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.

and make room

my belly as I stare at the Queen sized bed I was expected to share

us both but we would

touching me in my pajamas makes

so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my

in the horizon and a small part of

the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing

and rush over to the door,

at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to be let

will soothe my dry throat, stepping

single small bag with what I assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry what appear to

cries, rushing up to the man

“You’re here!”

at the sight of my son

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

to be strong

“Sorry we’re late,”

we promised Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They…they didn’t bring

nod silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah

to Zane and have him

your

bathroom is down the hall to

I find it impossible to hate her.She was

widening as she

Zane and he smiles back at

bed, shocked by how bouncy and comfortable it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I

her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the garden and a

my arms around Agnes and accept her

stares curiously at us, leaning

why she crying?” He

Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting Kota’s

cheeks flushed pink in

turns back to the room and begins unpacking her

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to

puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running

Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around and hold

bond, I mutter

arrive at my room and I point

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

clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet

be sleeping over there,” I smirk,

dumbfounded at the change of

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

states we share the ‘bedroom’ It did

annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to

small adjustment but it could

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

and his entire species disgusted

of the way, I will leave you to

find Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s arms with

He chirps as he

on his arm! Look! Look!” He

at Micah’s tattoos

say, forcing a smile for

as she comes in with

friends were not who

over at Kota who continues to stroke Micah’s tattoos

like Zane and Agnes?” I

exchange glances before

know he’s your

feel a cold anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like

upset with us?” Niki asks, a

quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they

would never dream of hurting you or Kota.”

I won’t

werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you weren’t

I reply coldly with a

are.Besides, what’s done is done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet

I ask,

Christian and the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once if that was

Micah shakes his

Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just