The Silent Alpha

***Talia*** 

Zane is exceedingly quiet during dinner, his mind likely still reeling from the events of this afternoon.

Upon entering the office earlier today, Aurora’s voice popped into my head, warning me to not believe a word the visitors said, especially not the young Alpha named Caine.

"He lies," she whispered before flooding my mind with a sickly scene of a woman attempting to seduce Zane but failing and claiming he raped her.

She then showed me his torture at the hands of his brother.

It was a lot of information to process at the time, but I knew my mate was innocent even before Aurora revealed the events to me.

Zane would never harm anyone.He is a man who has seen the ugly side of people, and a man who has faced rejection after rejection.

Despite all of his pain, however, he is never cruel.He is kind and patient, loving and nurturing, strong and beautiful.He is a man worth fighting for...and I will fight for him until the very end.

Agnes also seems to sense his anxiousness and attempts to sign with him but he shakes his head at her and does not respond, keeping whatever turmoil he’s feeling to himself.

It makes me angry to think his former Gamma would even try to take him back. How dare he set foot in River Moon and try to guilt trip him into fighting? "Mommy, why is Daddy sad?"

Kota whispers to me as he stuffs the last bite of his pastelitos (Salvadoran turnovers) in his mouth.

"He had a really rough day," I reply, pushing away his hair and kissing his forehead.

"He just needs some time alone."

Kota wipes his hands and curiously stares at Zane who seems lost in his own thoughts as he picks at his food.

Without a word, Kota climbs off his chair, bouncing on his toes as he walks to my mate, stopping just before his chair and resting his chin on the arm rest.

"Can we build a fort, Daddy?" Kota asks.

Kota’s voice startles Zane for a moment but he quickly composes himself and picks up our son, setting him down on his lap.

No words are exchanged as Zane holds Kota in his arms, his hand gently cradling Kota’s head and massaging his scalp.

After many years of being alone, it is a beautiful sight to see a man hold my baby with so much love and care, as if he were his own.

It is a comforting thought to know Kota will be loved not only by Gwen and I, but by Agnes and Zane as well.

Should something ever happen to me, Kota will always have a family.

"Kota, time for a bath," I tell him, Kota shaking his head at me.

"Zane will build your fort and we can come join him when It is only after Zane gives him a stern look that Kota finally climbs off his lap and begrudgingly follows me up stairs for a bath.”

When we return downstairs, Zane is far more relaxed, having tucked away his emotions as he and Agnes adjust the last of the bed sheets over some chairs.

"D-done," he smiles nervously as I carry Kota in for an inspection of the fort.

Satisfied with Zane and Agnes’ construction skills, Kota scrambles inside, burying himself under a pile of pillows and blankets.

"Can you read me a story?" he asks Zane, patting the space beside him.

Before anyone can answer, however, the sound of a knock at the door startles all of us.I hand Zane the book and answer the door, finding Evan waiting outside.

He smiles sheepishly, shifting his weight on his feet.

"I know it’s late...but there’s another visitor here for Zane," Evan sighs.

Why could they not just leave him alone? I wonder, shaking my head disapprovingly.

"Can this wait until morning?" I ask, stealing a glance at Agnes and my mate currently trying to entertain Kota.

"Zane’s not done processing today’s earlier visit and the last thing he needs is more drama.Tell whoever it is to leave him alone."

"I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t urgent," Evan responds.

"Hesitation makes my fingers itch to slam the door in Evan’s face and run to hide Zane away from everyone, but I know these foolish thoughts will do us no good.It is best to get this over with now, so I step aside and let Evan in while I ask Zane to instruct Agnes to put Kota to bed.

Agnes should come along too,"

pertains

brows in confusion, but he does not question Evan

house, Kota yawning heavily in Zane’s arms

Aurora and Oliver already sitting at the head of the

tense, her hands instinctively grabbing Zane’s bicep and

her defensive stance, the man turning around to

to the side, his graying hairs the only real indication

two thick brows that make the gray in his irises

sculpted jawline and there is even a hint of a dimple on his

is quite handsome with an air of dominance surrounding him.He must be an Alpha,

he says verbally in a voice

is, but it becomes apparent Agnes does...and she

afraid of the man getting any closer.He

do not yet know your name," the man apologizes

man repeating it to

"Pleasure," the man says.

"I am Toran.Toran Ravenstone.”

***Janet** 

I am facing the man who destroyed whatever semblance of a family I

has caused all of my nightmares

when I hold Kota a little

do not wish to harm your family," Toran explains

anger is reserved solely for your father.Please have

is nothing to discuss, I want to tell him

see my past, so why then, has she let "There's more to this story than you

over to Toran and gently

want to see

Evan.He will watch over him while we talk." The gamma

Toran won’t try to hurt my family.He is, afterall, the root cause of all my pain, the reason my mother and brother are

trust me, is there?" Toran sighs, settling back down on his

been a very cunning man, even in childhood.He knew how to...how to twist the truth in just the right way that you would never think to doubt him.He used to

you killed him...Grayson growls.Best friend of the year!

two sides to a story.You knew your father’s.It’s time you

adds, pointing to

me out, you want nothing to do with me, I will leave you

honor...my family to the dining table, pulling Talia’s chair

me, her hands trembling as she fights to calm herself down.She flinches when I reach for

fears me for good reason," Toran

a different man the last time

a moment, wondering how on earth they could have met each other, but Toran

of Ravenstone...until I sent her to you," he says quietly, shock

and I look at the woman who has watched over

I said," Toran sighs

side of this story." He

are able to project memories.Would you like to see the truth behind this wicked war?" I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to see the mind of a

it is.Thank you for that, I respond, my eyes flickering to

see the

"You’ll understand better."

"You can do this,"

on my Taking in a deep breath, I let down a wall, allowing Toran’s thoughts to trickle towards me like a small stream until it starts flowing like a roaring river and I find

me a moment to calm myself

the sound of giggling echoing off in the distance and I follow it until a sudden flash of bright light blinds

open and like a movie projector, images take shape on the table for everyone to

my young uncle Cyrus, cracking jokes in

under the lights and everyone

wearing a

in her eyes is tender and loving, although I cannot make out who she is looking at.She raises her glass at Cyrus and

make you the Fated Pair," Cyrus whispers in Toran’s ears, Toran roaring with

aware," Toran replies, smiling to

really like her and I think we

about this though?" Cyrus

"You’d be you."