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.

two drawers for Zane and make room in the closet

the Queen sized bed I was expected to share with a

fit us both but we would inevitably touch

me in

punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my

hours drag on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small

enters my mind, the doorbell rings,

cleaning up the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath as I

mother smile politely at me, Nikki and

hoping my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off

are their belongings while

Kota cries, rushing up to the man with his

"You’re here!"

his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight

Kota over.Would I fall

Be strong.I have to

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping bags in

the room, I turn to Zane and have him translate

your room"

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

it impossible to hate her.She was not

her eyes widening as she takes in the

something to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

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

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

do, I wrap my

curiously at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

crying?" He asks

for an explanation but he remains silent as

cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as she

room

to Zane and

puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota

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

bond, I mutter to

my room and

some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I

the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet and

there," I

completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we had to share the

in what I can only assume is annoyance

this small adjustment but it

a wolf, a stranger no

and his entire

the way, I will leave you to unpack," I say, stepping around him and exiting the

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

chirps as he hears me

his arm! Look! Look!"

at Micah's tattoos

I say, forcing a smile for his

as she comes in with the final

of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I

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

Zane and Agnes?" I

glances before Niki sighs

he's your

my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been truly free

everywhere, infecting every aspect of my

with us?" Niki asks, a worried look

as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they

of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff

I won't hurt

they sank their teeth into your back when you weren't looking.I nod

not mad at you," I reply coldly with

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

nearby?" I

looking for me.I would need

shakes

are the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like

wanting to know exactly