CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Lara healed from shock pretty quickly, and even her cubs seemed all right after the kidnapping. Jaden was perfectly healthy, and even Scarlet wasn't scared anymore.

They acted as if it was a normal day, except that they were with Nate and used the same car. He had accompanied Lara to collect their necessities, and his family had finally moved into his house. Well... Into his mother's residence.

Just like with Samantha, the twins have started accepting their grandmother bit by bit. They weren't clear about her role, but they liked her cooking almost as much as their mommy's.

They had one room each, which made them both frown. Weren't they going to sleep with Lara? Was it all Nate's plan to have her for himself?

But then, after checking that Lara had one room for herself and that it was far enough from Nate and close to them, they calmed down and accepted the situation.

«Daddy, will you read me a story?» Scarlet asked Nate while walking towards her bed. «Jaden doesn't need bed stories; he finds them boring.»

«Yes, sure,» Nate chuckled, turning to Lara. «I will deal with the kids. You can go to sleep early, Lara.»

«It's fine,» she sighed. «I'll take care of Jaden, and you read the story to Scarlet.»

«Okay.»

They split ways, and he looked around the room. He forgot to buy some books for Scarlet... He had found many for Jaden, and the little boy seemed to like them enough. But he didn't think that his daughter would like tales.

«I'll fetch a book from Jaden's room,» he decided. «And we'll go shopping for books one day, especially for you.»

«Especially?» Scarlet said, tilting her head. «Can I have my personal books?»

«You already have your personal room. Why not everything else?»

«How cool...» she murmured, her eyes shining content. «I like having things only for me.»

«I wouldn't say,» Nate chuckled while reaching the door.

He left it open and knocked at the one right in the front. Behind it, Lara was tucking the cover for Jaden and kissing him goodnight.

«Hello, may I borrow a book?» he asked with a tender smile.

«But return it later,» Jaden pouted.

«I'll return it tomorrow,» the man agreed. He chose a title Scarlet would like and strolled to Jaden. Lara observed the two without interfering, sitting on the side of Jaden's bed. «Take a look so that you remember which one I took.»

«There is L!» Jaden noticed.

«Yes, this is L of little.»

«Little?»

«Three little pigs,» Nate explained. «One, two... and three,» he added, pointing at the cover image with three round pink animals. «I'll read it to you tomorrow if you're curious. We can take the chance to learn another letter.»

«Yes!» Jaden nodded fiercely. «I want to learn!»

«All right,» Nate muttered.

«Nate...» Jaden said, pulling his sleeve.

«Yes, Jaden?»

«Mommy always gives me a goodnight kiss.»

«Always?» Nate inquired, starting to feel jealous. Moreover, that pup was showing off to him.

He would have had a goodnight kiss as well. Daily. As long as Lara accepted to marry him, she would have no reasons to deny him a peck every evening before sleeping.

«Yes. Mommy says it's to dispel bad dreams.»

«And does it work?»

«Yes.» Jaden nodded again.

«I see.»

Noticing how the exchange among the two was bringing nowhere, and knowing very well her son wouldn't have asked for it openly, Lara decided to help them a little. Just a little.

«Mommy loves her boy,» she said and pecked Jaden's hair. «More than anything in the world.»

Those words hurt Nate's heart, but he was getting used to it. He barely noticed the sting in his chest. She would have loved him too, one day.

«Mommy is so happy her boy now has a father,» she continued, winking at Nate.

She walked out, leaving the door open ajar. Just in case those two slow wolves made a mess out of the opportunity.

«I'm also happy to have a son,» Nate said.

«And Scarlet?»

His face twitched, annoyed.

«I am happy to have a daughter as well, of course!» he exclaimed. «But what does it have to do with you?»

«I was just asking.»

«Ah, yeah...» Kids that age liked questions, apparently. «I am happy for her too. I'm going to read her a story, you know? That's what fathers do.»

«My mommy does that as well.»

«Yes, mother and father work together for their pups.»

«They do the same things, so?»

«Not always. But, sometimes, we can alternate. There are two of you, and two of us. It's easier for your mother if I help.»

«I see. Then, do your kisses also dispel bad dreams?»

«I don't think they do, but we can try.»

He bent over and left a kiss on the boy's hair, right next to where Lara's lips landed a few seconds before. When he returned standing, he noticed his son's red cheeks. He was looking at him in awe as if his gesture had been a huge surprise... but not a bad one.

«Have a good night,» he muttered, taken back.

«Okay,» Jaden said. «You too.»

«Yes, I will...»

He walked out and closed the room carefully after switching the lights off.

«Good job,» Lara whispered to him. She had waited next to the door, and she smiled brightly when he came out. «You were a perfect father!»

«Oh, thanks,» he hummed, finding his actions suddenly had a broader meaning. If being a good father meant being complimented by his mate... «I'll now go to Scarlet... She's waiting.»

«Yes, sure. Let's talk later, then! If you're not too tired, of course.»

«I'll take your word for it!» he said before she could change her mind. They could chat a little before going to sleep. Maybe, he could offer her a glass of wine. Or orange juice if she still had that senseless idea that alcohol made her act weird.. They could chat, and then he could have his goodnight kiss just like the two lucky pups.