CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Lara woke up with a big smile, her mood flying in the sky. She felt so good, for some reason.

She opened her eyes and realised she was in Nate's bed. Oh, that explained a lot about her mood. However, where was he?

She remembered they lay together, talking about something completely unrelated. Maybe sport, or cinema.

Most likely, he was already up and functioning. She turned to the side and decided to wait for the alarm to ring under the blanket, cuddling in the warmth.

A few images, mostly feelings and sounds, crossed her mind. Oh, she had a wet dream that night. It wasn't so weird, given that she slept next to a handsome man. Yet, she couldn't remember the details... What a shame. She knew it made her feel good, but she couldn't remember anything more than that.

Just like dreams used to be, that one was brief and made her sigh. She knew she liked what she had envisioned.

«Oh, jeez,» she murmured, rubbing her eyes. What time was it? How early did she wake up that day?

She stretched her arm and reached for her phone. She blinked while staring at the screen, taking her time to understand the numbers.

«Nine!» she explained.

Oh, not exactly.

«Nine fifty!?»

Why hadn't her alarm rung? And why hadn't Nate called her before leaving? She knew his schedule: he had an appointment at half past eight that day. He already was in the company.

«Damn it, you'll hear me out,» she murmured while storming out and reaching her room.

There, she noticed the cubs were gone. Nate's car wasn't in the garden. They had left her behind!

She had spent half of her working time sleeping, so there was nothing she could do to save the day. As such, she decided to take her time and relax. She could apply a face mask, paint her nails... Something like that.

After all, it was just a forced day off. Something deep in her heart told her it wouldn't be the last one. She'd better get used to it.

«You moron.» She cursed under her breath for the whole time, choosing nail paint and storming towards the garden.

She might as well let her hair dry with the breeze and enjoy the scented trees and flowers Melanie was so careful to maintain.

She found Nate's mother drinking herbal tea under the gazebo, and she considered twice whether to disturb her peace.

«Good morning, dear,» Melanie said, startling Lara. «Come have a cup with me.»

«You don't seem surprised to see me here,» she replied while pouring herself some tea. The scent was inviting. She hadn't had breakfast because of fury and, as her emotions were returning to normal, she was starting to feel hunger.

«You and Nate spent the night in the same room, didn't you?»

Lara's cheeks changed colour, and she bit her lip in embarrassment. Did everyone know already?

«Male wolves think we women are like dolls: easy to break and exhausted after a little exercise,» Melanie commented. «I'm not so surprised that he one-sidedly decided to leave you at home. He resembles his father more than he'll ever admit. But it's not a bad thing, all aspects considered.»

«It's not... It's not like that,» Lara stuttered. «I guess Nate didn't want to wake me, and most likely, the alarm didn't ring. I'm not a kid who needs him to call me in the morning, right?»

«Oh, dear,» Melanie chuckled. «No matter whether something happened or not, he's responsible for you when you sleep in his bed. He should have called you if the alarm didn't ring. And he'll make a lot of decisions in your stead if you don't make him stop. It's his nature, and he doesn't do it on purpose. You just need to make him realise, and he will eventually stop.»

«How... How do you know that I'm so angry about that?»

«Alphas have similar traits and habits. Especially when they are powerful, handsome, and also rich. They don't hear the word 'no' many times, you know?»

«It's not the decision, the problem,» she said. «It's that I wasn't asked.»

Melanie sighed. Nate was her son, and she would have preferred to defend him. Yet, if he wanted to keep his woman for life, he needed to work a little harder.

«I was surprised, though. The pups followed him without stories. After he said you were going to rest longer, they got ready and went with him.»

«Just like that? No interrogatory? No suspicions?»

«They didn't sense you were in his room... I guess you two were lucky this time. There's also this extreme jealousy, from the pups, and you need to solve it. But it will get better with time, I guess. I remember the first days they would check on you every few minutes. Now, they're more relaxed.»

«I don't know how to solve it,» Lara admitted. «I've talked with them quite a few times, and it didn't help. I think the better way is to wait for the twins to accept it on their own. As for Nate... I don't know; I'm a little worried about confronting him. Even if I'm angry.»

«Oh, it will come naturally, dear. You'll see it in a few hours. You'll scold him properly when he comes back. And, don't let him stop you before you finish. He will try triggering your pity. Don't let him, or you risk losing the battle. It's not about staying or going, Lara. It's about what kind of life you want for yourself. I was in your position, once, and I wouldn't have got out of this house if I didn't fight for my place. The males of the Woods family are born a little arrogant.»

«Nate is not arrogant,» Lara pointed out. «He knows how to admit mistakes, and he apologises when he thinks it's the case. It's not arrogance, rather... He just finds it natural to command everyone. It might be normal for wolves to follow his commands as if they were their own wishes, but I am human. I can't help it.»

«It's not because you're human,» Melanie pointed out.

Alpha's mates were pretty stubborn creatures on their own.