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.

listen to your wife before you make decisions for her," Grayson says

she’s more willing to forgive than you think.Toran doesn’t reply but I can see the cogs turning in his head as

nonstop, sir," he says before running off

messages from Talia.I hurriedly call her back and at the first

"Zane?" She whimpers.

are you alright? Are

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

y-you and K-Kota

Christian took Kota!" Talia cries, my breath hitching as my world suddenly

unsure if I

voice,

at the play center.It was only a second and he took

our baby!" she cries

can’t breathe, Zane, he took my baby! He took my baby

her last words register in my ears.He dared touch my

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

no time for that," Talia

my

"Y-you’re what?"

Maine

on my way to Silver Crest now to get

head despite her being

y-your own.Wh-what if it’s a trap

alone,"

Jordan

my mother with y-you?" I snap, Toran equally upset that his wife

to war," Talia snaps, a bit of

me.I didn’t know what else to do and I couldn’t sit around waiting for you to answer your phone! Kota is scared

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

be on the first plane to Maine and go with

be careful,"

needs me now.I’m not waiting for you.Please

"Ta-Talia-"

love you, Zane," she murmurs, hanging

as I think of what that man will do to her

f-flight

jet ready for

**Vanessa***

time I finish signing the paperwork and he helps me clean

dance party after finishing

little boy asks to build a fort and we gather our supplies from the bedroom to construct it

soars as

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

you bully!" Kota

like you!" Jack

on my nerves, little

flaring his

out a picture from his wallet of his wedding with Talia

still think I’m not your daddy?" He

"Jack, please,"

me to

just a little 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

told him about me!"

didn’t,"

you’re just a stranger with a picture.Try to understand that he already has someone he

through Jack’s green eyes as he glares at the little boy, but a sinister

me daddy soon enough," he

marry Natalia, everything will sort

don’t respond for fear of what he might do to that pup, but the extent of his delusion worries me.I just hope

signed?" Jack asks as he turns to search

table," I nod, Jack laughing with satisfaction as he snatches them

snickers, flicking through the pages to make sure they are

he says as

f**k," he adds with

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

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

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

I whimper, unable to bear his assault

"Why?" he asks.

from the truth? Why not face the fact that you are a waste

I get it,"

"I’m nothing."

forget your place in this world, Nessa,"

life." He tosses a bag of clothes at my feet and the

s**t you wanted. Get him dressed and put him

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

cry, Nanessa," he whispers, patting my

like