CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 389: Romantic couple

Renato drove to Norwich with less worry than he would have anticipated. After all, that was Samantha's cousin's place. She shouldn't be in danger there.

They reached Samantha's apartment and collected her clothes and the things she thought she couldn't live without.

Then, all bags prepared, they stood in front of the wall made of glass.

«I can sell this place,» Samantha said. «It's not like I can live here anymore.»

«You can rent it,» Renato replied. «It's easier than selling, isn't it? And, if you ever change your mind and want to return, you can.»

«I won't change my mind, Renato. I won't come back... It's not the first time I changed packs. It's something that can't be undone.»

His hand was on her back, and it slowly moved down. His sweet caress made Samantha turn, losing interest in the scenery from the window wall.

«I will be wherever you are,» he whispered.

«Wherever?»

«Sure.»

«You're so extreme,» she chuckled, turning to him and surrounding his waist with her arms. She placed her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

«I'm just a realist. If you're nearby, I don't care about packs, powers, and other stuff. And it's even worse now...»

«Worse?»

He sank his face in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent. It had changed again, and, bit by bit, it was taking on a new aroma.

«I don't know what's happening,» he said. «You smell so good lately. It makes me want to protect you even more!»

«Hey!» Samantha murmured. «You're so self-centred!»

«Hmm? How is that?»

«You like it because you marked me, you egocentric...»

«It's not that!» he replied. «I'm not talking about my scent but yours!»

«Yes, sure...»

She hid her grin and continued snuggling in his embrace. She didn't dislike it, after all. He was claiming her, in his odd way, but she felt wanted and... treasured? Had anyone treated her like that, telling her they wanted to protect her?

No one had ever dared.

«I'm serious. Your scent has changed, Samantha. You're... more beautiful than before. And I can't help it. I wish I could let you come here alone, but the thought was so painful.»

«Okay, okay. I've heard enough,» she said before he could say something even more extreme. She wasn't going anywhere; why act like that? Enjoy new adventures from ???

«I wanted you to know. Maybe, it's because you're accepting me?»

«Egocentric,» she repeated.

«No, but... It started yesterday. Is it because we ran together?»

«I don't know, and I'm not really curious. Whatever happens, we're in this together. It wouldn't change anything to know whether my wolf nature is accepting yours or not - for me.»

«It would change a little for me,» he pointed out. «I would like to know.»

«It takes time,» Samantha sighed. «I can't just forget everything that happened, Renato. Give me a few months at least!»

«It was not my intention... I didn't want to press you. But you feel different.»

«Is it a bad thing?»

«Oh, no!»

«Then, just let me be. Okay?»

He nodded, picking up the bags and carrying them to the car. He couldn't let Samantha weigh heavy stuff while he was with her. He knew it was a stupid concern, but... he hadn't ever been smart, to begin with.

They sat in the car and looked at each other.

«Yes?» he said, seeing her grin.

«We should take the chance,» Samantha offered.

«To do what?»

«Date!»

She got out and walked towards the centre, followed by a worried wolf.

«What do you mean by date? We should go back home. Even though your cousin won't hurt you, this place can't be as safe as the quarters. Let's go back,» he said.

Samantha turned to him, her eyes shining with a smart light.

«I'd like to hold hands,» she said.

She offered her right hand to him, and Renato took it before thinking twice. It had been a natural reaction, but... Oh. Walking in the city, holding hands. It sounded nice.

«Nate knows we are here. No trouble will be.»

She pulled him towards the most crowded road, and they strolled like a couple, watching the shop windows and chatting about mundane events.

It took Samantha quite a while to realise they were the centre of everyone's attention. Especially women.

It took her less to find out that the women weren't staring so much at her but at the tall man by her side. She glared at Renato, unhappy.

She was so unlucky! Why had the Moon Goddess given her a handsome mate? She had to watch out so much, like that.

Noticing the change in her mood, Renato raised an eyebrow. He brought their joined hands to his lips and pecked the back of Samantha's hand.

She heard the sighs around her. Were those women watching so attentively? For real?

But, most of all, didn't Renato notice? He seemed oblivious to the many pairs of eyes on him.

What did they want? Wasn't it obvious he didn't have time to look back at them?

Samantha resisted - barely - the urge to glare at every single woman eyeing them. But, she realised, she couldn't stay there like lifeless and wait for them to decide to live on.

That was her man. Hers. Who dared watch him?

Her lips curled in a gentle smile that confused Renato, but he didn't say anything. If Samantha was smiling, he was happy.

But then, she let go of his hand. Only to surround his arm with hers and lean her head on his shoulder for a moment.

He blinked, confused. Was she marking her territory? What was that?

Only then did he dare look around, and he noticed the shy glances and the sighs of the romantic souls around them.

Oh. Nice.

He was being claimed, he realised. His happy smile didn't go unnoticed, but he couldn't care less about what other people thought.

«Would you like to eat something, Mine?» he asked, swiping the street with his eyes and looking for a place to sit.

«I'm starving,» Samantha replied.

Oh, good. A hungry mate knew how to be sweet and docile.