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.

with his hands and grinning happily at me with no judgment

a happy

thing about making pancakes but I would figure it out if

until I

collect all the necessary ingredients and mix them all up in a bowl

double burner griddle on the stove and Kota hands me cooking spray so the pour out the batter.I leave it for a while, searching the cabinets for

smell of burnt

to the griddle and

into laughter at the hideous pancake and I scowl

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

pour out the batter again, waiting patiently until the big

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

second when the pancake flips perfectly,

and I can't

him my perfect pancake and he eats it gingerly, giving me a thumbs up with his approval.I make a few more pancakes for Talia

cutting up fruit, slicing up cheese, and making Kota a small PB&J

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

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

and place it in her lunch anyways, knowing she would hate

looking absolutely beautiful with her hair tied up in a neat ponytail and her

force my eyes to the ground to keep her from seeing my blush and force myself to focus on anything else to slow

and kiss her good morning, Talia inspecting

she says nonchalantly, wiping

list you as a guardian at

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 the sink and stuffed

her keys and holding Kota's

on the counter and grab it as I pass by before handing it to

it for a moment before

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

my arms and I feel her shiver

as she might, she could not ignore our

While out shopping yesterday,

the one my mother used to wear

second thought, knowing such a pretty bracelet could only belong to

soar to see her wear it like an informal mark claiming her as

at the bracelet, Talia rolls her eyes at

to wear it," She

"Can we go now?"

I run my thumb across the back of her hand and pull her

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 snail on the

and before long,

the cheek before running to the playground

pulls her hand from my grip and leads

slender woman with thick spectacles

Talia smiles

new guardian for Dakota," she says,

it and

relationship of the gentleman to

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

and nanny." Mrs.Henry lowers her spectacles and glances