The Silent Alpha

***Zane*** 

"S-Scarlett Haven dies with S-Sebastian White,"

I murmur, turning to look at my father’s corpse.

"My f-father never thought I-I could be y-your Alpha and none of y-you bestowed upon me an ounce of ki-kindness despite my i-innocence.As such, I-Il cannot trust y-you all will follow or re-respect me as y-your Alpha and I-I refuse to lead y-you," I say, shaking my head at the Scarlett wolves.

"I-I will renounce the alliance with Crescent Mane and will f-formally hand y-you over to Onyx Stone.They will decide y-your fate."

There are murmurs amongst the crowd of Scarlett wolves but they all seem to fade away when I again feel a pain in my chest.

Talia...

Grayson whines.She needs us.

As I turn to leave, however, the Ravenstone wolves begin to ask their own questions.

"Alpha, what would you like ustodonow ?" Tylen asks, his eyes glaring at the Scarlett Wolves.

"Do we take them as prisoners? Do we take their weapons and detain them?" I look around at all the faces now turning to me for guidance and I desperately try to sort out my thoughts and my worry for Talia.

"know it’s overwhelming, but just take it one step ata time," Toran mind-links me.

"Look around you.What is the most pressing matter at the moment? What needs to be done first?"

Taking his advice, I scan the area and find the first few issues.

"I need volunteers to collect the bodies of our fallen soldiers.They deserve to be put to rest with the utmost respect for their sacrifice.Someone should also search for General Taryn’s body in the water.I'd like to give her a proper burial," I add quietly, noticing Toran shield his face from the prying eyes of his pack for a moment."We will hold a Moon Ceremony sometime this week for everyone.

Three young men immediately step forward.

"We volunteer to find the general " one of them says, the young wolf bowing his head in respect to Toran.

"Thank you ," I reply.

"Someone, please check on the bunkers and make sure everyone is accounted for.I'll also need a few of you to survey the island's and create a full report on the damages we endured and what repairs need to take place immediately.As for the Scarlett wolves, take their weapons, gather them all together and take them to receive medical treatment -"

There are a number of disgruntled growls in the crowd but Grayson puts his foot down and glares at them for their disobedience until the wolves fall silent.

"The war is over and we are not Scarlett Haven _," I snap, the wolves lowering their gaze in shame.

"We will treat these wolves with respect because we are Ravenstone and we are not cowards who harm those who are already down.They are to receive medical treatment, food, and will be left unbothered while I arrange a meeting with their King.Whatever grudges you hold against them, bury them now.Am I clear?"

"Yes, Alpha," they reply in unison, though I can tell not all are not pleased with my decision.

"Good, let’s get to work then ;’ Lreply, the wolves dispersing to complete their tasks.I stay a while to oversee their work and give orders whenever necessary.At first, it's awkward, but I quickly find a rhythm as a leader and grow comfortable handing out tasks.

"I have a few contacts with neutral packs that can arrange a meeting with King Arthur and Alpha Richard for the transfer of power," Toran offers.

"We can have this settled as early as tomorrow morning and get you home to your mate in time for her first shift."

"Thank you," I sign, Toran puffing out his chest with pride.

"My pleasure," he says via mind-link.

"You're doing well, by the way.Keep it up and you might just build your own mother pack in no time." I shake my head at him, the fear of Talia’s reaction to my new title filling my thoughts.

"You fear your mate may be angry with you for accepting my title,"

Toran observes, leading me towards the pack house.

"T-Talia has already been Luna and she w-was unhappy in h-her role," I say quietly.

"And you believe she will be unhappy by your side?" Toran asks and I nod silently.

He takes a deep breath and we walk in silence for a moment.

"Being a female leader in a male-dominated society is a challenge many fail to see," he finally says.

"Their voices are often drowned out by Alphas who talk over each other to see who is loudest.They are easily overlooked and often degraded simply because they are women and men know what’s best for their pack," he sighs.

"But failing to acknowledge a Luna’s power and importance more often than not leads to the downfall of a pack.I assume Talia’s experience as a Luna was soured by the lack of respect her Alpha had for her?" He asks and I nod.

"Then never forget to respect her.Listen to her opinions, take her advice when needed, give her a voice because the world will be hell bent on silencing hers.Make her your equal and you will always have a Luna willing to stand by your side.

"Rionna and I were a partnership.I never moved a finger without first consulting her and she reciprocated that trust.When there is mutual respect and shared responsibility, your pack grows stronger.Respect Talia and she will be proud to be your Luna."

"Perhaps you should take your own advice," Grayson says, taking over momentarily.

Toran raises an eyebrow in confusion at me.

"Aren’t you the man who handed his wife divorce papers based on an assumption?"

A sheepish smile spreads across Toran’s face and he looks ahead as we approach the pack house.

"I guess I am," Toran chuckles.

should listen to your wife before you

turning in his head as he rethinks his divorce.As

he says before running off to

twenty missed calls and at least thirty text messages from Talia.I hurriedly call her back and at the first

"Zane?" She whimpers.

you alright?

reply, hearing a

y-you and

not! Christian took Kota!" Talia cries, my breath hitching as my world suddenly goes

unsure if I

my voice, Toran stops

mall and he was playing at the play

took our baby!" she cries

breathe, Zane, he took my baby! He took my baby

her last words register in my ears.He dared touch my son? Grayson roars, his fur bristling

through gritted teeth, desperately fighting to contain the hatred coursing

no time for

my

"Y-you’re what?"

in Maine already," she

me here and I am on my way to Silver Crest now

say, shaking my head despite her being unable to

there on y-your own.Wh-what if it’s a trap

not alone,"

Jordan are with

equally upset that his wife has

snaps, a bit of resentment in

answer your phone! Kota is scared and alone with aman who’s completely lost his mind.I’m not going to sit here and wait for

just wait a few hours," I say back, hoping there’s a chance she may

plane to Maine and go with y-you.P-please,

I’ll be

needs me now.I’m not

"Ta-Talia-"

love you, Zane," she murmurs,

doesn’t answer, my distress soaring as I think of what that man will do to her when she inevitably breaks his delusion and

need to get on the f-first f-flight to Maine," I say,

jet

**Vanessa***

the time I finish signing the paperwork and he helps me clean up the mess

in the sink and have a dance party after finishing each chore to

fight where I let Kota defeat me in battle.The little boy asks to build a fort

framework, the door knob jingles.My heart rate soars as Jack steps into the house, a scowl on his face when he sees

stands in front of me, puffing out his chest and spreading out his little arms to shield me from Jack’s

you bully!" Kota

like you!" Jack smiles

starting to get on my

flaring his little nostrils at

wallet of his wedding

I’m not your

"Jack, please,"

behind me to shield

can’t expect him to love you right away when there’s another father figure in

have told him about

didn’t,"

you’re just a stranger with a picture.Try

eyes as he glares at the little boy, but a sinister smile curls on his lips that sends

daddy soon enough,"

Natalia, everything

what he might do to that pup, but the extent of his delusion worries me.I

asks as

with satisfaction

pages to make sure

says as he

were a good f**k,"

tears that spring to my eyes, and I am ashamed that his stupid

can wipe those crocodile tears, I’m not falling for your s**t," he snaps and I quickly

daughter, as a sister, as a f*****g woman, you were a disappointment and no matter how hard you try, you will always be a disappointment.Just look at you.You turned, got pregnant, and were still too weak to protect your own pup, meanwhile your sister was rejected, demoted, and still managed to give me an

I whimper, unable to

"Why?" he asks.

Why not face the fact that you are

get it,"

"I’m nothing."

should never forget your place in this world,

never ruin someone else’s life." He tosses a bag of clothes at my

you wanted. Get him dressed and put him to

as he storms away, finally collapsing on my knees when he slams the door shut

Nanessa," he whispers, patting my hair with his small

like you,"he