The Silent Alpha

***Natalia*** 

"Now it's just you and me," I smile at Zane, the wolf staring at me with anxious eyes.

"Relax," I chuckle.

"I don’t bite."

The nervous look never leaves his eyes as I drag him back to the park.

During the first part of our date with Kota, I watched Zane carefully, noticing how excited he got over such simple things like Dippin Dots or the disco music that was playing during the rides.

It’s obvious this is his first time seeing an amusement park before, leaving me to wonder what else he had yet to experience.I take him to the nearest roller coaster, explaining to him the thrill of dropping and rising ona train.

He doesn’t seem convinced by my explanation, but he nonetheless humors me and gets on the train.

There’s a slight hint of fear in Zane’s eyes as the ride operator locks us into our seats, the automated announcements telling us to keep our arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.I reach out to hold Zane’s hand and comfort him, interlocking our fingers to let him know we were going to be okay.

The train shoots out of the station, Zane’s eyes widening as we rush down a track, making a sudden sharp turn and climbing up the first hill.

"Hold on tight!" I squeal, growing excited for the drop.

The anticipation grows as the entire park shrinks before our eyes, the sun setting off in the horizon.

The pretty view distracts Zane temporarily before we reach the apex and look down at the drop.

"Oh f**k,"

Someone behind us shouts before we race down the hill, a camera flashing as we zoom past it territied and amused by the sharp turns and sudden drops.

A huge grin is plastered on his face when we get off and I can tell he wants to ride again.

We make our way to the photo booth at the end of the ride, and I laugh my butt off when I see our picture.

I’m smiling like a lunatic with my arms raised in the air while Zane has a look of absolute terror, his eyes and mouth wide open in fright.

"I'm buying it," I giggle, Zane’s ears turning red in embarrassment.

"And I’m going to frame it." He shakes his head in horror, as if willing me not to buy it but I give him a stern look.

"This is a picture of your very first roller coaster," I sigh.

"And I want to remember being the one who shared that moment with you."

His entire face turns redder than a tomato, the edges of his lips slightly curving up in a little smile.

Satisfied that I can now keep the picture, I hand the money to the clerk and receive two copies of our photo.

"Hehe, now I get to remember the look on your face forever," I tease him, shoving the pictures in my purse before he can take them from me.

We go on a few more roller coasters, Zane nervous about each one but coming out of each ride with a contagious smile on his lips.I spot a cotton candy stand and buy two big clouds of cotton for each of us, Zane staring at the large pink cloud with a puzzled look on his face.

"Open your mouth," I laugh, tearing off a piece of his cotton.

Zane hesitantly follows my orders, slowly hanging his mouth open.

"Now, stick your tongue out."

He once again does as he’s told and I place the little cotton fluff on his tongue, his eyes lighting up like a child at Christmas as the candy melts in his mouth, leaving the sugar taste in its wake lutty from my candy.

He holds it out to me and I raise an eyebrow at him.

"You want to feed me?" l ask.

He turns bright red again and lowers his gaze in shame, guilt quickly filling my mind.

Jeez, Talia, why are you such a b***h? I scold myself, opening my mouth and leaning in close to him.

His hand shakes a little as he deposits the little fluff in my mouth, the sugar spreading across my tastebuds.He smiles nervously so I offer hima smile in return and wiggle my eyebrows to ease the awkward tension between us.

"We should try the Ferris wheel," I suggest, pulling him towards the giant wheel at the end of the park.

A young operator greets us and lets us into the little cage, Zane gripping onto the sides when it begins to rock upon our ascension.

"Relax, wolf," I chuckle.

"It's supposed to rock a little.Just sit back and enjoy the view."

Almost as if on cue, we reach the top of the Ferris wheel overlooking the entire park, his breath hitching when he sees the incredible view.

"It’s pretty, isn’t it?"

sigh, looking up at the glittering stars

up here for

gaze settle on me and I turn to look at him, my face flushing when I

back in our seats and

stretching his arms out

my laughter when he carefully drapes his arm behind my seat, knowing his face is

no real harm in indulging him on his

my heart growing heavy knowing he is likely suffering from trauma like the

eyes for fear that I might actually cave

Kota so happy.That’s the best gift anyone could have ever

up at his side, allowing him

warm and strong, and for a brief moment, I allow myself

first, the idea is calming, bringing me a sense of comfort knowing Kota would have a dad to look up to...but as with every potential partner I take interest in, the looming fear of

just fine,

struggle to give him one? Will he find someone else, leaving

the thought lingering in the back of my mind serving as a gentle

Zane after all, and it is best I practice caution before diving in headfirst

me, and I text Aurora to let her know that we’re ready to

the portal opening to a candlelit picnic by

the last of the candles set up ona large stone that will be serving

enough candles, Aurora,"

"They’re already here."

hushes him, turning to

and dishes scattered around it.A basket with a delicious scent coming from it sits in the middle of the blanket,

the picnic, the lake providing a pretty backdrop

all of this?" I ask, wondering how much planning

taking my hand and leading me to the stone

cutleries, producing

pulls out containers of fruits, cheeses, macaroni salads, sandwiches,

eat, as if to see if I’m enjoying

delicious," I say as I finish up my

He slowly spells out Agnes’s name with his fingers and I mentally pat myself

my signs over the past few days

then I need this recipe because

little in pride at my compliment to his mother, bringing a tiny smile to my face.I like that his relationship with his mother

silence once again takes over and we both awkwardly pick at

up a conversation with a man who does not speak and I find myself

only real way we can: by laying all of our cards out on the

to catch his attention and put away my

carefully wiping my wine glass

"Christian," I sigh.

***Zanet** 

not sure what

tall, very handsome,"

you've ever met.Practically

cold shiver runs

through my veins but I am far

clear that lam no Alpha, reminding everyday just

disappointment to her should

take an interest in a girl

a loner or anything like that," she says with

definitely not his type. Guess I’m still not his

doesn’t reach her eyes and she goes a

thing to wrap my head around but it made a little sense.It explained why I felt like I was home with him.Like he was my

idea of another man ever claiming her as his but I shove him to the back of my mind, reminding him that we did not have a

for 2

entire pack that I was Capable of leading them despite being a human.I did the best that I could but, in the end, Christian wasn’t very happy with me.He needed an heir and

away

her chest, the thick scent of

marriage struggling to get pregnant, doing everything I could

spits through gritted teeth, holding back the more tears desperately wanting to spill onto her

Christain took matters into his own

balling up her

deep breath, I concentrate on the walls I built, letting her thoughts and memories trickle into my

a bed together flickers in my head, and I watch in

thrusts, the woman moaning louder as she

you my Luna,"

snarls at the memory as I realize Talia’s mate had

quickly crawl up behind her, pulling her onto my lap to wipe the tears that finally spilled onto her cheeks in hopes of comforting

cheated," She whispers,

didn’t say a word to me about it.They lied

protect their Luna but they lied to me! They lied.Wolves