CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

After lunch, Melanie Woods praised the pups for their table manners. Nate sat silent and sulking, annoyed that the twins suddenly knew how to eat well. After the mess they made the first time they ate together, he couldn't imagine they would be good and proper in front of his mother. All to make Lara look good, of course.

She cut a slice of apple cake for everyone, chuckling when Samantha and Nate reacted just like when they were pups.

«It's been so long since the last time,» Samantha commented. «I've always loved your cakes, aunty!»

Nate nodded, but he didn't add anything. He was silent that day.

Why were the pups liking his mother more than him? It was unfair, and he had done much more for them! He was their father: he deserved a little love as well.

Just as he was falling deeper into his thoughts, a soft yet cold hand squeezed his fingers. His first instinct was to turn his palm and warm those chilly fingers, but then his eyes met Lara's eyes. She was smiling, and her look was as happy as he could imagine.

She was glad they were having lunch all together, and that contact was meant as a sign of gratitude. She was thanking him for that day, for giving them a family where the twins could feel protected.

Her eyes became wet for a moment, but she fought against tears. She didn't want to start crying at that moment.

Nate's dark mood disappeared in a moment as if a stone was lifted from his heart. He didn't care much if the pups liked his mother more, for he had his mate's attention.

«Do you like the cake?» he inquired, bending forward to be closer to her.

The pups were sitting on the other side. They hadn't dared complain because of the seats in front of their new grandmother.

They turned to him at the same exact moment he started talking to Lara, and they glared in silence. Yet, they couldn't do anything from that far.

«Do you want another slice, kids?» Melanie inquired, cutting two tiny pieces for them.

They nodded in sync, not paying much attention to the rest of the table anymore. They were focused on how their mommy was blushing, her gaze lost in Nate's eyes. She wasn't seeing them anymore, nor anything else for that matter. All she could think, see, and feel was Nate.

Their pouts made Samantha chuckle, while Melanie didn't think much of it. She knew already about the matter, so she didn't find it odd they were wary of their suddenly appeared father. She was glad they accepted her. And she was set on keeping their relationship friendly no matter how bad her son could be at bonding.

«It's delicious,» Lara said, replying to Nate's question with much delay. Still, neither of the two noticed how slow their conversation was progressing.

«Would you like another slice?» he asked, caressing her features with his gaze.

He couldn't just touch her in public, but his eyes were free to look as much as they needed.

She shook her head, weakening the grip of her fingers and letting him turn his hand up and return the squeeze.

Lost in their world, they didn't see Samantha's rolling eyes nor Melanie's warm expression. They were aware, to some degree, of the threatening stares of the twins, but it was more out of habit. It happened every time they touched or talked to each other, in the end.

«I've eaten so much,» Lara explained.

The cake was really delicious, but she couldn't have any more.

«We can take a walk to help digestion,» Nate said, suddenly aware of his opportunities.

The kids were safe with his mother, and they liked her. Everyone could be happy if he took a walk with his mate in the vast garden.

«That's a great idea,» Lara replied.

The twins' expression turned even darker. Jaden closed his mouth and wasn't in the mood to finish his second slice anymore. Scarlet, on the other hand, had already eaten hers. Without regrets, she could focus on her parents. She bared her teeth but stopped a second before growling. There were strangers there: her aunt and her grandmother! She couldn't just make a fool of herself.

Seeing how the cubs were at least trying to hide their hate, Samantha chuckled in silence and winked at her aunt.

«Would you like to see your rooms now?» she inquired.

«No,» both the kids murmured without moving their eyes away from their parents.

«But your grandmother had prepared them especially for you. Are you so heartless that you don't want to even take a look?»

«Heartless?» Jaden repeated.

His mommy didn't like heartless people: it was better to go take a look and say that the grandma did a good job.

He slipped down the chair and reached Samantha. He even tugged Scarlet's sleeve until his sister chose to follow. She snorted and growled lowly, but she still walked with their grandmother in that big, big villa.

«The bedrooms are on the first floor, as well as the playing room. I thought you two would like to share the playroom. Is that all right?» Melanie said, smiling at Samantha.

The latter decided to watch a movie in the living room and allow some time alone for the grandmother and her grandchildren. She closed the door behind them so that they could not see how Nate showed the terrace to Lara and how the two started walking in the garden towards the trees in the eastern wing of the property.

She chuckled, happy because of all that love, and she jumped on the sofa. She selected some action movie on the TV and leaned back, full of delicious food and a little sleepy. She lifted the legs up, getting comfortable.

She was happy that no one needed her help for that day. She was ready to do her best, of course, but that family needed to work on their own if they wanted peace for a longer term.

«Ah, apple cake is the best,» she commented, wondering whether to get up and look for yet another slice.