The Silent Alpha (Natalia)

Chapter 12: Turmoil

***Natalia***

Zane leaves to collect his things and Agnes from Nikki and Micah’s place, giving me the chance to really think about what I just agreed to.I head to the bathroom to splash cool water on my face and neck, letting out a huge sigh as I wipe the sweat from my brow.

My reflection mocks my pathetic situation, laughing at me for accepting yet another wolf into my life.

‘Don’t let him get too close” I remind myself.

‘ Every kind gesture, every kiss, every gentle caress of my face…it will all be a lie.He doesn’t really love me.He doesn’t care about me no matter how much he says he does”

Tears spring to my eyes as I think about all the times Christian looked me in the eyes with such false sincerity, professing his undying love for me all the while f*****g my sister behind my back.

Wiping the tears that stain my cheeks, I inspect my reflection, my eyes scrutinizing every imperfection.

Dark circles hug my eyes from my restless night.

Fearful that Zane would find me, I called out of work this morning, keeping Kota home instead of taking him to daycare.

Of course, my attempts proved futile.

The wolf found me without much effort.

‘I am not good enough to fall in love with anyways” I shrug to myself, drying off my face.

‘I couldn’t even keep my husband interested in me before he looked elsewhere…Perhaps Zane will also find me inadequate as a mate and move on as well..” I nod at my reflection reassuringly.

‘Yes.Sooner or later, he’ll stop liking me and I’ll be free”

Having given myself the pep talk of the century, I hurry to find little Kota playing in the backyard and call him to me.He happily waddles over to me with a grin on his face.

“Where’s Zane, mommy?” he asks, looking behind me into the living room.

“Can he come play with me?”

I crouch down and lift him into my arms, carrying him over to the living room and sitting him down on the sofa.I smooth down his hair and cup his chubby cheeks in my hands.

“Kota,” I say, forcing a smile for him.

“What do you think about Zane staying with us … just for a little bit?”

His eyes widen with joy.

“Yeah!” He cries, jumping up on his feet and clapping his hands.

“Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”

“You like that idea?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

Kota jumps onto the couch and bursts into laughter.

“Yeah,” he giggles, resting his chin in his hands.

“And what about Agnes? Can she stay here too?” I ask.

Kota bounces on his toes, shooting his fingers up in a happy I pout at him.

“I thought I made the best cookies…”

“No,” he grins, shaking his head and jumping up like a rabbit.

I feign hurt at his honesty and he rushes up to kiss me square on the lips.

“But Mommy makes the best pancakes!” He chirps.

Kota suddenly stretches out his arms like a plane and flies over to his toy chest, pulling out his favorite toy train and action figures.

“What are you doing?” I ask as he makes a small pile of toys.

“To play with Zane,” he shrugs as if that were the most obvious answer.

Worry fills my heart as I realize that Kota would be affected by Zane’s imminent departure.

I would need to do everything in my power to make sure Zane rejects me quickly and leaves us both in one piece.

“Remember, Kota,” I sigh, crawling over to him.

“He’s only here for a little while.He won’t be here forever.Entiendes? understand ?”I ask.

He nods and continues to make a pile of toys for Zane when he arrives.

Seeing no point in explaining any further, I rush off to the guest room and ensure it’s comfortable for Agnes, changing the sheets and myself to share my space with a man.

and make room in the closet for

I stare at the Queen

was large enough to fit us both but we would inevitably touch during our

me in my pajamas makes me

wish their Moon Goddess would leave me be and not punish me so! I readjust the pillows and an idea pops into my

on until the sun begins to set in the horizon and a small part of me hopes perhaps Zane had changed

the thought enters my mind, the doorbell rings, my heart sinking knowing

and rush over to the door, taking a deep breath as I open

Nikki and Micah waiting just behind

my saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to

assume are their belongings while Niki and Micah carry

rushing up to the man with

“You’re here!”

large man throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of

Kota over.Would I fall so easily for him too? *No, I shake

I’ll Be strong.I have to be strong for both of

“Sorry we’re late,”

“but we promised Agnes we’d take her to town to go shopping for more clothes.They…they didn’t bring much

room while Micah

we reach the room, I turn to Zane and have him translate for

your room” I

bed.The bathroom is down the hall to the left,” I say, pointing

find it impossible to hate her.She was

widening as she takes

he smiles back at her, nodding

it is, her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt I put on

eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with

else to do, I wrap my arms

at us, leaning his head against Zane’s

crying?”

to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting Kota’s

flushed pink in

room

I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and turning

Kota down and follows close behind me, Kota

Zane, I force my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to

bond, I mutter to

at my room and I point to

out these two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things,” I shrug.I

arrangement, I go

sleeping over there,” I smirk,

dumbfounded at the change

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

we share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify that we had to

presses his lips together in what I can only assume is annoyance and nods solemnly, knowing he could not force me to share my

this small adjustment

wolf, a stranger no less, but I could not stomach the idea of sleeping in

his entire species disgusted

that the formalities are all out of the way, I will leave you to unpack,” I

in the living room, Kota inspecting the tattoos in Micah’s arms with

as he hears

a wolf on his

at Micah’s

say, forcing a smile for

comes

stopped thinking of last night and the possibility that my friends were not who I thought they were.I decide to bite the bullet and ask

you also …” I gulp, looking over at Kota who

Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping

glances before

know he’s your mate

feel a cold anger tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I

were everywhere, infecting every aspect of my life like

asks,

adds quickly, as if to clarify that they were not the monsters they

would never dream of hurting you or Kota.” I

I won’t hurt

what every werewolf promised before they sank their teeth into your back when you weren’t looking.I nod

you,” I reply coldly

done is done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask

I ask, my heart in

Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I would need to leave at once if

shakes his

only wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues