CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

When Lara reached the residence, it was already dinner time. The cubs were already sitting, talking with the rest of the family or observing the table with expectation.

Jaden was telling Nate about his very first football game. The two seemed to have found common ground and were focused on the conversation.

Scarlet, on the other hand, was hungry.

«The doctor said I need to eat a lot because I'm growing, grandma, but I don't want to grow up.»

«I see,» Melanie chuckled. «What can we do about it?»

«I can try not eating,» she said, but her words didn't seem convinced. And her expression was too painful to be believable.

«What a pity, Scarlet. I've roasted some beef with potatoes... Oh, but you don't even like potatoes, do you?»

«I like, I like!»

«Hmm... It would be a pity to throw this away. I was thinking about you while cooking, and now you tell me you don't want anymore?»

«I can skip eating tomorrow,» Scarlet said. «Today, I will eat and try to grow very, very little.»

«But why don't you want to grow up?»

«Because I want to stay cute.»

«Oh, but Scarlet... Isn't your mother cute?»

«She is.»

«And she has grown up a lot since her childhood. She's an adult.»

«Oh,» Scarlet realised. «Can I be adult and cute?»

«You certainly can.»

«Will my mommy hug and kiss me then?»

«Of course. You'll be her girl forever, even if you grow up.»

«If I grow up, I can help mommy. I can go to work and bring money.»

«You can do that,» Melanie sighed. Was that something a five-year-old would say? Really?

«My mommy works very hard.»

«She does.»

«She also cooks for Jaden and me. Her favourite is sweets, Nate says, but she usually prepares much more meat for Jaden and me.»

«She's thoughtful.»

«And she's very good at cooking, grandma. You should try her food one day! Oh, you're good as well...»

Melanie sighed, already used to those biased pups. Their mommy was the best, and she couldn't really disagree. Lara had brought up two wolf pups all alone. She did deserve their adoration.

Still, she was a little sorry for her son.

«Sorry for being late,» Lara said from the door. She was starving just like her cubs, and the aroma from the kitchen was making her mouth water.

«Finally!» Scarlet exclaimed. She jumped off her chair and ran to her mother. «I missed you so much, mommy!»

She hugged the woman's thighs in front of three dumbfounded wolves. Fast like lightning, Jaden reached them and did the same on her other side.

«Mommy, I missed you too! Not just Scarlet did!»

Surrounded by both sides, Lara couldn't move. She caressed her cubs' heads, surprised by their clinginess. She had thought they were getting better, but they would still act like that from time to time.

«Were you afraid she would abandon you with me?» Nate spat out from the table.

His arms were crossed, and his expression unhappy, yet Lara knew he was joking. Or, maybe, he was just hiding his discontent very well under a mask of more unhappiness.

Lara was caught in between two fires: on one side, her cubs wanted warmth. On the other, Nate was pretending to be jealous.

«Let's go eat,» she said, holding the kids' hands. «I'm very, very hungry. And you?»

«Me too,» Scarlet agreed.

She sat back next to Melanie and resumed staring at the empty centre of the table. Where was the promised roast?

«How was your day?» she asked Nate while helping Jaden sit.

Then, without warning, she bent over and pecked Nate's cheek.

Just like Samantha said, she had to act in such a way just because she wanted to. And she better made a habit out of it.

«My day wasn't bad,» Nate replied, looking her in the eye. He even smiled, happy like a child himself.

Melanie didn't miss their interaction, and she sighed in awe. Was it a good sign? Was she getting a daughter-in-law sooner than everyone thought?

«Samantha helped me choose a dress. I hope you like it... I'll show you later.»

«Good.» Nate nodded, still under the influence of her peck.

«I hope I won't hurt your image,» she chuckled.

«You wouldn't. Ever. Don't even say it while joking, Lara. My soul isn't complete without you. Nothing can be worse than that.»

Lara's blushing cheeks were beautiful, and he didn't move his eyes away even when the food was served.

A single maid was in the dining room, ready to bring what they could need. Melanie was still attentive towards the pups and would avoid having too many strangers around, even if nothing made her think the twins would be bothered.

«We should eat,» Lara said, moving her eyes on the table. She used all of her firm will to stop shamelessly staring at Nate. Why would she lose her mind so often during family meals?

She had to remember that Melanie and the twins were there, watching and potentially growling.

«I've heard from Roxy that you asked for an integration of the contract,» he said, then. «You want to work in HR in the afternoon?»

«At least for the time being. It's better than boring myself in a resting room or in your office.»

Melanie turned her attention away from Scarlet, hearing the news.

She was the one suggesting Lara to help in HR. It was the first step to becoming the Alpha female.

«Oh, it's a wonderful idea!» she exclaimed. «You will get to know the pack in a matter of days. You will see that we're not as scary, even if we're wolves.»

«I know already, Melanie,» Lara chuckled.

Nate, on the other hand, was a little conflicted. It was a good thing Lara wanted to know the pack. But why did she have to spend time with them instead of with him?

«Good,» he said, against his will. Yet, he had to look proper. Not a possessive beast.. «Very good.»