The Silent Alpha

 ***Jane*** 

I gasp in fright when I wake up to a bucket of cold water being tossed on my face, Natalia smirking triumphantly at me as she stands by the side of the bed . I wipe the water from my eyes and realize it's 6:45 am.

"Wake up sleepy head," She chirps, already showered and dressed in a pair of teal medical scrubs.

"You have to wake up the gremlin and get him ready for school today." I feel like a ton of bricks are sitting on my chest, my body still exhausted from the lack of sleep.I could not complain, however, knowing I had gotten away with murder by sharing the bed with her.

With great effort, I climb out of bed, my t-shirt clinging to my wet chest.

Talia giggles hysterically as I waddle past her, a part of me happy to see her having fun, even at my expense.

I head for the bathroom first to wipe off the water and brush my teeth before I waddle down the hall until I find Kota's room.

There’s no response when I knock on the door so I slowly turn the knob and tip toe inside.I find Kota curled up in a ball, his dinosaur pajamas messily clinging to his tiny body.I sit on his bed and push back his hair, exposing his forehead.

He sleeps so peacefully, it feels like a crime to wake is it in silence for a moment, letting him enjoy a few more moments of blissful sleep.I could not explain why, but he made me feel so safe with just his presence, like nothing could disturb us.

He stirs slightly as I stroke his hair and even curls up closer to me.

Remembering my task however, I decide it's time to wake him.I tap his shoulder and his cheeks but the boy only groans and swats at my hand.

Looking around the room to ensure we are truly alone, I lean close to his ear.

My mouth hangs open for a second before I finally find my voice.

"K-Kota," I hiss, feeling my heart race in fear Talia would come in and hear me speak.

I tap his cheek frantically.

"K-Kota.P-please wa-wake up..."

"Five more minutes," he groans, squeezing his eyes tightly.

Unsure what else to do, I wiggle my fingers down his sides and he screams with laughter, kicking his legs about.He writhes against the tickles until he finally sits up.

"G-good morning, K-Kota," I whisper so quietly, he doesn't hear me over his own laughter.

"Hi, Zane!" he laughs, cupping my cheeks in his small hands.

He squishes my face, genuinely happy to see me and throws his head back in laughter.

"Hi, Zane!" I stare at his pretty eyes and feel my body relax.

"H-hi K-Kota."

"H-hi," chuckle, ruffling up his hair.

"Hi!" he squeals, jumping into my lap.

I find his game amusing and carry on for another 10 hellos before I throw the pup over my shoulder and take him to the bathroom.I help him wash his face, brush his teeth for him, and even put together a simple outfit that I hope is to Talia's liking.

He insists on combing his own hair but as I watch him struggle, he finally hands me the comb and lets me comb his hair.

Pleased with my work, I crouch down to his level and offer him a toothy grin that he reciprocates.

"w-what wo-would you like for bre- break- breakfast?" I ask him, my cheeks flushing at my severe stutter.

mind to my imperfect speech, instead playing with his hands and grinning happily at me with no judgment in his blue and brown

happy

please!". I don’t know the first thing about making pancakes but I would figure it out

the cupboards until I find a box

all the necessary ingredients and mix them all up in a bowl until I

cooking spray so the pour out the batter.I leave it

smell of burnt batter fills

griddle and flip the pancake, revealing

at the hideous pancake and I scowl at him as

and spilling it into a shapeless mass all over the griddle.I want to give up but Kota seems to be amused by my lack of cooking skills and I

the batter again, waiting patiently until the big

slide the spatula under the

stops for a second when the pancake flips perfectly, revealing

delight and I can't

gingerly, giving me a thumbs up with his

get to work packing his and Talia's lunch, cutting up fruit, slicing up

a BLT and pray to Moon Goddess that she

and snacks packed into small paper bags, I find a pen and notepad to write

Grayson says as he troll my eyes and place it in her lunch anyways, knowing she would hate me no matter

with her hair tied up in a neat ponytail and her

keep her from seeing my blush and force myself to focus on anything else to

meet his mother and kiss her good

she says nonchalantly, wiping some syrup off

you as a guardian at Kota's school, otherwise they won't let you take

change into a t-shirt and jeans and comb my hair.By the time I finish, Talia has already placed Kota's dishes in the

She sighs, grabbing her keys and

lunch on the counter and grab it as I pass by before handing it

a moment

nervously at her feet and sticks out her hand to me, refusing to meet my eyes.I gulp, wiping

sparks tingle up and down my arms and I feel her

she might, she could not ignore

still wearing the gold While out shopping yesterday, I came across a jewelry store and

one my mother used to wear when I was a

without a second thought, knowing such a

her wear it like an informal

bracelet, Talia

to wear

"Can we go now?"

to agitate her anymore, I run my thumb across the back of her hand and pull

mother, pausing every so often to see a bird in the trees

two blocks from the house and before

on the cheek before running to the playground

from my grip and leads me into the building to the

woman with thick spectacles greets

Mrs.Henry," Talia smiles

new guardian

it and begins filling out a

of the

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

Mrs.Henry lowers her