The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Chapter 12: Turmoil

***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.

drawers for Zane and make room in the closet for his shoes

stare at the Queen sized bed

was large enough to fit us both but we would

man touching me in my pajamas

Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the

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

my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking

the bed and rush over to the door, taking a

mother smile politely at me, Nikki and

my dry throat, stepping off to the side

and Agnes each carry a single small bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry

cries, 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

this morning and Zane had already won Kota over.Would

I’ll Be strong.I have to be strong

“Sorry we’re late,”

town to go shopping

to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping bags in

to Zane and

is your room”

bed.The bathroom is down the hall to the left,” I say, pointing down

to hate her.She was not my mate.She had not forced me into this

you,”she signs, her eyes widening as she takes in

signs something to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

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

eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple

do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept her

leaning

crying?” He

to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent

flushed pink in embarrassment as

turns back to the room and begins unpacking her

to Zane and turning

and follows close behind me,

elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around and hold

I mutter to

my room and I point to the

closet for you to hang your things,”

arrangement, I go to the closet and select

there,” I smirk, pointing to

completely dumbfounded at the change of

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

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

annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not

this small adjustment but it could

wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

and his entire species disgusted

will leave you to unpack,” I say, stepping around him

the living room, Kota inspecting

chirps as he hears

on his

glance at Micah’s tattoos

forcing a smile

asks as she comes in with

possibility that my friends were not

you also …” I gulp, looking over at Kota who continues to

and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping

exchange glances before Niki sighs a

know he’s your

skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life

Niki asks, a worried look

never meant you or Kota any harm,” she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the

never dream of hurting you or Kota.” I almost scoff

I won’t hurt

werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back

at you,” I reply coldly

what’s done is done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I

packs nearby?” I ask, my heart in my

the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once

shakes his

the only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and