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 for his shoes

I stare at the Queen sized bed I

fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

this man touching me in my pajamas

leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my head, making me laugh knowing he

on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes perhaps Zane had

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 as I

and his mother smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting

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

small bag with what I assume are

the man with his arms wide

“You’re here!”

at

Kota over.Would

have to be strong for

“Sorry we’re late,”

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

lead Agnes to her room while Micah

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

is your

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

me and I find it impossible to hate her.She was not

eyes widening as she

Zane and he smiles back

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

It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the

what else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and

at us, leaning

she crying?” He asks

turn to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent

pulls away, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment as

to the room and begins unpacking her

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning to

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

elsewhere as I feel the urge

I mutter to

room and I point

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

the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet and select

sleeping over there,” I smirk,

stares at me completely dumbfounded at the

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

the ‘bedroom’ It did not

only assume is annoyance

for making this small adjustment but

had to share my home with a wolf, a stranger no less,

entire

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

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

as he hears me walk

has a wolf on his arm! Look!

glance at Micah’s

cool,” I say, forcing a smile

asks as she comes in with the final shopping

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

and Agnes?” I

Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs

know he’s your mate

but at the fact that I had never been truly

aspect of my

asks, a worried look on her

meant you or Kota any harm,” she adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the monsters

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

won’t hurt

they sank their teeth into your back when

not mad at you,” I reply coldly

Niki shifts nervously on her feet

packs nearby?” I ask, my heart in my

for me.I would need

shakes

wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are