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

pertains to her

his brows in confusion, but he does not

follow Evan to the pack house, Kota yawning heavily in Zane’s

sitting at the head of the table while a mysterious man sits with his back facing

instinctively grabbing

as she holds her defensive stance,

up and to the side, his graying hairs the only real indication

are framed by two thick brows

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

surrounding him.He must be an Alpha, I tell

says verbally in a voice

to know who he is, but it becomes apparent Agnes does...and she does not like

the exit as if she were afraid of the man getting any closer.He only chuckles softly to himself and steps

do not yet know your name," the man apologizes to me,

man repeating it to

"Pleasure," the man says.

"I am Toran.Toran Ravenstone.”

***Janet** 

I am facing the man who destroyed whatever semblance

who has caused all of

in Toran’s chest when I hold Kota

to harm your family," Toran explains when he notices

father.Please have a seat.We have

is nothing to discuss, I want to tell

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

in my head, walking over to Toran and gently placing her hand on

to want to see

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

I find it difficult to trust that Toran won’t try to hurt my family.He is, afterall, the root cause of all my pain, the reason my mother

make you trust me, is there?" Toran sighs, settling back down

cunning man, even in childhood.He knew how to...how to twist the truth in just the

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

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

adds, pointing to the

want nothing to do with me, I will leave

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

down besides me, her hands trembling as she fights to calm

fears me for good

was a different man the last

moment, wondering how on earth they could

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

a loss for words at the revelation and I look at the woman who

I said," Toran

this story." He suddenly sits

Majesty tells me you are able to project memories.Would you like to see the truth behind this wicked war?" I don’t

messed up as 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,"

murmurs, resting her chin 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 myself almost drowning

me a moment to calm myself down until the memories sort

in the distance and I follow it until a sudden flash of bright

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

with my young uncle Cyrus, cracking jokes in a room full of people dressed lavishly in

glisten under the lights and

across the room, a beautiful woman wearing a blue gown and tiara smiles innocently in their

is tender and loving, although I cannot make out who she is

Fated Pair," Cyrus whispers in Toran’s

fully aware," Toran replies, smiling

her and I think we will

about this though?" Cyrus

"You’d be you."