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.

and grinning happily at me

shouts, doing a happy dance and

don’t know the first thing about making pancakes but I would figure it out if it killed

the kitchen and search the cupboards until I find a box of pancake mix with instructions

the necessary ingredients and mix them all up in

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

the smell of burnt

rush to the griddle and flip the pancake, revealing a charred black

hideous pancake and I scowl at him

too early and spilling it into a shapeless mass all over the griddle.I want to give up but Kota

few deep breaths, I pour out the

trickles down my brow as I slide the spatula

for a second when the pancake flips perfectly,

in delight and I can't

with his approval.I make

up fruit, slicing up cheese, and

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

paper bags, I find a pen and notepad to

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

hair tied up in a neat ponytail and her

blush and force myself to focus on anything else to slow

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

job," she says nonchalantly, wiping

better get going though.I have to list you as a guardian at Kota's school,

jeans and comb my hair.By the time I finish, Talia has already placed Kota's dishes

her keys and holding

counter and grab it as I pass by before handing it

it for a moment before

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

tingle up and down my arms and I feel

she could not ignore our

out shopping yesterday, I

the one my mother used to wear

bought it without a second thought, knowing such a

her wear it like an informal

bracelet, Talia rolls her eyes

to wear it," She

"Can we go now?"

my thumb across the back of her hand and pull her

his mother, pausing every so often to

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

to kiss his mom absentmindedly on the cheek before running to the playground to join

pulls her hand from my grip and leads

tall, slender woman with

Mrs.Henry," Talia

to register a new guardian for Dakota," she

is Zane White." across it

of the gentleman

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

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