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.

two drawers for Zane and make room in the closet

Queen sized bed

to fit us both but we would inevitably touch

man touching me in my

me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows

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

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

the bed and rush over to the

and his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to be

hard, hoping my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

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

rushing up to the man with

“You’re here!”

man throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of

Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him

Be strong.I have to be strong for both of

“Sorry we’re late,”

town to go

nod silently and lead Agnes to her room while Micah

we reach the room, I turn to Zane

is your

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

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

you,”she signs, her eyes widening as

signs something to Zane and he smiles back at

is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on

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

to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes

leaning his head

why she crying?”

an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only

pink in

back to the room and begins unpacking

say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to leave Agnes

puts Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota running down the

with Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I

I mutter

room and I point to the

in the closet for you to hang your things,” I shrug.I turn to find him staring at the bed and feel my

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go

I smirk, pointing to the

dumbfounded at the change of

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

It did not specify that

his lips together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods

making this small adjustment but

share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the

entire

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

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

chirps as he hears me walk

his arm! Look! Look!”

at Micah’s tattoos

say, forcing a smile for

Nikki asks as she comes in with the final shopping

hadn’t stopped thinking of last 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 to stroke

like Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping

and Nikki exchange glances before

he’s

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

aspect of

Niki asks, a worried look

Kota any harm,” she adds quickly, as

you or Kota.”

I won’t

before they sank their teeth into

not mad at you,” I reply

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

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

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

shakes his

wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like