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

I stare at the Queen sized bed I was expected to share with a

fit us both but we would

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

begins to set in the horizon and a small part of

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

cleaning up the bed and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath

and Micah waiting just behind them to be let

my dry throat, stepping

assume are their belongings

the

“You’re here!”

flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so

had already won Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him

strong.I have to be strong for both

“Sorry we’re late,”

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

to her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

reach the room, I turn to Zane and have him translate for

your room” I

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

to hate her.She

widening

Zane and he smiles back at her,

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

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

do, I wrap my arms around

stares curiously at us, leaning

why she crying?”

to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever,

pink in

turns back to the room and begins

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

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

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

bond, I mutter to

my room and

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

I

there,” I smirk, pointing to

completely dumbfounded at the

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we

what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force

for making this small adjustment but it could

no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in

his entire species

formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack,” I say, stepping around him

find Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room,

He chirps as he hears me walk

his arm! Look!

glance at Micah’s tattoos and

say, forcing a smile for

asks as she comes in with the final shopping

night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and ask

over at Kota who continues

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

exchange glances before Niki

we know he’s your mate

lie but at the fact that I had never been truly free of werewolves

aspect of my life like a

upset with us?” Niki asks, a worried look on

as if to clarify

would never dream of hurting you or Kota.”

won’t

werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your

you,” I reply

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

packs nearby?” I ask, my heart

Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need

shakes his

only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just