CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«That is Abby Brown, isn't it?» Lara whispered to Roxy.

«I didn't know she had such bad taste,» the other woman replied. «I don't think I can listen to her songs anymore.»

«Is she also a wolf?»

«No, she's human. But she has a nice voice...»

«Oh, damn it! I was already going to ask about her pack,» Lara chuckled. «But is it so... chill? A wolf, dating a human, I mean. I thought it was a little forbidden or... Unusual?»

«It's totally fine, as long as you aren't discovered. Wolves know from the start what date is going to bring further developments. It doesn't happen too often that we fall in love with humans. Except for some exceptions, of course.»

They both glanced at Nate before returning to their chat.

«Is it something typical of Alphas?»

«Not of Alphas,» Roxy pointed out. «It's typical for CEOs.»

«Is that man also a CEO? I didn't know... I knew nothing about him, actually, except that he has some kind of rivalry with our pack.»

«He's a madman. Since the beginning, he's been fixed with taking revenge on Nate for things... There has been a war between the packs more than twenty years ago. Then, he did kill our Alpha six years ago. Alpha Nate, however, managed to obtain and force peace. He focused on growing the company and keeping us safe rather than looking for his own revenge.»

«I know that already,» Lara said. «So, was it... Mayford?»

«Yes.»

«Do they also have a company?»

«Blue Moon. They are doing well, but not on our levels. Even though they are rising and, among humans, they're getting a good reputation.»

«I didn't know Alphas could date humans with so much ease,» Lara confessed. «Even in my situation...»

She hid a chuckle, realising how her words sounded.

The two women turned to Nate and Bass, and they found them exchanging opinions on something. Sensing their gazes, they suddenly stopped and stared with blank expressions.

Roxy was too dumbfounded to even lift her brow or crook her mouth. What was going on? It was the first time she saw her husband and their Alpha act like that.

«What were you two talking about?» she probed.

Their faces turned even paler, making her realise it was a first among firsts.

«Were you talking about Abby Brown, by any chance?» Lara inquired with a wily smirk.

The way the two had exchanged an approving look among themselves had made her think they were doing just what she and Roxy had: gossiping. Or, most likely, commenting on Abby's perfect butt. It was something even Lara had always thought, and the singer would wear dresses to highlight that part of her.

The more she thought about it, the more she was sure she had guessed right. Moreover, Nate's face was just so funny!

She felt the urge to tease him a little. Just a little, though. Nothing too serious. She didn't really want to hear him praise another woman's body.

«So, what do you think?» she asked, tilting her head.

«Her songs are good,» Bass Cooper said with a proud smile. He thought - oh, strong word... - that he was getting himself out of a crisis. He even chuckled, happy that he came up with such a good answer.

Still, he glanced behind Roxy for a single second. The woman followed the direction of his gaze and understood what Lara had known for a while.

While one was chuckling about it as if it wasn't a problem, the other woman wasn't as diplomatic with such matters.

«You were looking at her butt, you pervert!» she whispered, angry at her husband. «You'll hear me out once we go home! I won't bring you anywhere with me if you act like this... Don't you prefer me better, ah? Are you looking for another mate?»

She even discreetly pinched his forearm.

The man's proud smile disappeared, leaving space for a desperate expression. The sad curve of his lips made Lara feel sorry for him, but it didn't work on Roxy.

«I don't prefer her,» he said, massaging the place where his wife had pinched him. It did hurt like crazy when she did that... What for? He had just glanced, for goodness! And Nate had done the same!

Why wasn't Nate getting the same harsh treatment?

Oh, but Bass had the suspicion that Nate would enjoy it if Lara became all angry and violent. He didn't know why, and he didn't feel like saying it out aloud. Most likely, he was wrong, just like he was wrong most of the time.

«So,» Lara whispered to Nate, «isn't her butt just perfect? I read she spends one hour every day doing exercises to keep it like that.»

«Hm-mh,» Nate hummed, starting to sweat. Why... Why? Couldn't he just get pinched like Bass? Why was his mate going to join in the stupid comment he did for the first time in his life?

Roxy didn't miss the situation. She calmed down, realising something odd was going on. More than her husband's fake excuses and lies about how he wouldn't do it again.

Alpha Nate, the man without a heart, had looked at a woman and even laughed with Bass while commenting on her.

More than being worrisome, it felt relieving. So, he also knew how to act... Normal? Even though it was a little annoying, it was something that every young man would do, sometimes.

Not that she and Lara were any better... They just didn't have time to comment on her figure. They lacked the time, but their mates had been faster.

Was it due to Lara? Had she woken up something in Nate?

It was as if, all of a sudden, he had come back to life. After years of acting cold and detached, Roxy had started thinking it was his character. Yet, Bass had told her, a couple of times, that it was more complicated than that.

And, once in his life, he had been right!

Nathaniel Woods wasn't cold or detached.. He was dead inside; the pain of losing his mate had covered everything else and, now that Lara was back, he was waking up from a long sleep.