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.

two drawers for Zane and make room in the closet

at the Queen sized bed I

fit us both but

of this man touching me

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

begins to set in the horizon and a small part

enters my mind, the doorbell rings,

over to the door, taking

smile politely at me, Nikki and Micah waiting just behind them to be

saliva will soothe my dry throat, stepping off to the side to let them

with what I assume are their belongings

the man with his

“You’re here!”

man throws his bag over his shoulder and bends down flip at the sight of my son running into Zane’s arms so freely and

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

Be strong.I have to be strong for both of

“Sorry we’re late,”

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

her room while Micah and Niki begin unloading the shopping

I turn to Zane and have him

is your room”

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

and I find it impossible to hate her.She was

signs, her eyes widening as

he smiles

her hand feeling the soft fabric of the quilt

wipes at her eyes and rushes to hug me, my body stiffening It was just a simple room with a large window looking into the

else to do, I wrap my arms around Agnes and accept her

leaning his head against Zane’s

crying?” He asks

turn to Zane for an explanation but he remains silent as ever, only patting

pulls away, her cheeks flushed pink in

turns back to the room and begins unpacking her

me,” I say curtly, gesturing to Zane and

behind me, Kota running down the hall to get

my thoughts elsewhere as I feel the urge to turn around

I mutter to

room and I point to the

these two drawers for you and left some space in the closet for you to hang your things,” I shrug.I turn to find him staring at

to clarify the bedding arrangement, I go to the closet

there,” I

completely dumbfounded at

“What?” I shrug indifferently.

share the ‘bedroom’ It did not specify

annoyance and

almost feel bad for making this small adjustment but it could not

wolf, a stranger no less, but I

and his entire

now that the formalities are all out of the way, I will

find Kota chattering away with Micah in the living room,

He chirps as he hears me walk

his arm!

Micah’s tattoos and

cool,” I say, forcing a smile

as she comes in with the final shopping

were not who I thought they were.I

…” I gulp, looking over at Kota who

like Zane and Agnes?” I ask, clasping and unclasping my hands

and Nikki exchange glances before Niki sighs

know he’s your mate

tremble under my skin, not at their lie but at the fact that I had never been truly free of werewolves as

aspect of my life like

you upset with us?” Niki asks, a worried look on her

quickly, as if to clarify

never dream of hurting you or Kota.” I almost

I won’t hurt

they sank their teeth into your back when you weren’t

not mad at you,” I reply coldly

what’s done is done.” Niki shifts nervously on her feet and I ask a question that kept me up last

any packs nearby?” I ask, my heart in

the Silver Crest wolves came looking for me.I

shakes

wolves in Poulsbo.Nikki and I are rogues just like Zane