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.

make room in the closet for his shoes

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

us both but we would inevitably touch during our

touching 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 pops into my head, making me

on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a

mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing

over to the door, taking a deep breath as

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

swallow hard, hoping my saliva will soothe my dry throat,

what I assume are

to the man with his

"You’re here!"

flip at the sight of my son running

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

I'll Be strong.I have to be strong for both

"Sorry we’re late,"

her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring much with them to begin

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

turn to Zane

your room" I

is down the hall to the left," I

it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not forced me into this

eyes widening as she takes

Zane and he smiles

how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric

wipes at her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the

what else to do, I wrap my arms around

curiously at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

crying?" He

explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting

pink in embarrassment as she wipes

room and

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave

puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running down the

my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

bond, I

room and I point to the

hang your things," I shrug.I turn to find

I go to the

be sleeping over there," I

completely dumbfounded

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we

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

small adjustment but

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

entire species

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

chattering away with Micah in the living room,

He chirps as he hears

his arm! Look! Look!"

Micah's

cool," I say, forcing a smile

comes in with the final

possibility that my friends were not who

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

like Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping my

and Nikki exchange glances before

we know he's your

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

infecting every aspect of my life like a

asks, a worried look on her

never meant you or Kota any harm," she adds quickly, as if to

never dream of hurting you or Kota." I almost scoff at her

I won't hurt

they sank their teeth into your

mad at you," I reply coldly with a

Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that

nearby?" I ask, my heart

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

Micah shakes his

and I are

your pack?" I pry, wanting to know exactly