The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

A Fair Trade

***Zane***

King Author glares at me as Talia and I take our seats at the table, neither one of us bowing before him. “So you are the child Sebastian kept a secret all these years,” the King says in a low voice. “The true heir to the Scarlett Haven Alpha title.” I do not feel the need to give an answer and remain silent, much to the King’s annoyance.

Luna Sara’s eyes bore into me with seething rage while her brother, Alpha Richard, looks at me with bemusement. “Well, considering you called this meeting, I presume it wasn’t to waste my time,” the King snarls.

“You’ve killed your father according to witnesses, which means by law, Scarlett Haven now belongs to you. I’m glad to hear the rightful heir has taken over,” he says, Luna Sara clenching her jaw at the King’s comment.

“I’ve brought the Elders so you can take your oath-” “That won’t be necessary,” Toran interjects. “Alpha Zane” “Did I say you could speak, mutt!?” The King growls, Toran’s face calm and unfazed.I’ll have to remember to ask him how he manages such composure at all times.

“I did not come all this way to listen to you spew your filth!” the King snaps as he turns back to me. Enter title…  “Now, boy. The Oath is quite simple. As Alpha of Scarlett Haven, you will swear allegiance to the Kingdom of Crescent Mane and take over your father’s debt to Onyx Stone.

They require an heir and it will be your responsibility to produce one with one of their wolves. Alpha Richard has made a selection of eligible brides for you to choose from.”

I steal a glance at my mate, who is doing her best to hold back her laughter, though the look in her eyes is anything but amused. “It’s alright,” I murmur as I open a connection between us.

Noticing the tremor of rage rippling through her, I place my hand on her knee and caress it with my thumb to calm her down. “I belong only to you.” “l see that you are marked and mated,” the King continues.

“No offense to the lady, but that simply won’t do. You will have to take back your mark and reject her before you take the oath.” Grayson bursts into a murderous chuckle, and even I cannot help but laugh.

Just who the hell does this man think he isi? “Is something funny?” The King asks, his teeth gnashing together as he glares menacingly at me.I notice a little smirk of pride on Toran’s face, and it’s enough to give me confidence in my voice.

“Very,” I reply, attempting to make my voice strong and confident like Toran and I practiced. “I-It seems y-you’re under the impression that I-I take orders from y-you.” Luna Sara suddenly bursts into laughter at the sound of my voice, her whole body shaking with each cackle.

“Oh, how delicious! He has a stutter!” she squeals with excitement. “So that’s why Sebastian hid you all these years!” she laughs. “He was ashamed to have ason like you! Oh, goddess! I can’t believe it! This is the new Alpha of Scarlett Haven? A stutterer?” She claps like a seal, laughing hysterically to herself.

Surprisingly, I do not mind her hurtful words and I am able to maintain my cool despite her ridicule. Talia, on the other hand, is seething, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides.

I can almost smell the rage pulsating through her, and I place my hand over her fist, curling my fingers around her small hand. “It’s okay,Talia,” I murmur through our connection, but it seems my words do little to soothe her.

Slamming her fist on the table, a black mist spreads from her hand, growing darker as it condenses into what appears to be a large black vine with thorns.

Gasps erupt across the room as the vine slithers over the table and wraps around Luna Sara like a cobra around its prey, squeezing her tightly until she’s almost blue in the face.

King Arthur and Alpha Richard are on their feet instantly, staring in fright at the black vine as it pulls Luna Sara out of her chair and towards Talia. “What the hell is the meaning of this?!” the King snarls, the room becoming humid as he activates his power.

Talia ignores the King, rising from her chair and bringing Luna Sara close enough so that they are at eye level. “Such pretty eyes you have,”

as a two-pronged spear aimed at her eyes grows from the vine and she opens her mouth to

GO!” the King commands in his royal voice, flicking his wrist towards Talia and flinging icicles at her. Talia raises her hand to shield herself, the black mist mimicking her movement and forming a large

shock, a black film glazes over the King’s eyes as he obeys my command and sits. Alpha Richard can only stare at me in shock as his own King follows my

my attention to my mate. Talia leans into Luna Sara’s right ear and hisses her menacing threat, “Are you fond of your tongue? Because if you are,

Talia releases her; scrambling to her feet and running to the

my woman! Grayson purrs, his tail

breath. “It’s the audacity to come to MY PACK and insult MY ALPHA,”

inside her at this point, Grayson yips.  But I am putting all of them in

kiss the tip of her nose, the rage in her eyes melting away as she looks at me.Her fists still clench at her

personally, and she would never forgive her for mocking me. “I’m okay,” I smile, but Talia can only shake her head at me. “I am I promise.” “Your pack?” the King interrupts, his voice reminding me that Talia and I

turn back to the King and the Alpha. “That’s what I was trying to explain, your Majesty,” Toran sighs. “I

“I-I…will not be t-taking any oath tonight,” I announce, the King growling in indignation. “M-my father promised an heir.I-I did not and since I-I am now Alpha, only I-I decide

are not m-my King,” I retort. “I-l was cast out as a r-rogue and became Alpha of Ravenstone before claiming Scarlett Haven. Scarlett Haven is now ppart of Ravenstone, which means

disgruntled finger at me. “How dare you-” “No, how dare y-you come into m-my territory, insult m-my mate with

“LIES?” The King snarls. “My daughter is dead. Do you have any idea what that wolf beside you did?” “H-he loved his mate,” I reply, the King’s

imbecile I-I see here is y-you, y-your majesty, for believing in the lies of Cyrus W-White

right about now.  Grayson snickers. Roll that film! “Cyrus was n-not Bre’s mate,” I explain. “She was Toran’s.Y-Your daughter’s

he can protest, I project Toran’s last memory of Princess Bre so he can see for himself who Breanna truly loved.He watches in silence as his daughter takes her last breath in her mate’s arms before

sigh. “But the true killer d-died many years ago…And I- I am sure y-your daughter would be at

his breath. “Well it is,” Toran snaps. “I tried to tell you so many times, but you choose to believe Cyrus instead of me,”

to see you take Cyrus’s side, but I fought alone to bring Breanna the justice she deserved! I watched the life leave Cyrus’s eyes, and I thought that would bring

Ravenstone will never bow down to you

takes his hand in hers, her touch reminding him of what love and peace feels like.  “But Bre…” King Arthur whispers to himself as he sits down.

bond with Bre and m-mask her true bond with Toran,” I explain. “Breanna fi-figured it out and rather than ac-accept

mutters to himself. “You’ve been chasing the wrong man,” Toran snaps unapologetically. “You failed her…and I hope to Goddess you rot in hell for the pain you’ve caused me.” King Arthur growls

even alive, Ellie? I watched Sebastian grieve for you.He felt your death, as did your Gamma.” Rionna can only shrug in response. “I will not pretend to understand the intentions

who makes me happy.” “And you didn’t once

Rionna corrects him. “I don’t have any of her memories and I don’t remember what it

draws our attention from the far side of the room and we

dead mother and her stupid son.How wonderful,” she snarls. “Meanwhile, my son was murdered in cold blood and no one has offered to correct this crime! I demand justice for what was done to him!” She snarls, pointing an

don’t deserve the title of Alpha of Scarlett Haven!”  “Y-You’re right,” I shrug after coming to this conclusion. “I- I don’t…and that’s why I-II want no part of Scarlett Haven.” King Arthur and Alpha Richard stare at me in confusion and I carefully explain my

title and te-territories of Scarlett Haven to Alpha Richard and the Onyx Stone pack.I-In exchange, Ravenstone and mmy family will be left alone to live our lives in peace and Onyx Stone