The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Natalia***

We walk down the road in silence, several wolves paying respect to their Queen with a bow as they walk past us.

“Why do they bow to you?” I blurt out, wishing the earth would swallow me after the words leave my lips.

“Sorry, ignore me,” I mutter, avoiding her gaze.

“It’s okay,” she says.

“lam an Ivory Wolf, a special type of wolf that only exists every 150 years when a Silver and Gold Wolf are mated.You can think of me as a guardian for the werewolf race, gifted with many abilities to protect all of the children of the moon.Wolves sense my power and pay respect to me by bowing.” I store this information although I did not fully understand what a gold wolf or silver wolf is.

Aurora chuckles to herself and I raise an eyebrow at her.Did she think I was stupid for asking such a question?

“Not at all,” she chuckles as we arrive at a beautiful garden, brimming with gorgeous flowers, trees full of fruit and water fountains carved from stone.

“I just think it’s funny that you don’t seem to know a lot about werewolves and yet you hate us all.”

“I never said I hated werewolves,” I retort defensively.

“No, but you thought it,” she shrugs, making her way to a small “Many times, I might add.”

“How could you know tha-”

“I read your mind,” she sighs, swinging her short legs as she takes a deep breath.

“It’s one of my gifts.I’ve heard every thought you’ve had ever since you set foot in my office last night and while we had breakfast this morning.I’ve also seen all your memories, including those of your former pack.”

My cheeks burn knowing I had thought many vile things last night about wolves, but it was not something I planned to apologize for.I did not ask to be brought here to live among wolves.I just wanted to live my life with my baby.

Why couldn’t anyone understand that? “I’m not asking you for an apology,”

Aurora sighs.

“In fact, I understand your fears and concerns.Trust me, I know exactly what pain you’re feeling-”

“You know what I’m feeling?” I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You don’t know a thing about me! I trusted your kind.I trusted my mate.I trusted my pack and they all turned their backs on me when I needed them the most.They shattered everything within me and the only reason I am still standing here today is because of my little boy.He is the only reason I get up every morning, working two jobs so I can give him everything he deserves! I’ve given him everything.Me! I did that! Not my mate! Not some pack! Not any wolf! Me!”

I scream, wiping the tears that had spilled onto my cheeks pain! You don’t know anything about me! You get to sit here and be happy with your mate.

You didn’t have to fight tooth and nail to prove your worth to your people! You didn’t have people waiting for you to fail, expecting you to crumble under all the pressure of being a human Luna.You weren’t rejected by your mate and made to feel like you were worthless!

My entire body trembles with rage.I want to kick myself from crying in front of a wolf and showing her just how truly broken I was.

The little Queen sits quietly in her seat, closing her eyes and inhaling the fresh summer air.

For a long time, she says nothing and I contemplate just leaving and taking Kota far away from here before she finally heaves a heavy sigh.

“I was almost 13,” she whispers, her eyes still closed.

“I was almost 13 when I was accused of murdering my father.” I stare blankly at her, not sure what to do with that information.

“The beatings started almost immediately when they found me with his body,” she murmurs, fidgeting with her fingers in her lap.

“I never even had a chance to explain what happened. They all just turned on me…” Her voice trembles as she continues.

“My adoptive siblings, Mia and Salvador…” she pauses for a moment to catch her breath.

“T-they turned on me too…and for five years they…they beat me, tortured me in my sleep…shattered every space just trying to make it through the day.”

When she finally looks up at me, there are tears in her eyes.

“My own mate didn’t even want me when we first met…Oliver, he…he rejected me.” An uncomfortable smile curls on her lips.

“He didn’t want a murder for a Luna.”

mate rejected her? Ithink, wondering how she could have forgiven him

see, I was not always the respected Queen of this Kingdom.I was once a pack slave, withering away in a basement.I was beaten, tortured, forced to work day in and day out until my bones hurt.I was not handed

your pain.I know what it’s like to be rejected by the one person who is supposed to love you most.I know what it’s like to be betrayed and humiliated by your pack, by your family, by everyone you’ve ever loved.I know what it’s like to

ground

about pack life,”

human and wolf.I would not be where I am today were it not for River Moon.Evan laugh again when I thought

Rosalie taught me strength.

reason I learned to love myself and my body after years of

and Gwen

faith in me long before

and gentle with me even when I can’t stand myself.He’s there when

Packs aren’t all bad.

truly belong.I left Lluvia Blanca and found my home in

aren’t exclusive

in every

Silver Crest and found a new pack, one

your most precious gift, Nikki and Micah, your friends who have supported you always, and Mrs.Henry who stays open later to help out a young single mother struggling with her late shifts.All of them make up your pack.Zane and Agnes…they are just two rogues looking to

her feet,

not wanting to accept her

to let go of your hatred for us overnight.Like I said, I understand your fear very well,” she says as she gently rests her

you that not

I truly trust the words of

remind me of me when I first arrived at River Moon,” she sighs,

show you

can respond, she flicks her wrist, a portal

stand, I can make out a lake

I flinch

her kind eyes meeting mine with

I allow her to lead me through the portal and find myself in a completely

ask, looking around and taking in

looks like a construction site, hundreds of wolves carrying equipment and building

a large group of women

of it, they are in the middle of a

as Amethyst Lake, a pack from hell,” Aurora answers, leading me towards

pack, using them all as s*x slaves.Last year, my allies and I were able to liberate

their Alpha now,” Aurora says

anyone again.

to transform this place of misery into a sanctuary for those who suffered under

first step is the hardest: getting

a rough couple of

that was left

children with

don’t even know how to

of course, all of

these women, all thanks to a man

the group of women working on their breathing exercises with eyes closed.They look like

cruel Alphas…”

are out to hurt others.Some of us just want to help.I did not need to take on this burden.I have more than plenty of work handling River Moon and the kingdom, but these wolves…”

girls needed me.How could I turn my back on their

in the pit of my stomach for misjudging the powerful

I who is taking on this project,” She

been supportive with this train these women.The men you saw last night are my

trainers here so that my girls can learn to defend themselves and their pups.Luvia Blanca has given me access

Blanca…The same pack that turned on you?” I ask, wondering if I’ve gotten my

off

Blanca in their time of need would make me no better than them.So, I made them my allies and we work closely now to ensure the safety of the Kingdom.I won’t lie, sometimes it’s hard…but I don’t regret my decision.Besides, I couldn’t

know if I were ever in her shoes, I would not be

people think it’s weak to forgive, but I find the strongest people are the ones who hold no hatred in their heart,” She

we watch the women

majesty,” a girl