CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«What do you mean I'm not going home?» Lara inquired after a while.

She had listened to Nate's words, and she had taken a little time to understand what he wanted to say. Yet, why was he keeping her as a prisoner?

«You're in danger out there.»

«I will be more careful.»

«I'm not letting you go,» he rebuked, his eyes cold and decisive. Even the cubs shivered at that sight, but Lara didn't flinch. She was getting used to his overbearing aura.

«Ah, no?»

As expected, Nate's expression changed, and his certainties wavered.

«The pups are mine as well,» he tried, visibly attempting anything that came to mind.

«I can leave them here, indeed,» she sighed. «They're safer here than with me.»

«But you...»

«I don't want to inconvenience your mother or you. And I'm not part of your pack. Also, that man won't risk doing the same thing twice, will he?»

«But he's a madman! He will try again!»

«Nate, I've protected myself for years.»

«Not from wolves!»

«Also from wolves.»

«Wolf pups. It doesn't count.»

«Now it doesn't count? When I told you I won't be part of your pack, you said the exact opposite.»

«Don't be stubborn, Lara. Just for the time being... I'm not here to imprison you: it's only for security.»

«I don't want to,» she repeated. «I agree it's dangerous out there, but I have no intention of becoming a shut-in.»

«You won't.»

«You told me I shouldn't go to work!»

«It's because...»

«The twins will be in danger as well, but you aren't saying they should avoid kindergarten,» she pouted, crossing her arms and avoiding his gaze.

«They will be under my gaze for the whole journey from here to the company. But if you believe they should stay home, so be it...»

«No!» Scarlet exclaimed, but she covered her mouth with both hands.

She didn't want to butt in her parent's argument, but she also wanted to go to school. Even though she didn't have many interactions with the other kids, she liked observing them and - when she was bored - sneaking out and looking for Nate.

«See?» Lara said, «they don't want to be grounded either.»

Nate passed a hand through his hair, confused by Lara's actions. Why wasn't she understanding why he wanted her there? It was all to protect her. Why was she acting so stubborn?

He couldn't know what was going on in her mind, and she couldn't understand herself either. When he told her to stay inside for a couple of days, his eyes were cold and unmovable, his back straight, and his aura was dark as the night. He had talked as an Alpha, and that had made her go nuts.

Part of her knew he was right, but the way he had talked was enough to let fury take over. Her inner voice yelled not to allow him to decide. Something inside her didn't want to submit to Alpha Nate, even though her human, docile nature would have agreed with him a hundred times.

Frustrated and confused, Nate turned on his heels and left. He didn't close the door, but Lara didn't follow him. She turned to her cubs and realised that they had just fought in front of their kids. That was the number one thing to avoid when raising children, wasn't it?

«It's nothing grave,» she sighed, trying to calm them down.

Jaden was staring at her with wide eyes, while Scarlet's cheeks were wet because of tears.

«Oh, it's nothing much, Scarlet. We'll solve it sooner than you think!»

She knelt in front of the twins and cleaned Scarlet's face with her sleeves. «Sometimes adults have arguments, but we know better than drag it longer or cause another commotion.»

«Don't fight with daddy,» the girl said. «It's bad!»

«I know,» Lara revealed. «But I couldn't help it.»

«He talked like that,» Jaden declared. «He was rude to you, mommy!»

«He wasn't. It's just the way he's used to be.»

«But he used the pressure, and he wanted you to do as he wants just because he's the boss.»

The little boy's pout made her chuckle.

«Shall we run away?» she inquired.

«Oh, no,» he said, shaking his head. «It's better not to fight with Nate.»

«For once, you two agree on staying here,» she murmured. «What made you change your idea? The kidnapping?»

«No.» It was Scarlet who answered. «It's because Nate could protect our mommy when we couldn't.»

«Is that so?»

They both nodded, and Lara sighed helplessly. She hugged them both, pecking their heads and murmuring sweet words to her frightened cubs.

Meanwhile, Nate walked into the hallway to calm down. He didn't want to order Lara like that, but it felt natural to just tell her what to do. But she was human, not a wolf!

«I screwed it up,» he moaned while opening the door to the living room.

«How is Jaden?» Samantha asked. Her eyes were red with worry, and her hair was ruffled by the wind. She had hurried there when she had heard about the happenings; it was obvious.

Yet, where was she when they needed her?

«You weren't here when my family was in danger,» he pointed out. «I thought I could trust you, Sam.»

«I... I didn't know! My phone was dead, and I...»

She stared at her fingers, oddly guilty. That sight didn't wake Nate up from his fury.

Why couldn't anyone just follow what he said? Was he such a bad Alpha that everyone could ignore his orders?

«You weren't there when I called for you, Samantha. What use do you have here now that everything is over?»

«Nate, I...»

«Nate!» his mother scolded him from the kitchen. «Don't be so mean!»

«Mean?» he scoffed. «I am not mean. It's the world that is an awful place.»

That said, he turned once again and got out. He stepped into the garden and slammed the door.

Melanie rolled her eyes, patting Samantha's shoulder.

«Just like his father,» she whispered.. «Such an annoying temper.»