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

in confusion, but he does not question Evan

house, Kota yawning heavily

the table while a mysterious man sits with his

grabbing Zane’s bicep

defensive stance,

pepper hair is well groomed and combed up and to the side, his graying

brows that make

grows on his sculpted jawline and there is even

surrounding him.He must

says verbally in a

know who he is, but it becomes apparent

of the man getting any closer.He only chuckles softly to himself and steps

know your name," the man apologizes

the man repeating it to

"Pleasure," the man says.

"I am Toran.Toran Ravenstone.”

***Janet** 

escapes my lips as I realize I am facing the man who destroyed whatever semblance of a family

caused all of my nightmares for

in Toran’s chest when I hold Kota a

not wish to harm your family,"

solely for your father.Please have a

discuss, I want to tell him

see my past, so why then, has she let

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

see

Evan.He will watch over him while we talk." The gamma takes Kota from my arms,

I find it difficult to trust that Toran won’t try to hurt my family.He

do to make you trust me, is there?" Toran sighs, settling

it, has always been a very cunning man, even in childhood.He knew how to...how to twist the truth in

you killed him...Grayson growls.Best friend

are always two sides to a story.You knew

pointing to the

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

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

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

me for good reason,"

was a different man the last time

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

sent her to you," he says quietly, shock washing over

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

said,"

know one side of this story." He suddenly

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

up as it is.Thank you for that, I respond, my

to see the truth," she

"You’ll understand better."

"You can do this,"

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

calm myself down until the memories sort

off in the distance and I follow it until a sudden

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

my young uncle Cyrus, cracking jokes in

lights and everyone holds a drink in their

the room, a beautiful woman wearing a blue gown and tiara

out who she is looking at.She raises her glass at Cyrus and Toran and then turns to dance

Fated Pair,"

fully aware," Toran replies,

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

sure about

"You’d be you."