The Silent Alpha

ok I aeR EE

Agnes and I spend the morning with Kota, Rosalie, Rosalie’s baby Emile, and Evan, fighting our own anxiety from our lack of activity.

In all my life, I had never had a moment to rest, to just sit and watch a movie or play games without a care in the world.

Even if there was chance that I completed my chores, my mind and self-hatred would torture me relentlessly.

As a pup, my father put me through rigorous schooling and speech therapies to make me the best Alpha I could be.

Of course, I could never live up to his expectations.

He would make me stand before him once a week to recite the history of our pack or the laws that governed it and the kingdom.

If I faltered in my pronunciation, I would be struck with a whip.

There was never a day that I made it out of a recital without shedding blood.

My mother would weep sorrowfully, begging my father helplessly to have mercy.

She would sometimes be beaten herself for attempting to shield me.

It hurt my soul to fail her so miserably but no matter how hard I concentrated, my tongue would only grow stiffer, and my words would slur like a drunk.

After I was demoted to Omega status, I became a field hand, carrying weapons for the warriors in training or helping maintain the equipment in the hot sun or cold winters.

As I grew older, I learned many things to make myself useful such as plumbing, mechanics, painting and other basic maintenance jobs.

Agnes is no different.

With her hearing gone, she had to make herself useful to earn her meals.

No one wants an extra mouth to feed.

She was beaten relentlessly by other Omegas if she slipped up.

She learned to be quick in the kitchen, never resting for fear she would be cast out or killed by the Omegas.

So, as we sit comfortably on the couch watching Aladdin with Kota, Agnes and I find it hard to rest, wondering if at any moment, this pack’s kindness would run out.

Even Grayson could not find the words to soothe my racing thoughts.

Feeling myself about to break, I get up quietly and search for a pen and paper before approaching Rosalie with a note.

"Are you sure there is nothing we can do to be of service 2" Rosalie reads aloud before raising an eyebrow at me.

"Are you bored?" She asks nervously.

"W-we can go to the park if you like.Kota could stretch his legs and play with some other pups.Let me just get the stroller for Emile," she says as Evan gets up from his spot to find said stroller. shake my head at her, writing out my response.

"We just don't want to be a burden."She stares at the note before smiling up at me.

"You are our guests, not a burden,” She chuckles.

"Gwen asked for this favor and need," She smiles.

"Just relax and enjoy yourselves. Take this a small vacation while Gwen finishes up her work."

Just then we hear the door open, and Natalia appears on her own, a thoughtful look in her eyes. "You're back!" Rosalie chirps.

"How was the walk? Did you see all of River Moon?" She asks with a cheerful smile.

"Don't let him stay in there too long,” she says quietly.

"He'll catch a cold.He likes to splash you so be firm and have him help you clean up if he makes a mess.He needs to learn that there are consequences to his actions.”

She disappears down the hall, leaving me alone with the cheeky pup grinning at me mischievously. He eagerly undresses and climbs into the bubble filled tub, grabbing a handful of bubbles and throwing them up in the air.

I make quick work to wash him so that he can enjoy the bubbles before the water turns cold.

As Talia forewarned, Kota tries to splash me many times, but I grab his two little hands and place them over his cheeks.

"N-no m-no-more, Kota," I say sternly.

Before he can protest, I pull the plug in the tub, the water slowly draining down the hole much to Kota's dismay glance at the door and listen for any sounds of footsteps.

Satisfied that we are alone, I dress the little boy in a pair of blue pajamas.

"I- 1- t-think yo-your mommy is s-sad,” I whisper to him, sliding his socks over his toes.

He sucks on his thumb, his blue and brown eyes blinking at me.

"Why is mommy sad?" He asks, a patient look in his eyes.

"I-I thi-thi-think s-she miss-misses home,” I reply.

"Oh," he sighs.

"But I like it here.” I hide my smile and finish putting on his other sock.

"I-I like i-it t-t-too," I sigh

"B-but ca-can you gi-ve mommy a h-hug for m-me?" I ask.

"I-t will make h-her feel be-bet-better.” Kota nods, jumping off the bed and running down the hall. For a pup, he sure is fast, I grumble as I race after him.You're just out of shape, Grayson jeers as I round the corner down the stairs.! find Talia on the couch, Kota climbing onto her lap and wrapping his arms around her neck.

For the first time today, she smiles happily, burying her face in his hair and inhaling his clean scent. She tickles his sides, and he erupts into the most adorable laughter, Talia laughing with him. Goddess, could they be more beautiful? appearing more comfortable this time around with the wolves.She even has an entire private conversation with her Majesty telepathically, smiling to her on occasion.

"Would it be possible for me to volunteer with them?" Talia asks out loud.

"I don't have much experience with their issues, but I'd like to help.” Aurora smiles brightly at her. "I would be honored to have you join. won't be at the clinic tomorrow unless needed but my sister, Celina and my aunt Valentina will be running it in my place.They can show you what needs to be done if that's alright.”

Talia nods enthusiastically, seeming eager to start whatever work she is referring to.

My heart sinks

Talia was going to start helping around the pack while Agnes and I remained useless to the Queen. "This work could really help your mate," Aurora’s voice invades my head.

"I'm helping her just as much as she’s helping me so don't feel bad.”

"Is there nothing we can do?" I ask, desperately wanting to be of use.

"Agnes is an excellent cook, and you can put me anywhere you like.I promise I'll learn whatever it is you need me to do."

A look of sadness washes over her face as she looks at me and Agnes.

She turns to Rosalie, and they exchange a few words via mind link when Rosalie suddenly jumps up and squeals.

"Yes!" She cries.

"Rosalie has been on maternity leave for months but would like I tostart working from home again.She could use help with the baby.Would Agnes be interested in being Emile’s nanny for the time being?" I explain the job to Agnes and she eagerly accepts.

"What can I do, your Majesty?" I ask nervously.

Aurora thinks for a moment before smiling triumphantly to herself.

"You are gifted " she says gently.

"I think it's time you learned to use your gift.I believe Talia asked you to watch over her son in your agreement and I can think of no better way for you to protect that little boy than to learn to use your powers." I swallow the pool of saliva that gathered in my mouth and shift anxiously in my seat. "I have training in the morning and could use a sparring partner who doesn’t complain about me using my powers,” she smirks at Evan who pouts.

"Shut up,” he grumbles, Aurora sticking her tongue out at him.

"So will you join me for training?”

Aurora asks, ignoring Oliver's warning look.l nod reluctantly and she gives me a softened smile. "You will be fine," she whispers.

With dinner over, I jump into the shower and prepare to sleep on the floor, grabbing a pillow and blanket. set up camp beside the bed, stretching out the blanket as I best I can.l could easily sleep in another room but! remind myself that Talia still feels nervous here.

If she has another nightmare, who else will make it go away and comfort her? My breath hitches when Talia suddenly walks into the room in a nightgown, her legs and feet bare.

She wears no makeup and her brown hair hangs around her shoulders in loose curls.

Kota sleeps comfortably in her arms and she gently sets him down in the middle of the bed.

They look like angels.I shift my gaze to the ground for I am sure such beauty should not be seen by someone like me.

Talia suddenly kneels in front of me, wordlessly collecting the blanket and pillow from the ground and placing them back on the bed.

Hey, what gives? Grayson grumbles.

Are we supposed to just lay on the ground like a f*****g carpet?

"I don't want my son sleeping on the ground again,” Talia mutters as she pulls the covers back and climbs into bed beside Kota.l remain frozen in place and she lets out an annoyed sigh.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Get into bed before I change my mind!" She snaps.

My legs react before I do and I turn the lights off before scrambling into bed with Kota in between the two of us.She rolls onto her side facing Kota and pulls him closer to her like a lifeline, Kota nuzzling up to her chest.She shuts her eyes, her breathing slowing to a gentle rhythm

I can't help but stare at how beautiful she looks in her sleep, her hair tousled and clinging to her cheeks.

"Don’t make this weird," she mutters, furrowing her brows without opening her eyes.

"Just go to sleep.” My cheeks flush as I blink at her.

Grayson begs me to kiss her while her eyes are closed but I refuse.

Sharing the bed with her and her pup is more than enough for me.

I close my eyes and drift away knowing Talia and Kota are safe beside me.

Whoever Christian is, he won't come anywhere near them.l won't let him.