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.

you should listen to your wife before you make decisions

reply but I can see the cogs turning in his head

nonstop, sir," he says before running off to

thirty text messages from Talia.I hurriedly call

"Zane?" She whimpers.

are you alright? Are

I-I’m fine," I reply, hearing a small sigh of relief

y-you

took Kota!" Talia cries, my breath

unsure if I heard her

the concern in my voice, Toran stops

he was playing at the play center.It was only a second and he took him!"

our baby!" she cries

he took my baby! He

terrifying snarl ripples through my chest when her last words register in my ears.He

ask through gritted teeth, desperately fighting to contain the hatred coursing through

no time for that,"

my way

"Y-you’re what?"

Maine already,"

here and I am on my way to

say, shaking my head despite her being unable to

dangerous to go there on y-your own.Wh-what if it’s a

not alone," Talia

Jordan

y-you?" I snap, Toran equally upset that his wife has been

to war," Talia snaps, a bit of resentment

what else to do and I couldn’t sit around waiting for you to 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,

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

I’ll be

me now.I’m not

"Ta-Talia-"

Zane," she murmurs, hanging up

think of what that man will do to her when she inevitably breaks his delusion and he

the f-first f-flight to Maine," I say, Toran sensing the

get the jet

**Vanessa***

 Kota wakes up by the time I finish signing the paperwork

and have a dance party after finishing each chore to

pillow fight where I let Kota defeat me in battle.The little boy asks

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

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

away, you bully!"

don’t like you!" Jack

you are really starting to get on my nerves, little man.I blame your mother for

flaring his

picture from his wallet of his wedding

still think I’m not

"Jack, please,"

Kota behind me to shield him

boy.He won’t understand your relationship with Natalia.He grew up without you.You can’t expect him to love you right away when there’s

told him about me!" Jack

she didn’t," I

just a stranger with a picture.Try to understand that he already has

but a sinister smile curls

call me daddy soon enough,"

Natalia, everything will

pup, but the extent of his delusion worries me.I just hope Talia is prepared for

signed?" Jack asks as

laughing with satisfaction as he snatches

pages to

solace," he says as

f**k,"

Natalia." I cannot help the tears that spring to my eyes,

falling for your s**t," he

didn’t know you were nothing compared to her.You are an utter failure, Nessa.As my Luna, as my wife, as a 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

whimper, unable to

"Why?" he asks.

the

get it,"

"I’m nothing."

should never forget your place in this world,

He tosses a bag of clothes at my

you wanted. Get him dressed and

as he storms away, finally collapsing on my knees when he slams the door shut behind him and leaves.Kota runs

whispers, patting

a meanie.I like you,"he says with