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.

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

he shouts, doing a happy

thing about making pancakes but I would figure it out if

take Kota into the kitchen and search the cupboards until I find a box of pancake mix with instructions on the

ingredients and mix them all up in a bowl until I get a

leave it for a while,

smell of burnt batter fills

griddle and flip the pancake,

at the hideous pancake and I scowl at him as I

this time flipping the pancake too early and spilling it into a shapeless mass all over the griddle.I want to give up but Kota seems to be

the batter again, waiting patiently until

trickles down my brow as I slide the spatula under the

for a second when the pancake flips perfectly, revealing a golden

howls in delight and I can't help but

up with his

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

a BLT and pray to Moon Goddess that she

snacks packed into small paper bags, I find a pen and notepad to write Talia a little note with her

for writing that, Grayson says as he troll my eyes and place it

hair tied up in a neat

my blush

meet his mother and kiss her good morning, Talia inspecting

a good job," she says nonchalantly, wiping some syrup off his

have to list you as a guardian at Kota's school, otherwise they won't let

to change into a t-shirt and jeans and comb my hair.By the time I finish, Talia has already placed

sighs, grabbing her keys and holding

and grab it

a moment

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

up and down my arms and I

might, she

wearing the gold While out shopping yesterday, I came across a jewelry store and saw the bracelet in the window

reminded me of the one my mother

it without a second thought, knowing such a pretty bracelet could only belong to

my heart soar to see her wear it like an

bracelet, Talia rolls her

to

"Can we go now?"

my thumb across the back of her

every so often to see a bird in the trees or to point at a snail on

walk is short as the daycare building is only two blocks from the house and before long, the sound of children playing in

the cheek before running to

my grip and leads me into the building

slender woman with thick spectacles

Talia smiles

to register a new guardian for Dakota," she says, pointing to

White." across it

the relationship of the gentleman to the

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

Mrs.Henry