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.

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

soured by the lack of respect her Alpha had

when needed, give her a voice because the world will be hell bent on silencing hers. Make her your equal and you

first consulting her and she reciprocated that trust. When

be proud to be your

you 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 wife divorce papers based on

Toran‘s face and he

I am,”

her,” Grayson says smugly.” Maybe then

but I can see the cogs turning in his head as he rethinks his divorce. As we arrive

ringing nonstop, sir,” he says before running off to finish his other

Talia. I hurriedly call her back and at the first ring,

are you alright?

of relief from her. “Wh–what‘s wrong? Are

my breath hitching as my world suddenly goes

stammer, unsure if I heard her correctly. Hearing

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 breathe, Zane, he

register in my ears. He dared

I ask through gritted teeth, desperately fighting to contain

that,” Talia

“Y–you‘re what?”

me here and I am on my way to Silver

despite her being unable to see me. “I–it‘s too dangerous to go there on y–your own. Wh–what if it‘s

alone,” Talia retorts. “Rionna and Jordan

my mother with y–you?” I snap, Toran equally upset that his wife has been put

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

this.” T–I‘ll be on the first plane to Maine and go with

needs me now. I‘m

“Ta–Talia–”

Zane,” she murmurs, hanging

but Talia doesn‘t answer, my distress soaring as I think of what that man will do

say, Toran sensing the urgency. “I‘ll get the jet ready for

***Vanessa***

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.

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

away, you bully!” Kota growls.

with amusement. “You know you are really starting to get on my nerves, little man. I blame your mother for spoiling

flaring his little nostrils at Jack. Jack pulls out

Talia and holds it out to the little

I‘m not your daddy?”

from his father. “He‘s just a little boy. He won‘t understand your relationship with Natalia. He grew up

have told him about me!”

I retort. “In Kota’s mind, you‘re just a stranger with a

eyes as he glares at the little

that sends shivers down

call me daddy soon enough,” he smirks. “Once I

don‘t respond for fear of what he might do to that pup, but the extent of his delusion worries me. I just

Jack asks as he turns to search for them. “On the kitchen table,” I nod, Jack

solace,” he says as he looks up at me. “You were a

the tears that spring to my eyes, and I am ashamed that

for your s**t,” he snaps and I quickly wipe them away. “You can‘t honestly tell me you didn‘t know you were

my wife, as a daughter, as a sister, as a f*****g woman, you

protect your own pup, meanwhile your sister was rejected, demoted,

unable to

he asks. “Why hide from the truth? Why not face the fact