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.

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

shouts, doing a happy dance and spinning his

making pancakes

and search the cupboards until I find a box of pancake

up in a bowl until I

out the batter.I leave it for a while, searching the cabinets for Kota's plates and cups sol can pour

burnt batter fills my

the griddle and flip the pancake, revealing

laughter at the hideous pancake and I scowl

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

breaths, I pour out the batter again, waiting

my brow as I slide the spatula under the pancake and lift up

a second when the pancake

cheers and howls in delight and I can't

giving me a thumbs up with his approval.I make a few more pancakes for Talia

and Talia's lunch, cutting up fruit, slicing up cheese, and

BLT and pray to Moon Goddess that she won't throw it in my

I find a pen and notepad to write Talia a little note with her

my eyes and place it in her

suddenly strolls in, looking absolutely beautiful with her hair tied up in a neat ponytail and her face made

my eyes to the ground to keep her from seeing my blush and force

mother and kiss her good

did a good job," she says nonchalantly, wiping some syrup

though.I have to list you as a guardian

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 sink and

go," She sighs, grabbing her

her lunch on the counter and grab it as I pass

a moment

hand to me, refusing to meet my

sparks tingle up and down my arms

as she might, she could not ignore

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

my mother used to wear when

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

see her wear it like an informal mark claiming her

staring at the bracelet, Talia rolls her

me to wear it," She

"Can we go now?"

anymore, I run my thumb across the back of

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

from the house and before long, the sound of children playing in the playground fills the warm summer

kiss his mom absentmindedly on the cheek before running

pulls her hand from my grip and leads me into the building

a tall, slender woman with thick

Mrs.Henry," Talia

a new guardian for Dakota," she says,

name is Zane White." across it

is the relationship of the gentleman to the

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

nanny." Mrs.Henry lowers her spectacles