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

pertains to her

in confusion, but he does not question Evan and grabs Kota

pack house, Kota yawning heavily in Zane’s arms as we make our way to

of the

the room, I notice Agnes grow tense, her hands instinctively grabbing Zane’s bicep and pushing both him and I behind her

as she holds her defensive

and to the side, his graying hairs the only

by two thick brows that make the gray in

and there is even a hint of a dimple on

with an air of dominance surrounding him.He must be an Alpha, I tell myself as he eyes our family

Zane," he says verbally in a

is, but it

towards the exit as if she were afraid of

know your name," the man apologizes to me, a small smile on his

man repeating it

"Pleasure," the man says.

"I am Toran.Toran Ravenstone.”

***Janet** 

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

has caused all of my nightmares for the past 20

chest when I hold Kota

wish to harm your family," Toran explains when he notices my

for your father.Please have a seat.We have much to

to tell him

see my past, so why then, has she let "There's

head, walking over to Toran and gently placing her

going to want to see this," Aurora pleads, gesturing to

we talk." The gamma takes Kota from my arms, promising to play with

trust that Toran won’t try to hurt my family.He is, afterall, the root cause of

not much I can do to make you trust me, is there?" Toran sighs,

I hate to admit it, has always 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 get your uncle and I out of all kinds of

you killed him...Grayson growls.Best

sides to a story.You knew

adds, pointing to the

sit.If, after you hear me out, you want nothing to do with me, I will leave you in peace.Alpha’s honor," he says, placing his hand over his

family to the dining table, pulling Talia’s

as she fights to calm herself down.She flinches when I reach

me for

a different man the last

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

a member of Ravenstone...until I sent her to you," he says quietly, shock washing over my

for words at the revelation and I look at the woman who has watched over me for the last 20 years as

said," Toran sighs

only know one side of this story." He suddenly sits

like to see the truth behind this wicked war?" I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to see the mind

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

see the truth,"

"You’ll understand better."

"You can do this,"

trickle towards me like a small stream until it starts flowing like a roaring river and I

me a moment to calm myself down

giggling echoing off in the distance and I

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

with my young uncle Cyrus, cracking jokes in a room

marble floors glisten under the lights and everyone

wearing a blue gown

I cannot make out who she is looking at.She raises her glass at Cyrus

her doesn’t make you the Fated Pair," Cyrus whispers in Toran’s

aware," Toran

matter.I really like her and I think we will make a decent

about this though?" Cyrus

"You’d be you."