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.

Zane and make room in the closet

the Queen sized bed I was expected to

to fit us both

me in my pajamas makes me

would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea

horizon and a small part

as the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing who

the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath as I open

his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and

soothe my dry throat, stepping off

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

the man with his arms

“You’re here!”

bag over 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

strong.I have to be strong for

“Sorry we’re late,”

go shopping for more clothes.They…they didn’t bring much with them to

Micah and Niki

I turn to Zane and

is your

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

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

you,”she signs, her eyes widening as

to Zane and he smiles back at her, nodding

bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on the bed

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

to do, I wrap my

leaning his head against Zane’s

why she crying?”

he remains silent

away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as she wipes

back to the room and

curtly, gesturing to Zane

down and follows close behind me, Kota running down the

with Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

I mutter

my room and I point

some space in the closet for you to hang your things,” I shrug.I turn to find him

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to

be sleeping over there,” I smirk,

at me completely dumbfounded at the

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

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

annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could

for making this small adjustment

home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not

his entire

are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack,” I say,

chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the

He chirps as he

wolf on his arm! Look!

glance at Micah’s

say, forcing a

Nikki asks as she comes in with the final

my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite

…” I gulp, looking over at Kota

you like Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs

we know he’s your mate

feel a cold anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been

infecting every aspect of my life like a

with us?” Niki asks, a worried look

as if to clarify that they were not the

dream of hurting you or Kota.” I almost scoff at

I won’t

before they sank their teeth into

I reply coldly with a

what’s done is done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that kept me

there any packs nearby?” I ask, my heart in my

Christian and the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave

Micah shakes

in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues