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.

say

“You’ve been in there for quite a while, little one,” she murmurs

“I’ll

SU

fries. I bl**dy offered it to him in the first place!” she cries. “I scared him half to death because I couldn’t stop sobbing! Poor b**tard just sat there shaking like a leaf bringing me all kinds of snacks. I’m

“I thoroughly enjoyed his

a starved wolf. He could come home exhausted from work and I will literally tear off his pants and climb on him. No foreplay, no kisses, just ride him until I’ve had my fill so I can roll over to sleep. It confuses the f**k out

herself. “Men. They truly are at

I laugh, caressing her belly. “Are you nervous at all? The first pup is always

a baby growing in her belly. She’s been

and being

admits in a whisper. “I never thought I would

wolf.”

be afraid,” I reply, “Just take it one day at a time. You have me and Salvador, and this

okay? You’re not on your own anymore no matter how much you

know,” she

as he bursts

of pine cones. “Look,

how lovely,” Gwen says, taking the s ring from Kota’s hands. “These will look wonderful in

tree,” he smiles, Guinevere bursting into

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

gasps, examining the

huh?’ Gwen smiles. “The heat makes their cones dry out and POP! Out come the little

into new trees.”

babies?” Kota gasps with

and Kota looks down at the growing wet

peed on the

asks, pulling Kota off to keep him dry.

another contraction ripple through my abdomen and across my back. I breathe in and out slowly and force myself

think that is the least of your worries, love,” Gwen

my pup and looking for an excuse to get him out of here. “Kota, go downstairs and tell

and runs away while Gwen checks my dilation and

Zane bursts through the door in full panic mode,

y-you okay?” Zane asks. “W-where does it h-hurt? l-is the baby okay? Should y-you even be s-standing? W-where

fine,” I murmur, breathing in and out slowly with him. “It’s okay… We’re just having a baby,” I whisper, kissing the tip of his

a b-baby,” he repeats, his panic slowly melting away

to be okay,” I add. “But I’m going to be in

on a

be an Alpha?” he

head, Just be my Zane today because I am going to hate you

love me through it

still hear

girls accompany Zane and I to the hospital for the delivery.

immediately, the contractions

so you don’t feel it,” I insist when I notice him grimacing in pain

contraction.

He shakes his head. “Y-you’re in pain… So l-I’ll endure it with y-you,” he

laugh at him but the sincerity

hate you for this,” I groan, the doctor chuckling to herself as a number of nurses bring in equipment

whispers, tying my hair up into a ponytail

time to push. I need you to hunker

“Atta girl,

position and Zane stays

Dr. Meghan instructs and I squeeze Zane’s hand as

might.

f**k,“ Zane whimpers, squeezing my

out, I will actually kill you,” I mutter, glaring at him. “Put your walls

voice frightens him and he finally puts up his wall to block out

now take a deep breath and we’ll

I crush his hand for the next three pushes and I curse him under breath for

the head here,” Dr Meghan sighs. “Give me

and I let out a loud scream as I push,

as I throw my head against the

as I push again, pain ripping through my body as

scream.