CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 353: Crazy (ex) Alpha

Samantha moved her eyes from the people around her back to the man right in front of her. He was claiming control over the pack after running away. She couldn't tolerate it, no matter the circumstances.

«You left when your people needed you. How can you ask for obedience now? Aren't you ashamed?» she said.

«I did it for the pack. You see, not finding me, Woods left.»

«Alpha Woods, for you,» Samantha replied.

«Is this place under his control?» Polenta snickered. Of course, it wasn't. It wouldn't be so peaceful. «Renato, you should keep your woman in check.»

«Yes, Renato...» Samantha repeated. «Try it.»

«I did nothing yet,» Renato said, raising his hands in defence. «Don't look at me like that.»

«Hey...» Polenta hummed, noticing the odd exchange.

Why was his right-hand man acting so tame with a woman? That was his mate: he had power over her! Why was he behaving like a dog?

«Renato, solve this,» he ordered.

«I think you should go back,» was his reply.

Polenta moved his eyes on him, confused. Was he talking with the woman? But his eyes were fixed on him, and the hand on her shoulder seemed to be restraining her from attacking blindly rather than making her back down.

Renato's black eyes shifted on the wolves around him, and he understood - only he did - the whole situation.

Luciano Polenta, their former Alpha, had come to take his pack back. The Betas weren't willing to accept him after he fled like that and left them to despair.

Their new Alpha, Samantha, wasn't aware of her position yet, but she was willing to fight for them. The others could see that. They could feel, even though she seemed not to.

And, finally, there was him: Renato couldn't understand himself too well up to that moment. At first, he thought he wanted his mate next to him, no matter the price. But then, he could sense the urge to obey her deep in his stomach. He had been Alpha Luciano's most loyal man, but his heart was changing so fast.

After being wounded to protect Luciano's image and the pack, he didn't care about the past anymore. He couldn't think of doing anything that man ordered one more time. He felt free to choose, and his choice would have been predictable.

«This is not the right place for you,» he said, turning to Luciano Polenta. No more titles nor respect, just plain words.

The others seemed to agree, even though Renato couldn't be sure whether it was because of the new pack connection or just because they were disappointed.

«I am your Alpha!»

«An Alpha doesn't run away, leaving his pack in the mud,» Samantha pointed out.

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She should have kept silent, shutting her thoughts and letting the pack solve it. But... she couldn't! That man got on her nerves a little too much, and she could read the suffering on everybody's face. They were settled on cutting any link, but they were also hurt. She, as an outsider, had no leftover benevolence towards Polenta.

She could tell him everything without regrets and let all those people continue with their lives.

«You abandoned them, Polenta. Now, you can't have your pack back as if nothing happened.»

«It was... It was part of a plan,» he tried, sensing the mood of the wolves. He didn't care about what that woman thought... But the wolves were different. If he didn't have their respect or fear, they wouldn't obey. He needed to retake his place before everything collapsed.

«What kind of plan? Letting Norwich wolves do what they wanted, including hurting your people?»

«No one got seriously hurt,» he scoffed. Nathaniel Woods sometimes had the stupid belief that spilling too much blood would bring him harm. Surely, he didn't wound anyone.

Most likely, he immobilised them until opening that door. He got the reports when the attack started: Betas were being tied or knocked out effortlessly.

«No?» Samantha scoffed. «Didn't you order your guards to die but not let Nate inside the residence? That was not your intention, putting your people in between Norwich and your flee? You're a coward, Polenta! Such a person shouldn't be the Alpha of this pack!»

«Who should it be, then? Renato?» he chuckled.

There was no one else who stood a chance. Even though a few of the teens had dangerous habits and temper, they had no power to take over his role. The only one who could, conveniently, didn't have the nature to guide the wolves.

«We can drag him out, boss,» one of the Betas said. It was a younger one, a guard. Who other than a guard would call Renato boss?

They were getting impatient, each and every word reaching their brains against their will. They didn't want to listen. Yet, they couldn't help it. Even if those words hurt them deeply, they still reached their heart. It was out of habit, maybe. Or just the difficult period.

Samantha shook her head, seeing their internal struggles. They shouldn't force their Alpha out. They were still linked to him; they had spent years together.

But she, as a loner, had no obligation nor link. She could do it for them as a sign of thanks for the hospitality.

«No,» she said. «I can do it. You shouldn't get yourself involved.»

After all, pack dynamics were so complex. What if Polenta actually became their Alpha again, by some mistake? They would have a harsh life, or they could be exiled.

It was better to keep out of any conflict until the situation was a tidbit clearer. As for Samantha, she could just leave if things become difficult. She had nothing linking her there except for her mate.

And her mate's sister, she realised. She had started to like Amanda.

Oh, but what about the few wolves she had met? Ale and Sergio were nice under their wild guard masks.

Mayford, as a pack, was full of nice people. It was just their Alpha that was a blockhead. They didn't deserve to be guided by him. Not again.