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 me with

he shouts, doing a happy dance and spinning

pancakes but I would figure it out if

Kota into the kitchen and search the cupboards until I find

up in a bowl until I get a

hands me cooking spray so the pour out the batter.I leave it for a while, searching

the smell of burnt batter fills

panic, I rush to the griddle and flip the pancake, revealing a charred

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

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

a few deep breaths, I pour out the batter again, waiting patiently until the

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

the pancake flips perfectly, revealing a golden

and howls in delight and I can't help

serve 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 just in case

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

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

small paper bags, I find a pen

Grayson says as he troll my eyes and place it in her

with her hair tied

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

and kiss her good morning, Talia inspecting my

says nonchalantly, wiping some syrup off

to list you as a guardian at Kota's school, otherwise they

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

her keys and

see her lunch on the counter and grab it

at it for a

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

tingle up and down my arms and I feel her

might, she could

wearing the gold While out shopping yesterday,

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

second thought, knowing such

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

staring at the bracelet, Talia

me to wear

"Can we go now?"

to agitate her anymore, I run my thumb across the back of her hand and pull

mother, pausing every so often to see a bird in the trees or to point at a snail on the

house and before long, the sound of

absentmindedly on the cheek before running to the playground to join

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

tall, slender woman

Talia smiles

new guardian

White." across it and begins filling out a small

the relationship of

Mrs.Henry asks.

Talia's smile widens.

new housekeeper and nanny." Mrs.Henry