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

doing a happy

I don’t know the first thing about making pancakes but I

take Kota into the kitchen and search the cupboards until I find a box of

and mix them all up in a bowl until I

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

the smell of burnt batter

and flip the pancake, revealing

pancake and I scowl at him as I

try 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

pour out the batter again, waiting patiently

down my brow as I slide the spatula under the

stops for a second when the pancake

cheers and howls in delight and I can't help but

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

eats, I get to work packing his and Talia's lunch, cutting up fruit, slicing up cheese, and making

to Moon Goddess that she won't

I find a pen and notepad to write Talia a little

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

in, looking absolutely beautiful with her hair tied

blush and force myself to focus on anything else to slow my

meet his mother and kiss her good morning, Talia inspecting my

job," she says nonchalantly, wiping some syrup

going though.I have to list you as a guardian at Kota's

hint 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 placed Kota's dishes in

sighs, grabbing her

see her lunch on the counter and grab it as

it for a moment before

refusing to meet my eyes.I gulp, wiping my clammy hand on my jeans

up and down my arms and I feel her shiver against

as she might, she could not

leave, I can’t help but notice she’s still wearing the gold While out shopping

reminded me of the one my mother used to wear when I was

knowing such a

my heart soar to see her wear it like an informal mark claiming

me staring at the bracelet, Talia rolls her

asked me to wear it," She

"Can we go now?"

to agitate her anymore, I run my thumb across the back

walk, Kota hums as he skips happily beside his mother, pausing every so often to see a bird in the trees or to point at a

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

his mom absentmindedly on the cheek

pulls her hand from my grip and leads me into

slender woman with thick spectacles greets

Mrs.Henry," Talia smiles

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

across it and begins filling out a small

is the relationship of the gentleman

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

he's the new housekeeper and nanny." Mrs.Henry lowers