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.

instead playing with his hands and grinning happily at

happy dance

about making pancakes but I would figure it out

cupboards until I find a box of pancake mix with instructions

them all up in a bowl until I get a nice

me cooking spray so the pour out the batter.I leave it for a while, searching the cabinets for Kota's plates

burnt

griddle and flip the pancake, revealing a charred

at the hideous pancake and I scowl at him as I toss it in

again, 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 amused by my lack of cooking skills and

pour out the batter again,

of sweat trickles down my brow as I slide the spatula under the pancake

stops for a second when the pancake flips perfectly, revealing

and howls in delight and I can't help but bow for

with his approval.I make a few more pancakes for Talia just in case she wishes

his and Talia's lunch, cutting up fruit,

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

their sandwiches and snacks packed into small paper bags, I find a pen and notepad

going to kill you for writing that, Grayson says as he troll my eyes and place it in her lunch anyways, knowing she would hate

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

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

rushes to meet his mother and kiss her good morning,

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

though.I have to list you as a guardian

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

She sighs, grabbing her keys and holding

on the counter and grab it as I pass by

it for a moment before reluctantly taking

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

down my arms and I feel her

she could not ignore our

wearing the gold While out shopping yesterday, I

my mother used to wear when

such a pretty bracelet could only

wear it like an informal mark claiming

at the bracelet,

me to

"Can we go now?"

my thumb across the back of her hand

walk, Kota hums as he skips happily beside his mother, pausing every so often to see a bird

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

on the cheek

pulls her hand from my grip

tall, slender woman

Talia

guardian for Dakota," she

Zane White." across it and begins filling out a

of

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

nanny." Mrs.Henry lowers her spectacles and