

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

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs a

we know he's

under my skin, not at their lie but at

were everywhere, infecting every aspect

you upset with us?" Niki asks, a worried look on her

she adds quickly, as

of hurting you or Kota." I

won't hurt

sank their teeth into your back when you weren't

you," I reply coldly

done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask

there any packs nearby?" I ask,

me.I would need to leave at

Micah shakes

in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like

to know exactly