The Silent Alpha

***Natalia*** 

Zane leaves to collect his things and Agnes from Nikki and Micah's place, giving me the chance to really think about what I just agreed to.I head to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face and neck, letting out a huge sigh as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

My reflection mocks my pathetic situation, laughing at me for accepting yet another wolf into my life.

‘Don't let him get too close" I remind myself.

' Every kind gesture, every kiss, every gentle caress of my face...it will all be a lie.He doesn't really love me.He doesn't care about me no matter how much he says he does"

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about all the times Christian looked me in the eyes with such false sincerity, professing his undying love for me all the while f*****g my sister behind my back.

Wiping the tears that stain my cheeks, I inspect my reflection, my eyes scrutinizing every imperfection.

Dark circles hug my eyes from my restless night.

Fearful that Zane would find me, I called out of work this morning, keeping Kota home instead of taking him to daycare.

Of course, my attempts proved futile.

The wolf found me without much effort.

‘I am not good enough to fall in love with anyways" I shrug to myself, drying off my face.

‘I couldn't even keep my husband interested in me before he looked elsewhere...Perhaps Zane will also find me inadequate as a mate and move on as well.." I nod at my reflection reassuringly.

‘Yes.Sooner or later, he'll stop liking me and I'll be free"

Having given myself the pep talk of the century, I hurry to find little Kota playing in the backyard and call him to me.He happily waddles over to me with a grin on his face.

"Where's Zane, mommy?" he asks, looking behind me into the living room.

"Can he come play with me?"

I crouch down and lift him into my arms, carrying him over to the living room and sitting him down on the sofa.I smooth down his hair and cup his chubby cheeks in my hands.

"Kota," I say, forcing a smile for him.

"What do you think about Zane staying with us … just for a little bit?"

His eyes widen with joy.

"Yeah!" He cries, jumping up on his feet and clapping his hands.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!"

"You like that idea?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

Kota jumps onto the couch and bursts into laughter.

"Yeah," he giggles, resting his chin in his hands.

"And what about Agnes? Can she stay here too?" I ask.

Kota bounces on his toes, shooting his fingers up in a happy I pout at him.

"I thought I made the best cookies..."

"No," he grins, shaking his head and jumping up like a rabbit.

I feign hurt at his honesty and he rushes up to kiss me square on the lips.

"But Mommy makes the best pancakes!" He chirps.

Kota suddenly stretches out his arms like a plane and flies over to his toy chest, pulling out his favorite toy train and action figures.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he makes a small pile of toys.

"To play with Zane," he shrugs as if that were the most obvious answer.

Worry fills my heart as I realize that Kota would be affected by Zane’s imminent departure.

I would need to do everything in my power to make sure Zane rejects me quickly and leaves us both in one piece.

"Remember, Kota," I sigh, crawling over to him.

"He’s only here for a little while.He won’t be here forever.Entiendes? understand ?"I ask.

He nods and continues to make a pile of toys for Zane when he arrives.

Seeing no point in explaining any further, I rush off to the guest room and ensure it’s comfortable for Agnes, changing the sheets and myself to share my space with a man.

make room in the

stare at the Queen sized

both but we would inevitably touch

this man touching me in my pajamas makes me

their Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head, making

drag on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small

my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking

to the door, taking

politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind

my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to be shopping

rushing up to the man with his arms wide

"You’re here!"

his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms

only met this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too? *No, I shake

Be strong.I have to

"Sorry we’re late,"

to town to go shopping for more clothes.They...they didn’t bring

while Micah and

I turn to Zane and

your room"

bathroom is down the hall to the

smiles kindly at me and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not my mate.She

widening as she takes in the

and he smiles back

takes a seat on the bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the

wipes at her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a

my arms

curiously at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

why she crying?" He

for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only

flushed pink

turns back to the room

to Zane and turning to leave

and follows close behind me, Kota running down the hall to

my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge

I mutter

at my room and I point

two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things," I shrug.I turn

arrangement, I go to the

there," I smirk, pointing

at me completely dumbfounded at the

"What?" I shrug indifferently.

agreement states we share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we had to share

only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he

feel bad for making this small

I had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in the same bed with

and his entire species

the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave

living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s arms

look!" He chirps as he hears

a wolf on his arm! Look! Look!" He cries

at Micah's tattoos

cool," I say, forcing

Nikki asks as she comes in with

thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite

looking over at Kota

you like Zane and Agnes?" I ask, clasping and unclasping my hands

and Nikki exchange glances

know he's your

anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been truly free of werewolves as I

everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life

with us?" Niki asks, a worried

any harm," she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the

hurting you or Kota."

won't hurt

their teeth

you," I reply coldly with a

done is done." Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a

nearby?" I ask, my heart in

Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once if that

Micah shakes his

Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like Zane and

wanting to know exactly who l am dealing