The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Read The Silent Alpha by Stephanie Light Chapter 83 – Plans in Motion

***Zane***

“S–Scarlett Haven dies with S–Sebastian White,” I murmur, turning to look at my father‘s corpse. “My f–father never thought I-I could be y–your Alpha and none of y–you bestowed upon me an ounce of ki–kindness despite my i–innocence. As such, 1-I cannot trust y–you all will follow or re–respect me as y–your Alpha and I–I refuse to lead y–you,” I say, shaking my head at the Scarlett wolves. “I–I will renounce the alliance with Crescent Mane and will f–formally hand y–you over to Onyx Stone. They will decide y–your fate.”

There are murmurs amongst the crowd of Scarlett wolves but they all seem to fade away when I again feel a pain in my chest. Talia… Grayson whines. She needs us. As I turn to leave, however, the Ravenstone wolves begin to ask their own questions.

“Alpha, what would you like us to do now ?” Tylen asks, his eyes glaring at the Scarlett Wolves. “Do we take them as prisoners? Do we take their weapons and detain them? ”

I look around at all the faces now turning to me for guidance and I desperately try to sort out my thoughts and my worry for Talia.

“I know it‘s overwhelming, but just take it one step at a time,”

“Toran mind–links me. “Look around you. What is the most pressing matter at the moment? What needs to be done first?”

Taking his advice, I scan the area and find the first few issues.

“I need volunteers to collect the bodies of our fallen soldiers. They deserve to be put to rest with the utmost respect for their sacrifice. Someone should also search for General Taryn‘s body in the water.

I’d like to give her a proper burial,” I add quietly, noticing Toran shield his face from the prying eyes of his pack for a moment. “We will hold a Moon Ceremony sometime this week for everyone.”

Three young men immediately step forward.

“We volunteer to find the general ,” one of them says, the young wolf bowing his head in respect to Toran.

“Thank you,” I reply.“ Someone, please check on the bunkers and make sure everyone is accounted for.

I‘ll also need a few of you to survey the islands and create a full report on the damages we endured and what repairs need to take place immediately.

As for the Scarlett wolves, take their weapons, gather

them all together and take them to receive medical treatment.”

There are a number of disgruntled growls in the crowd but Grayson puts his foot down and glares at

them for their disobedience until the wolves fall silent.

“The war is over and we are not Scarlett Haven,“Isnap, the wolves lowering their gaze in shame.” We will treat these wolves with respect because we are Ravenstone and we are not cowards who harm those who are already down.

They are to receive medical treatment, food, and will be left unbothered while arrange a meeting with their King. Whatever grudges you hold against them, bury them now. Am/ clear?”

“Yes. Alpha.” they reply in unison, though I can tell not all are not pleased with my decision.

“Good, let‘s get to work then,” I reply, the wolves dispersing to complete their tasks.

I stay a while to oversee their work and give orders whenever necessary. At first, it‘s awkward, but I quickly find a rhythm as a leader and grow comfortable handing out tasks.

“I have a few contacts with neutral packs that can arrange a meeting with King Arthur and Alpha Richard for the transfer of power,” Toran offers. “We can have this settled as early as tomorrow morning and get you home to your mate in time for her first shift.”

“Thank you,” I sign, Toran puffing out his chest with pride.

“My pleasure,” he says via mind–link.“ You‘re doing well, by the way. Keep it up and you might just build your own mother pack in no time.”

Ishake my head at him, the fear of Talia‘s reaction to my new title filling my thoughts.

“You fear your mate may be angry with you for accepting my title,” Toran observes, leading me towards the pack house.

“T–Talia has already been Luna and she w–was unhappy in h–her role,” I say quietly.

“And you believe she will be unhappy by your side?” Toran asks and I nod silently. He takes a deep breath and we walk in silence for a moment.

“Being a female leader in a male–dominated society is a challenge many fail to see,” he finally says.“ Their voices are often drowned out by Alphas who talk over each other to see who is loudest.

they are women and men know what‘s best for their pack,” he sighs. “But failing to acknowledge a Luna‘s power and importance more

experience as a Luna was soured by the lack of respect her

her a voice because the world will be hell bent on silencing hers. Make her your equal and you will always have a Luna

I never moved a finger without first consulting her and she reciprocated that trust. When there is mutual respect and shared

she will be proud

should take your own advice,” Grayson says, taking over momentarily. Toran raises an eyebrow in confusion at me. “Aren‘t you the man who handed his

Toran‘s face and he looks ahead as we approach

guess I

should listen to your wife before you make decisions for her,” Grayson says smugly.” Maybe then you‘d realize she‘s more willing to forgive

rethinks his divorce. As we arrive at the meeting room, a soldier runs in

sir,” he says before running off to finish his

I hurriedly call her back and at the first ring, she picks up, a

are

l–I’m fine,” I reply, hearing a small sigh of relief from her. “Wh–what‘s wrong? Are y–you

cries, my breath

correctly. Hearing the concern in my voice, Toran stops

he was playing at the play center. It was only a second and he took him!” Talia sobs. “He took our baby!” she cries angrily. “I can‘t

snarl ripples through my chest when her last words register in my ears. He dared touch my son? Grayson roars, his fur bristling as

ask through gritted teeth, desperately fighting to contain the hatred

no time for that,” Talia says. “I‘m

“Y–you‘re what?”

Maine already,” she explains. “Celina teleported me here and I am on my way to Silver Crest now to

my head despite her being unable to see me. “I–it‘s too

not alone,” Talia retorts. “Rionna and

equally upset that his

me. I didn‘t know what else to do and I couldn‘t sit around waiting for you to answer your phone! Kota is scared and alone with a man who‘s completely lost his mind. I‘m not going to sit here and wait for Christian

a chance she may rethink this.” T–I‘ll be on the first plane to Maine and

I‘ll be careful,” Talia replies. “But Kota needs me now.

“Ta–Talia–”

she

will do to her when

to Maine,” I say, Toran sensing the urgency. “I‘ll get the jet

***Vanessa***

and he helps me clean up the mess in the kitchen. We make bubbles in the sink and have a dance party after finishing each chore to keep the cleaning fun. In the bedroom, we play Simon Says and have a pillow fight where I let Kota defeat me in battle. The little boy asks to build a fort and we gather our supplies

heart rate soars as Jack steps into the house, a scowl on his face when he sees our mess.

you bully!” Kota growls. “I don‘t like

get on my nerves, little

flaring his little nostrils at Jack. Jack pulls out a picture from

holds it out to the

I‘m not your daddy?” He

“He‘s just a little boy. He won‘t understand your relationship with Natalia. He

have told him

she didn‘t,” I retort. “In Kota’s mind, you‘re just a stranger with a picture.

as he glares at the little

that sends shivers down my

enough,” he smirks. “Once I

but the extent of his delusion worries me. I just

“On the kitchen table,” I nod, Jack laughing with satisfaction as he snatches

sure they are all signed. “If it‘s any solace,” he says as he looks up at me. “You were a good f**k,” he adds with a

cannot help the tears that spring to my eyes, and I am ashamed that his stupid comment hurts me

I quickly wipe them away. “You can‘t honestly tell

failure, Nessa. As my Luna, as my wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as a f*****g woman, you were a

and were still too weak to protect your own pup, meanwhile your sister was rejected, demoted,

unable to

not face the fact that you