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.

out two drawers for Zane and make room in the

fills my belly as I stare at the Queen sized bed

us both but we would

me in my pajamas makes me

wish their Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea

set in the horizon and a small

the doorbell rings, my heart

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

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

my dry throat, stepping

carry a single small bag with what I assume are their

Kota cries, rushing up to the man with his arms

"You’re here!"

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

had already won Kota over.Would I fall so

Be strong.I have to be

"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

silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki

room, I turn to Zane and

your room"

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

hate her.She was not

you,"she signs, her eyes widening as she takes

he smiles

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

body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the garden and a comfortable

else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and

at us, leaning his

why she crying?" He

an explanation but he remains silent as

cheeks flushed pink in

the room

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning

follows close behind me,

force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the

bond, I

at my room and

closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I

the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet

be sleeping over there," I

completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that

annoyance

this small adjustment but it

a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

entire species disgusted

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

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

chirps as

wolf on his

at Micah's tattoos and

I say, forcing a smile for

asks as she comes in

of last night and the possibility 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 continues to stroke Micah's tattoos

and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping

Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs

know he's

tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I

everywhere, infecting every aspect of

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

or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they

never dream of hurting you or Kota." I

won't

their teeth into your back when

you," I reply coldly with

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

any packs nearby?" I

Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need

Micah shakes his

and I are rogues

I pry, wanting to know exactly who l am dealing