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 the closet for his shoes and

stare at the Queen sized

both but we would inevitably touch during

of this man touching me

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

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

doorbell rings, my

over to the door, taking a deep breath

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

dry throat, stepping off to the side

a single small bag with what I assume are their belongings

to the man with

"You’re here!"

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

morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too?

to

"Sorry we’re late,"

smiles, "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

I turn to Zane and have him translate for

is your room" I

some towels on the bed.The bathroom is down the hall to the left," I say, pointing down the hall

at me and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not

her eyes widening as she

he smiles back at her, nodding

shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand

rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a

do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and

leaning

crying?" He

but he remains silent as ever, only patting Kota’s back

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as

room and begins

gesturing to

follows close behind me, Kota running

with Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

I

at my room and I point to

closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to the

there," I smirk,

completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

the ‘bedroom’ It did

in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could

for making this small adjustment but it could not

no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in

and his entire species disgusted

that the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you

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

chirps as he hears me walk

a wolf on his arm! Look! Look!"

at Micah's tattoos and

forcing

as she comes in

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

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

and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping

Nikki exchange glances

he's your

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

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like

Niki asks, a worried look on her

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

or Kota."

won't

sank their teeth into your back

mad at you," I reply coldly with a

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

I

and the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once

Micah shakes

in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like

wanting to know exactly