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

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

large enough to fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

of this man touching me in

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

begins to set in the horizon and a small part

the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing who

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

and Micah waiting just behind them to be

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

are their belongings

to the man with his arms wide

"You’re here!"

throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so freely and

Zane had already won Kota over.Would I

I'll Be strong.I have to be strong

"Sorry we’re late,"

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

lead Agnes to her room while Micah and Niki begin

to Zane and have him translate for

your

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

smiles kindly at me and I find it impossible to hate

you,"she signs, her eyes widening

to Zane and he

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

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

I wrap my arms around

curiously at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

she crying?" He

explanation but he remains silent

pink in embarrassment as she

to the room and begins unpacking her

to Zane

relief, Zane puts Kota down and follows close behind

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

I mutter

my room and

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

sleeping over there," I smirk, pointing

at me completely dumbfounded at the change of

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

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

I can only assume is annoyance and nods

making this small adjustment but it could not

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

entire species

way, I will leave you to unpack," I say, stepping around

living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s

look!" He chirps as

on his arm! Look!

at Micah's tattoos

forcing a

as she comes in with the

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

over at Kota who continues to stroke

Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and

exchange glances before Niki sighs a

know he's your

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

every aspect of my life

us?" Niki asks, a worried

Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as

never dream of hurting you or Kota." I

I won't

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

mad at you," I reply

done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a

nearby?" I ask, my heart

Crest wolves came looking for me.I would

shakes his

Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like Zane and

to know exactly who l