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

this pertains to

does not question Evan and grabs Kota

yawning heavily in Zane’s

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

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

holds her defensive stance, the man turning

hair is well groomed and combed up and to the side, his graying hairs the only real indication of his

brows that

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

him.He must be an Alpha, I tell myself as he eyes our

Zane," he says verbally in a

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

were afraid of the man getting any closer.He only chuckles softly

the man apologizes

I reply, the man repeating

"Pleasure," the man says.

"I am Toran.Toran Ravenstone.”

***Janet** 

escapes my lips as I realize I am facing the

who has caused all of my

hold Kota a little tighter and pull

your family," Toran

reserved solely for your father.Please have

to tell him

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

over to Toran and gently placing

see this,"

watch over him while we talk." The gamma takes Kota from my arms, promising to

try to hurt my family.He is, afterall, the root cause of all my

much I can do to make you trust me, is there?" Toran sighs,

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

you killed him...Grayson growls.Best

two sides to a story.You knew

adds, pointing to the

me, I will leave you in

have any honor...my family to the dining table, pulling

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

fears me for good reason,"

a different man the last time we

for a moment, wondering how on earth they could have

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

for words at the revelation and I look at the woman who has watched over me for

I said," Toran

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

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

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

deserve to see

"You’ll understand better."

"You can do this,"

to trickle towards me like a small stream until

takes me a moment to calm myself down

giggling echoing off in the distance and

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

young Toran laughs with my young uncle Cyrus, cracking jokes in a room full of people dressed lavishly in ball gowns and

the lights and everyone holds a drink in their

a beautiful woman wearing a blue gown and tiara smiles innocently in their

loving, although I cannot make out who she is looking at.She raises her glass at Cyrus and Toran and then turns to dance

doesn’t make you the Fated Pair," Cyrus

aware," Toran replies,

doesn’t matter.I really like her and I think we will

sure about

"You’d be you."