The Silent Alpha novel Chapter 27

***Natalia*** 

"Now it's just you and me," I smile at Zane, the wolf staring at me with anxious eyes.

"Relax," I chuckle.

"I don’t bite."

The nervous look never leaves his eyes as I drag him back to the park.

During the first part of our date with Kota, I watched Zane carefully, noticing how excited he got over such simple things like Dippin Dots or the disco music that was playing during the rides.

It’s obvious this is his first time seeing an amusement park before, leaving me to wonder what else he had yet to experience.I take him to the nearest roller coaster, explaining to him the thrill of dropping and rising ona train.

He doesn’t seem convinced by my explanation, but he nonetheless humors me and gets on the train.

There’s a slight hint of fear in Zane’s eyes as the ride operator locks us into our seats, the automated announcements telling us to keep our arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times.I reach out to hold Zane’s hand and comfort him, interlocking our fingers to let him know we were going to be okay.

The train shoots out of the station, Zane’s eyes widening as we rush down a track, making a sudden sharp turn and climbing up the first hill.

"Hold on tight!" I squeal, growing excited for the drop.

The anticipation grows as the entire park shrinks before our eyes, the sun setting off in the horizon.

The pretty view distracts Zane temporarily before we reach the apex and look down at the drop.

"Oh f**k,"

Someone behind us shouts before we race down the hill, a camera flashing as we zoom past it territied and amused by the sharp turns and sudden drops.

A huge grin is plastered on his face when we get off and I can tell he wants to ride again.

We make our way to the photo booth at the end of the ride, and I laugh my butt off when I see our picture.

I’m smiling like a lunatic with my arms raised in the air while Zane has a look of absolute terror, his eyes and mouth wide open in fright.

"I'm buying it," I giggle, Zane’s ears turning red in embarrassment.

"And I’m going to frame it." He shakes his head in horror, as if willing me not to buy it but I give him a stern look.

"This is a picture of your very first roller coaster," I sigh.

"And I want to remember being the one who shared that moment with you."

His entire face turns redder than a tomato, the edges of his lips slightly curving up in a little smile.

Satisfied that I can now keep the picture, I hand the money to the clerk and receive two copies of our photo.

"Hehe, now I get to remember the look on your face forever," I tease him, shoving the pictures in my purse before he can take them from me.

We go on a few more roller coasters, Zane nervous about each one but coming out of each ride with a contagious smile on his lips.I spot a cotton candy stand and buy two big clouds of cotton for each of us, Zane staring at the large pink cloud with a puzzled look on his face.

"Open your mouth," I laugh, tearing off a piece of his cotton.

Zane hesitantly follows my orders, slowly hanging his mouth open.

"Now, stick your tongue out."

He once again does as he’s told and I place the little cotton fluff on his tongue, his eyes lighting up like a child at Christmas as the candy melts in his mouth, leaving the sugar taste in its wake lutty from my candy.

He holds it out to me and I raise an eyebrow at him.

"You want to feed me?" l ask.

He turns bright red again and lowers his gaze in shame, guilt quickly filling my mind.

Jeez, Talia, why are you such a b***h? I scold myself, opening my mouth and leaning in close to him.

His hand shakes a little as he deposits the little fluff in my mouth, the sugar spreading across my tastebuds.He smiles nervously so I offer hima smile in return and wiggle my eyebrows to ease the awkward tension between us.

"We should try the Ferris wheel," I suggest, pulling him towards the giant wheel at the end of the park.

A young operator greets us and lets us into the little cage, Zane gripping onto the sides when it begins to rock upon our ascension.

"Relax, wolf," I chuckle.

"It's supposed to rock a little.Just sit back and enjoy the view."

Almost as if on cue, we reach the top of the Ferris wheel overlooking the entire park, his breath hitching when he sees the incredible view.

"It’s pretty, isn’t it?"

I sigh, looking up at the glittering stars decorating the sky.

"I could stay up here for hours just watching the stars."

I feel his gaze settle on me and I turn to look at him, my face flushing when I see the tender look in his eyes.

Turning my face to hide my blush, I sit back in our seats and watch the moon for a bit, listening to the laughter coming from the park.

Zane timidly inches closer to me, stretching his arms out in a yawn.

I do my best to hold back my laughter when he carefully drapes his arm behind my seat, knowing his face is probably bright red as he avoids my stare.

Seeing no real harm in indulging him on his little quest, I lean my body chest.

His body tenses with tear as I trace patterns on his broad chest, my heart growing heavy knowing he is likely suffering from trauma like the girls at the clinic.

"Thank you for today," I murmur, avoiding his eyes for fear that I might actually cave and kiss him.

"I’ve never seen Kota so happy.That’s the best gift anyone could have ever given me."

I curl up at his side, allowing him to wrap his arms around me.

He feels so warm and strong, and for a brief moment, I allow myself to imagine what it would be like to be his.

At first, the idea is calming, bringing me a sense of comfort knowing Kota would have a dad to look up to...but as with every potential partner I take interest in, the looming fear of betrayal casts a shadow of doubt.

While! could see that Zane and Kota get along just fine, one day Zane will want a pup of his own.

What will happen to us when I struggle to give him one? Will he find someone else, leaving me to pick up all the pieces of my heart again? 

We go several rounds on the Ferris wheel, the thought lingering in the back of my mind serving as a gentle reminder to be careful.

I do not know Zane after all, and it is best I practice caution before diving in headfirst into another mate bond.

It’s not long before my hunger gets the best of me, and I text Aurora to let her know that we’re ready to come home.

We make our way to the alley, the portal opening to a candlelit picnic by the lake.

Aurora hurriedly lights the last of the candles set up ona large stone that will be serving as our dinner table, her Gamma, Evan, watching her in boredom.

"That’s enough candles, Aurora," Evan groans.

"They’re already here."

Aurora hushes him, turning to us with a smile.

"We’re leaving, I promise! disappearing in an instant look around at the incredible set up, admiring the attention to detail.There’s a large blanket on the ground with pillows and dishes scattered around it.A basket with a delicious scent coming from it sits in the middle of the blanket, a bottle of wine in ice resting beside it.

Pretty fairy lights illuminate the grass surrounding the picnic, the lake providing a pretty backdrop for our dinner.

"Did you do all of this?" I ask, wondering how much planning went into this arrangement.

Zane nods, taking my hand and leading me to the stone table.

He quickly arranges the plates and cutleries, producing two wine glasses for us.

I watch in awe as he pulls out containers of fruits, cheeses, macaroni salads, sandwiches, fried chicken, cookies, and even a small chocolate cake, allowing him to serve me.

He watches me while I eat, as if to see if I’m enjoying the food.

"This is delicious," I say as I finish up my plate.

"Who made the macaroni salad?" He slowly spells out Agnes’s name with his fingers and I mentally pat myself on my back for understanding him.

I had been practicing my signs over the past few days with the girls at the clinic.

"Well then I need this recipe because this is absolutely delicious."

Zane puffs out his chest a little in pride at my compliment to his mother, bringing a tiny smile to my face.I like that his relationship with his mother is so close.

The silence once again takes over and we both awkwardly pick at our cake.

It’s difficult keeping up a conversation with a man who does not speak and I find myself running out of things to say with his simple replies.

He can tell I’m getting anxious and it seems to only make him nervous.the only real way we can: by laying all of our cards out on the table.

I clear my throat to catch his attention and put away my dishes back into the picnic basket.