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.

drawers for Zane and make room in the closet

my belly as I stare at the Queen sized bed I was

us both but

thought of this man touching me in my pajamas

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

begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes perhaps

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

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

Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to be let

will soothe my dry throat, stepping

and Agnes each carry a single small bag with what I assume are

the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so freely

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

have to be

"Sorry we’re late,"

her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring

her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

turn to Zane and have him translate for

is your room" I

bathroom is down the hall to the left," I say, pointing down the hall to show

find it impossible to hate her.She

her eyes widening as she takes in

signs something to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

seat on the bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on the

was just a simple room with a large window looking into

wrap my arms around Agnes and

at us, leaning

crying?"

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

pink in embarrassment

back to the room and begins unpacking her

say curtly, gesturing to Zane

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

I feel the urge to turn around and hold

I mutter

and I point

out 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 at the bed and feel my cheeks heat

arrangement, I go to the closet and select

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing

stares at me completely dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

did not specify that we had to

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

this small adjustment but

bad enough I had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping

entire species disgusted

out of the way, I will leave you to

away with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the

chirps as he hears

has a wolf on his

at Micah's

I say, forcing a smile for his

asks as she comes in with the final

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

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

Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping my

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs

know he's your mate

but at the fact that

every aspect of

Niki asks, a worried look on

harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that

you or Kota." I

won't

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

not mad at you," I reply coldly with

nervously on her feet and I ask a question that

any packs nearby?" I ask, my heart in my

came looking for me.I would need to leave

shakes his

the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I

your pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly