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.

imperfect speech, instead playing with his hands and grinning happily at

shouts, doing a happy dance

know the first thing about making pancakes but I would figure it out

take Kota into the kitchen and search the cupboards until I find a box of pancake mix with instructions on

the necessary ingredients and mix them all up in a bowl until I get a nice thin batter

so the pour out the batter.I leave it for a

burnt

to the griddle and flip the pancake, revealing

hideous pancake and I scowl at him as

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

the batter

brow as I slide the

for a second when the pancake flips

delight and

perfect pancake and he eats it gingerly, giving me a thumbs up with his

lunch, cutting up fruit, slicing up cheese, and making

BLT and pray to Moon Goddess that

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

he troll my eyes and place it in her lunch anyways, knowing she would hate me no matter

hair tied up in a neat ponytail and

my blush and force myself to focus on anything else to

and kiss her good morning, Talia inspecting my

a good job," she says

list you as a guardian at

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

her keys and holding Kota's

it as I pass

it for a moment before reluctantly

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

up and down my arms and I

she could

I can’t help but notice she’s still wearing the gold While out shopping yesterday, I came across a jewelry store and saw the bracelet in the

my mother used to wear

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

see her wear it

staring at the bracelet,

asked me to wear

"Can we go now?"

I run my thumb across the back of her

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

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

absentmindedly on the cheek before running to

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

tall, slender woman with thick

Talia smiles

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

White." across it and begins

relationship of the

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

housekeeper and nanny." Mrs.Henry lowers her spectacles