The Silent Alpha novel Chapter 92

“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 Ihad 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." I immediately 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 I 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 cunt," she scoffs as I burst into laughter.

"You look like a bloody princess with all your ..." She gestures to my entire body and grumbles.

"You didn’t say anything!" I giggle.

"Yeah well I’m tired and ran out of words," she mutters, curling up in my arms and kissing my belly.

"You’ve been in there for quite a while, little one," she murmurs to my baby.

"Any plans on coming out soon? Your aunty Gwen would like to meet you so I can teach you how to terrorize your mummy."

"Gee, thanks," I mutter, Gwen smiling like a fool.

"I'll be sure to return the favor in two months."

"Oh goddess, don’t remind me," She mutters.

"I’m already over being pregnant.I don’t think I will last another two months.These cravings are awful and my gods, the hormones! Last night, I burst into tears when Salavador ate one of my fries.I bloody offered it to him in the first place!" she cries.

"I scared him half to death because I couldn’t stop sobbing! Poor bastard just sat there shaking like a leaf bringing me all kinds of snacks.I’m an awful person," she laughs.

"I thoroughly enjoyed his fear!"

"Pregnancy just makes me horny," I sigh, Gwen rolling her eyes at me.

"I just see Zane and jump him like 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 of him." Gwen chuckles to herself.

"Men.They truly are at our mercy, aren’t they?"

"Indeed," I laugh, caressing her belly.

"Are you nervous at all? The first pup is always the scariest."

Guinevere returned from her trip not too long ago and to my pleasant surprise, came back with a baby growing in her belly.She’s been staying in Lluvia Blanca for the time being and despite loving her mate, I know she’s afraid of settling down and being a mother.

"I’m terrified," she admits in a whisper.

"I never thought I would ever have a child," she shrugs.

"Much less with a wolf"

"It’s alright to be afraid," I reply.

"Just take it one day at a time.You have me and Salvador, and this entire kingdom at your disposal, okay? You’re not on your own anymore no matter how much you like to think you are."

"I know," she smiles.

"But I-"

"Mommy! Mommy! Look what I made!" Kota squeals as he bursts into the room and pounces on the bed to show mea string of pine cones.

"Look, Mommy! It’s for Baby!"

"Oh how lovely," Gwen says, taking the string from Kota’s hands.

"These will look wonderful in Baby’s room.Do you know what tree they’re from?" she asks, the pup nodding his head proudly.

"The Koyah tree," he smiles, Guinevere bursting into laughter.

"It’s Sequoia, Kota," she corrects him.

"Like this.It’s the biggest tree in the world and one of the strongest," she explains, Kota crawling onto her lap and petting her belly as he listens.

"They are so powerful that their cones can only open with fire!"

"Woah!" Kota gasps, examining the cones with his fingers.

"Pretty cool, huh?’ Gwen smiles.

"The heat makes their cones dry out and POP! Out come the little seeds to grow into new trees."

"The cone has babies?" Kota gasps with delight.

" Mommy-"

I feel a trickle between my legs and Kota looks down at the growing wet spot on my bed.

"Uh-oh Mommy! You peed on the bed!"

"Talia?" Gwen asks, pulling Kota off to keep him dry.

" Was that-"

"Yeah, my water just broke,"

I groan, feeling another contraction ripple through my abdomen and across my back.I breathe in and out slowly and force myself to sit up.

"I should have shaved my legs," I sigh tiredly, throwing my legs over the bed.

"Tal, I think that is the least of your worries, love," Gwen chuckles nervously.

"Just because I am a wolf, doesn't mean my legs have to have fur," I mutter, turning to my pup and looking for an excuse to get him out of here.

"Kota, go downstairs and tell Nonna to call Daddy, okay?" He nods and runs away while Gwen checks my dilation and helps me into a new dress for the hospital.

Within minutes, Zane bursts through the door in full panic mode, Agnes, Rionna, Kota, and Nikki flooding the room.

"A-Are 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 are the baby’s things? I-I knew I shouldn’t have left-"