The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Read The Silent Alpha by Stephanie Light Chapter 84 – Former Lunas

***Natalia***

“Hello Natalia,” a familiar voice whispers timidly.  Gathering my bearings, I realize I‘ve run right into Vanessa and knocked her over, a sheepish smile on her face as I help her to her feet.  “Where is Kota?” I ask, looking around the living room in search of my son.  “Here I am, Mommy!” Kota squeals with his arms raised in the air, peering from the balcony of the  stairs.

My heart skips a beat when I see his beautiful eyes looking back at me and I rush up the steps to hold  him.  “Mommy!” Kota cries, wrapping his arms around my neck in a tight embrace.

“Kota!“I sob into his hair, rocking him from side to side in my arms and showering him with kisses.” Oh, my beautiful little bean! My sweet frijolito! I‘m here. Mommy‘s here and I‘m never letting you go,“I weep, unable to contain my joy of holding him in my arms again.

“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” I ask, pulling away to inspect his beautiful face.

“My butt hurts,” he shakes his head at me, pointing to his legs and his butt. He wears a little pajama set and I pull back his bottoms to check his wounds.

“Ouchie,” | gasp, Kota nodding in agreement. I gently pat his butt, murmuring the age old Spanish chant to heal all wounds. “Sana. Sana. Colita de rana. Hechate un pedo para ti y para tu hermana. {Heal, heal, little frog tail.

Fart for you and your sister).” (A/N: It actually makes no sense but it‘s a Spanish rhyme with a twist for whenever a child gets hurt to make them feel better.]

Kota bursts into laughter and a tiny stench reaches my nostrils.  “Did you fart?” I ask as he plays with his fingers.  “Yeah,” he giggles, the sound breathing life into me.  He‘s okay. My baby is okay.

“You still use that?” Vanessa chuckles softly. “I remember mom used to say that all the time to us to get us to stop crying.”

I grab Kota and turn to look at my older sister, taking in her appearance. She‘s showered since I last saw her on the phone but there is still a little bruising on her face and neck. She shifts uncomfortably on her feet, and her eyes keep flickering around in search of danger.

Vanessa and I may be at odds, but I have never wished her any ill, even if she does deserve it.

She has a wolf, Devina whispers. It‘s small but I can sense it. There‘s a wall between them.

“You have a wolf,” Vanessa whispers, a little flicker of delight in her eyes. “And you‘re marked!” she adds with a soft smile. “Th–that‘s great. I‘m so happy you moved on!”

An awkward silence forms between us as she musters up the courage to keep speaking. I, however, have nothing much to say to her.

“You have a very beautiful son,” she says quietly. “Very beautiful.” “Thanks,” I reply after clearing my throat. “Thank you for… taking care of him.”

“Mommy, can we take Nanessa home with us?” Kota asks, Vanessa smiling at the little boy, though the light never reaches her eyes. “She‘s my friend.”

She already knows my answer.

“I‘m sorry Kota,” I whisper, Vanessa‘s smile faltering slightly. “But your friend has her own path to take. Right, Nanessa?”

I feel heartless, but I had given Vanessa a home once and she betrayed me. I will not make the same mistake twice, even if she did protect my pup.

“Right,” she answers quietly before forcing her voice to be high and happy. “But it‘s okay, Kota. Maybe one day, you can come visit me and we can have pillow fights.”

“Or you can come visit us!” Kota cries with excitement. “You can meet my Daddy!”

“No!” I snap, Kota and Vanessa both jumping in fright at the harshness of my voice. “No,” I repeat softly, shaking my head as I push past Vanessa. “No, I‘m sorry Kota, but Nanessa is going to be very busy living her own life so she can‘t meet Daddy.”

“But why not?” Kota whines, small tears springing to his eyes.

I resist the urge to groan and am grateful when Rionna appears around the corner.

Nonna!” | squeal with forced excitement, Kota

stretching out his arms to

and peppering his cheeks with kisses. “I‘m so glad you‘re safe now.

her cheeks and Kota wipes them

he whispers. “It‘s

all together, I lead everyone downstairs to discuss a plan of attack and hope Kota

“Yes,” Jordan replies as I look around the cabin and notice a lot of windows and glass doors. “Not a lot of coverage,” I

was designed to look unassuming.” Jordan says. “But downstairs

the neighboring areas would gather here for business and to settle disputes. There‘s a secret entrance to the cellar from the surrounding woods,” he adds. “It was meant to allow Alphas to remain anonymous if they wanted to hold

the old cellar, the steps narrow and creaky. The meeting room is dark but well kept, with a gorgeous antique chandelier hanging from the ceiling. In the middle of the room is a long  table with handcrafted wooden chairs and velvet blue cushions.

of books on war and political strategies, business practices and laws, religions,

shelves and tilts it up. A hidden door opens from behind a shelf on the opposite side of the room, a cloud of dust rising as it

tunnel leads to and if it‘s still usable?” I ask through a cough, swatting my

would throw parties here as teens,” he shrugs. “The

she seems to be thinking the same thing

in my arms and giving him one last good squeeze. “Nonna and Nanessa are going to take you far away from the cabin to somewhere safe in

whisper. “I have to talk to

whimper escapes his lips and I give him another squeeze to soothe

chubby cheeks. “You have to protect Nonna and Nanessa. They‘re afraid of the dark. Can you take care

“Like Daddy?” He asks.

little superhero like Daddy?” He nods his little head and I give him one last hug. “I love you so

too, Mommy,” he says as I hand him over to

a blanket over Dakota‘s head to shield him from the cold air coming from the tunnel. “Please take care

tucking Kota into the blanket so that

Please be careful.”

tunnel but Vanessa lingers

so sorry for everything I‘ve done to you,” She whimpers. “I know what I did is unforgivable, and

was unforgivable.” “I‘m

peeking through her eyes, and I feel a lump form

he asked

trembling voice, answers with dread, “He wanted to know

spring to my eyes and I look away to gather my bearings. I may have hated my sister, but

like to lose your mate,”

I stare at her

a crack

her head as she bursts into tears. “I‘m sorry! I‘m

as she sobs into her hands and I resist

you or let you back into my life. I’m sorry, but when this is all over, I don‘t want to see

knew that would be your answer. I just needed you to know that I wanted to change and

back my sob. “Now hurry… and good luck

as she disappears into the tunnel before turning to Jordan

trained for this stupid challenge you

once we‘re left

I have trained our entire lives

out a back–up plan. I had plenty of warrior training when I was Luna and even had sessions with Christian, but

anymore… Devina shrugs. And