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 for his shoes and

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

fit us both but we would inevitably

man touching me in my pajamas makes me

I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head,

set in the horizon and a small

enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart

and rush over to the door, taking a

and Micah waiting just

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

with what I assume are their

rushing up to the man with

"You’re here!"

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

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

I'll Be strong.I have to

"Sorry we’re late,"

go shopping for more

nod silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

reach the room, I turn to Zane

is your room"

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

find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not

widening as

signs something to Zane and he smiles back

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

It was just a simple room with

do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept her

us, leaning his

crying?" He

Zane for an explanation but he

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

back to the room and

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave Agnes

Zane puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota

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

I mutter to

room and I

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

the bedding arrangement, I

over there," I smirk, pointing

at me completely dumbfounded at the change

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

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

almost feel bad for making this small adjustment but

was bad enough I had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no

entire species disgusted

all out of the way, I will

with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting

look!" He chirps as he hears me

on his

glance at Micah's tattoos

I say, forcing a

she comes in

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

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

you like Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping

exchange glances before

he's

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

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of

you upset with us?" Niki asks, a

as if to clarify

dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost

I won't hurt

werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you weren't looking.I

not mad at you," I reply coldly with

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

nearby?" I ask, my heart

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

Micah shakes his

and I are rogues just like Zane and

wanting to know exactly who l am dealing