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.

what‘s best for their pack,” he sighs. “But failing to acknowledge a Luna‘s power and importance more often than not leads to

was soured by the lack of respect her Alpha had for her?” He asks and

a voice because the world will be hell bent on

never moved a finger without first consulting her and she

and she will be proud to be your

raises an eyebrow in confusion at me. “Aren‘t you the man who handed his wife divorce papers based on

and he looks ahead as we approach the pack

I

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

the cogs turning in his head as he rethinks his divorce. As we

phone has been ringing nonstop, sir,” he says before running off

hurriedly call her back and at the first ring, she

“Zane, are you alright?

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

my breath hitching as my

Hearing the concern in my voice,

play center. It was only a second and he took him!” Talia sobs. “He took

last words register in my ears. He dared touch my son? Grayson roars, his fur bristling as he trembles

ask through gritted teeth, desperately fighting to contain the hatred coursing through my

time for that,” Talia says. “I‘m

“Y–you‘re what?”

explains. “Celina teleported me here and I am on my way to Silver Crest now to get our

too dangerous to go there on y–your own. Wh–what if it‘s a trap

alone,” Talia retorts. “Rionna and Jordan

equally upset that his wife has

to pull the danger card on 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

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

“But Kota needs me now. I‘m not waiting

“Ta–Talia–”

you, Zane,” she murmurs,

man will do to

I say, Toran sensing the urgency.

***Vanessa***

signing the paperwork 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

house, a scowl on his face when he sees our mess. Sensing my fear, little Kota stands in front of me, puffing out his chest and spreading out his little arms to shield me from

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

get on my nerves,

Jack pulls out a picture from his wallet

Talia and holds it out to

not your daddy?” He

understand your relationship with Natalia. He grew up without you. You can‘t expect him to love you right away when there‘s another

him about

mind, you‘re just a stranger with a picture. Try to understand that he already has someone he calls

at the little boy,

sends shivers down my

call me daddy soon enough,” he smirks. “Once I marry Natalia, everything will

don‘t respond for fear of what he might do to that pup, but the extent of his

Jack asks as he turns to search for them. “On the kitchen

it‘s any solace,” he says as he looks up at me. “You were a good f**k,” he adds with a smirk. “But

help the tears that spring to my eyes, and I am ashamed that his stupid comment

not falling for your s**t,” he snaps and I quickly

As my Luna, as my wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as a f*****g woman, you were a disappointment and

turned, got pregnant, and were still too weak to protect your own pup, meanwhile

to bear his assault

the truth? Why not face the fact that you