The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Read The Silent Alpha by Stephanie Light Chapter 92 – The Fire Tree

*Four Months Later*

***Natalia***

Life has changed drastically for my little family over the last four months. For starters, upon her return from

France. Zane asked Queen Aurora for an alliance and she made an offer that Zane and I did not expect.

At first, I thought she was joking but the serious look on her face made me realize not only was she serious, but

this was very important to her.

* Flashback

“There are luckily very few people in this world who understand the life these girls were forced to live… but that also means very few people have the patience and compassion to handle the pain they’ve endured,” she explains.“ I’ve spent months working with them, training them, rebuilding their homes into a sanctuary, but they need leadership and guidance, things I cannot offer to them exclusively without neglecting the rest of my kingdom,” she sighs, her face grim. “Things didn’t go as well as I had hoped in France and I suspect Alpha Jacque and Benoit are already plotting their next moves. I need help with Amethyst Lake while I start finding more allies, so if you are willing, I would be most honored to offer you Amethyst lake and its territory.”

Timmediately like the idea as I had come to enjoy working with the girls. They deserve the very best Alpha and I

could not think of a greater man than Zane for the job.

“B-But Ravenstone, your Majesty,” Zane asks in disbelief. “H-ow?”

“Amethyst Lake is being built to house 600 wolves with the idea being that it will become a sanctuary for strays and rogues escaping abusive packs or war,” Aurora smiles proudly to herself. “It currently only has about 200 wolves and Ravenstone isn’t very big. I’m sure the land can accommodate all of your pack and the girls just fine”

“But would integration be a good idea, your Majesty?” I ask her. “I’ve spent time with those girls and while ! adore them, many are still frightened of men and even people. I’m not sure they are ready to be in a pack with

strangers.”

“That is a valid concern,” the Queen replies. “But integration wouldn’t be immediate,” Aurora explains. “I’ll admit, this task isn’t going to be easy but I wouldn’t be asking you if I didn’t think you could handle this. The pack grounds are still under construction but it’s almost finished. Ravenstone could move in first while the girls continue

their therapy and training until we’re sure they can live peacefully among other wolves. It may take months or even a

year before your pack would be whole but if you’re up to the challenge, this could be really good for Ravenstone and Amethyst Lake.” Her lips curl into a gentle smile. “I don’t need an answer right away. Just think about it. Regardless of what you decide, I will respect your decision and will gladly set up an alliance if that’s all you seek.”

*End flashback

Zane was very nervous to present the idea to Toran and the rest of Ravenstone, but after weeks of deliberation, the Ravenstone wolves voted in favor of the move.

Things began to move quickly after the vote and I officially moved out of my little house in Poulsbo to live with

my new pack. Zane didn’t want me to become overwhelmed with traveling between the packs, so he urgently

suggested that I stay in the River Moon guest house with Kota, Agnes, and Nikki to keep me company.

While in River Moon, I have worked closely with Aurora to plan out the layout of the new pack, organizing housing arrangements and representing the pack in Alpha meetings on Zane’s behalf. We have set up a small commercial center for our pack members to establish their own trades, built community gardens, parks, and even a

new elementary school. Construction of the last buildings was completed last week and Zane has been helping our pack members settle into their new homes and setting up our very own pack house. I want to help but after witnessing some false labor contractions, Zane has refused to let me anywhere near the movers.

After my first month of pregnancy, I stopped being able to use my powers and I can no longer shift safely without risking the life of my baby. In Zanes’ eyes, I am now the same human he met all those months ago and he worries day

and night for my safety. It’s adorable but a little suffocating at times.

To please him, I’ve stayed home with Agnes, Nikki and Rionnna checking up on me every 20 minutes but I’m on the verge of losing my mind after being confined within these four walls for the past 2 days. This morning after Zane left for work, I began to feel contractions and have busied myself packing my bags for the hospital. I forget, however, that mates feel each other’s pain and soon receive a worried mind-link from Zane.

“Talia, are you okay?” Zane asks and I explain it’s nothing to worry about. “Are you sure?” he asks.

“They’ve been pretty far apart, “I sigh.” There’s no need to worry just yet. I’ll let you know when it’s time. Okay?”

It takes a little convincing but Zane finally relents and lets me handle my business. As I fold the baby’s clothes into their bag, I feel a rather strong contraction and decide to lay down for a few minutes, closing my eyes to rest.

“Talia, my darling little b***h, are you resting?” I hear a familiar voice call out from the stairs and I burst into laughter as Gwen pops her head into my bedroom.

“Is that a witch I hear climbing up the steps,” I chuckle, rubbing my large belly. “Have you come to steal my children and bake them into pies?”

“Ugh,” she groans, gently pushing me off to the side to lay beside me. “I have enough with the little gremlin growing inside me to be eating more children.” she mutters, placing her hands on her little round belly.

“Oh, but you do look amazing, Guinevere,” I smile, a tiny smirk curling on her lips. “I look like a f*****g potato with an extra bud sprouting on my stomach,” I laugh.

“Oh, eat horse s**t, you c*nt,” she scoffs as I burst into laughter. “You look like a bl**dy princess with all your …” She gestures to my entire body and grumbles.

didn’t say anything!”I

I’m tired and ran out of words,” she mutters, curling up in my arms and kissing my belly. “You’ve been in there for quite a while, little one,” she murmurs to my baby. “Any plans on coming out soon? Your aunty Gwen

mutter, Gwen smiling like a fool. “I’ll be sure to return the favor in

SU

burst into tears when Salavador ate one of my fries. I bl**dy offered it to him in

thoroughly

a starved wolf. He could come home exhausted from work and I will literally tear off his pants and climb

They truly are at our mercy, aren’t

her belly. “Are you nervous at all? The first pup is

surprise, came back with a baby growing in her belly. She’s been staying in Lluvia Blanca for the time being and

and being a

I

wolf.”

one day at a time. You have me and Salvador, and

disposal, okay? You’re not on your own anymore no matter how much you like to think you

know,” she smiles.

squeals as he bursts into the room and pounces on the bed to

string of pine cones. “Look, Mommy! It’s

“These will look wonderful in Baby’s room. Do you know what tree they’re from?” she

tree,” he smiles, Guinevere

she corrects him. “Like this. SEH-KOH-YAH. It’s the biggest tree in the world and one of the strongest,” she explains, Kota crawling onto her lap and petting her belly as he listens. “They are so powerful that their cones can only open

gasps, examining the cones with his

heat makes their cones dry out and POP! Out come the little

into new trees.”

cone has babies?” Kota gasps

my legs and Kota looks down

Mommy! You peed

asks, pulling Kota off to keep him dry. “Was

breathe in and out slowly and force myself to

is the least of your worries, love,” Gwen chuckles

am a wolf, doesn’t mean my legs have to have fur,” I mutter, turning to my pup and looking for an excuse to get him out of here. “Kota, go downstairs and tell

checks my dilation and helps me into a new dress for the

panic mode, Agnes, Rionna,

y-you even

I laugh, cupping his cheeks to calm him down. “I’m fine,” I murmur, breathing in and out slowly

his panic

“But I’m going to be in a lot

on a

Alpha?” he asks

my Zane today because I am going to hate you for

you to love me

I still

Kota while the girls accompany Zane and I to the hospital

gowns to change into. Almost immediately, the contractions grow in intensity and I know Zane

insist when I notice him grimacing in pain

contraction.

head. “Y-you’re in pain…

at him but the

my dilation. “Goddess, I hate you

my hair

Luna,” the doctor smiles. “It looks like it’s time to push. I need you

“Atta girl, that’s

into position and Zane stays by

start pushing,” Dr. Meghan instructs and I squeeze Zane’s hand as I push with

might.

squeezing my

will actually kill you,”

he finally puts

now take a deep breath and we’ll go

I once again hunker down to push. Zane grimaces as I crush his

Dr Meghan sighs. “Give

sweat on my forehead and I let out a loud scream as I push,

again,” Dr Meghan instructs as I

push again, pain ripping through my body as

scream.