CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

After finishing her working hours, Lara felt a little useless. It was boring to sit on the sofa in Nate's office and read fashion magazines for an hour more, and she preferred to have something to do.

Staring at her boyfriend seemed like a good idea, in the first moment, but it turned out counterproductive. He knew she was staring and couldn't focus, so her silent observation turned into a battle of stares which would have led to more than just looking if only she didn't get up to leave.

«I'll take a look around,» she said. «I'll get familiar with the company for my future position.»

As if she was moving anywhere else. She knew, and Nate knew, that her current position was the best for everyone.

She might have needed to move at some point, though. Especially if the pack needed her somewhere else.

«I'll go into sales,» she decided, then, while pressing the button of Nate's elevator. She was used to that one, so she didn't even think to take the other. No one would glare at her anymore, either way.

She crossed the door of the department and found many eyes already on her.

«Hello, guys,» she said, embarrassed. Last time she had been in there, she had run out scared and worried.

«Hello, Miss!» they replied, some excited to see her, others surprised.

«The boss is in the office,» one of them said before Lara could find anything to say.

«I see... You are Jordan, aren't you?»

«Yes, Miss. You remember my name!»

«You don't seem to remember mine, though.»

«We do!» another one exclaimed before Jordan could steal all the attention. «Lara Clayton, right? We all know your name.»

«I see... I don't know yours, though. We've never introduced ourselves, except for Jordan.»

The man smiled, visibly happy to be the most shameless person there. His resourcefulness brought him an advantage, for once. The Alpha female remembered his name!

«Oh, I remember!» Lara said at some point. «You were in the car when Nate saved us!»

She was staring at one of the guys, the most silent, at that moment.

«Not in our car, but the one in the front. You opened the door for me when we arrived home, but I didn't thank you yet. I was in shock; I hope you understand...»

«I was also there!» Jordan exclaimed. «Well, half of us were there. The other half stayed at the company to defend the base.»

«I see. You are all hard-working and brave people. It's amazing, honestly.»

«We just follow our Alpha.»

That said, Jordan realised they all had a mission. Somehow, they knew at their heart that their Alpha needed his help. Even if he saved that woman and their children, the situation seemed just as complicated as before.

They had to accept that, no matter how many qualities he had, their Alpha was bad at dealing with women. If they weren't fated mates, he would have had zero chances to conquer Lara Clayton! Even like that, it seemed bleak.

«Our Alpha is the bravest,» one of the youngest boys commented. He had just joined the department: long years of working there awaited him. Until finding a mate, he would be a sales agent, after all.

«He is,» Lara confirmed. She couldn't be sure about Nate's bravery, but how could he not be the bravest?

«He's also strong and powerful.»

«And he makes good plans! If not for him, we wouldn't be so stable.»

«Six years ago, the pack was on the verge of dissolving. If not for Alpha Nate, we wouldn't be here. Not one of us.»

«And the company! Our company is among the best-earning enterprises in the sector, and we're continuously expanding.»

Lara listened to their list of praises and was a little surprised. She did agree with them, of course, but she wasn't expecting a group of fanboys to praise Nate so much.

He was good at a lot of things, and he had tons of qualities. Yet, hearing a group of handsome males praising him had an odd effect on her. She wanted to burst out laughing but was afraid to be misinterpreted.

Not that she didn't believe them. It just looked like they had a second purpose... Were they hunting for a promotion and wanted her to put a good word for them?

It couldn't be possible. She had no decision power in the company, and her few words wouldn't have changed Nate's intentions one bit.

«Not to mention that our Alpha is handsome! A lot more than the other Alphas!»

At that point, Lara couldn't keep her expression neutral anymore. She burst out laughing, loud and clear.

The young men stopped their assessments of the CEO's qualities, distracted by her clear voice. They stared at her in awe, and Lara covered her mouth in fear that she overdid it.

But still, the expression on their faces... They weren't offended by her reaction. Their faces were the same as a minute before...

Before they could start praising her just like they did with Nate, she turned on her heels and aimed at Samantha's office.

«I am going to talk with Samantha now. See you later,» she said.

«Ah, the boss... She's a little down these days,» someone warned her.

«Down?»

«Yeah. Apparently, problems of the heart.»

«She fought with her mate. That's the only thing that can cause so much effect on the boss.»

«What a pity... She had just found a mate, and now she'll be back at yelling at us every time she can.»

«It's because you slack off!»

As the men returned to their bickering, Lara walked away.

«A mate?» she murmured. Oh, sure. The signs were there!

She had thought, during a crazy moment, that Samantha was dating Nate.

Since that wasn't the case, though, she had forgotten about it.

«Maybe I can help,» she decided, rolling her sleeves. Samantha had helped her a lot, so it was only fair if she returned the favour.