CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 403: Come back

Samantha had been sitting at the table for a long while. She was waiting for Nate at the fast food place they had agreed on. It was far enough from Norwich to be considered neutral but close enough to let them meet without huge preparations.

She hated that she needed to make an appointment before meeting her cousin, but things had changed since the last time they had coffee together. First of all, they were different people.

Renato was next to her, ticking on the table with a finger and watching over her with more anxiety than usual. She was starting to find it annoying. It had started one day, all of a sudden.

After they had run together, he had started acting overprotective. Did she know that officially becoming his mate meant being treated like an idiot - she wouldn't have accepted.

She still could carry her things and get her tasks done without help. She was still able to open doors - and even close them, to Renato's surprise. She could lift heavy and not-that-heavy weights just fine.

Yet, there was no way to explain it to her mate. He would nod, saying he agreed. And then, he would act in the same damned way.

«Are you hungry?» he asked with his usual worried tone. As if she wasn't able to tell when she needed food. They were in a fucking restaurant: she could order anytime. She didn't need a translator.

Was he trying to act chivalrous? It wasn't working well; he'd better stop it. She didn't dislike his rude actions, all in all; and she was getting used to those of his pack. After staying with them long enough, she wasn't concerned anymore when they sniffed her to check she was all right. It likely was their way of caring for each other.

Even Amanda had done it one day. She had said Samantha's scent had changed, but she hadn't added anything else.

Samantha could see the expression on the elders' faces, but they hadn't told her anything. That change of scent was still a mystery. Most likely, due to her Alpha position. She was finally free to be herself, and her body was adapting to those small changes.

When Nate finally arrived, she had chosen a dessert from the menu. She wasn't in the mood to eat the meat cooked in that place - it didn't smell good - but the cakes seemed pretty cool.

«Hey!» she exclaimed when she saw her cousin. «Finally!»

«Sorry, there was some traffic,» Nate said.

«The oldest excuse ever,» Renato murmured under his breath. He glared at him, and the two exchanged firing gazes. Find adventures at M-V-L

It was obvious they didn't like each other, and Samantha couldn't blame them either. There was a lot between them, including the bloody war.

She soughed, hoping they wouldn't start growling at each other.

She wasn't really surprised by Renato's reaction. What shocked her was Nate's behaviour: he was being so childish!

«Sit down, brother. We have to talk,» she said, recalling the attention on herself. There was a lot to say.

She waited for Nate to be seated and asked the maid to bring some coffee.

«What is it?» Nate inquired, crossing his arms. Did she have to bring Renato Cannella along? How were they supposed to talk with that growling dog by her side?

He had accepted Samantha's offer at first. But then, after seeing her, he was starting to reconsider. She was safer with his pack. Was there any need to live with those savages? Even if Cannella was her mate, Samantha should have continued to live in Norwich. Mayford was too dangerous and challenging!

«What's up?» Samantha said. «You're looking at me in a weird way.»

«Weird?» Nate hummed. What did she mean?

«Just like when we were kids. You were a protective big brother back then. It was nice, wasn't it? We were like real siblings,» Samantha said.

«Good old times. You can come back, and everything will be like back then.»

«Come back?» she chuckled. What was he talking about? «You know it's impossible. It's too late, and I'm settling down in Mayford. It's not that bad. Even though most of them don't know the basic rules of etiquette, I can work on it.

They have a good soul. Mostly.»

«Those who don't have been exiled already,» Renato pointed out. Somehow, he knew what Nathaniel Woods was trying to do. But his mate was safe by his side. There was no point in trying to bring her back. She was one of Mayford already!

«It's nice, now!» Samantha commented, all happy.

«You wouldn't need to work this hard, Sam. They're a disbanding pack, and they don't have a choice but to follow you now. It's their only option, other than being strays. But if things were different... What if some challenge you? It's easier if you come back.»

«What's wrong with you, Nate? I thought we agreed on this.»

«We did, but... It's different now.»

«How is it any different?»

«You're not responsible for yourself only.»

«No, but I accepted the responsibilities. Actually, I quite like it...»

«I'm not talking about the pack, Sam. But... About you.»

«Hmm?»

«You... you don't know? Really? Don't you remember when it happened to Roxy? You were concerned last time too! Come on!»

«What happened to Roxy?»

«It was last year.»

«Last year? Oh, she had that weird scent for the whole time during her pregnancy. It was difficult to say no to her,» Samantha chuckled. «But she had also turned beautiful.»

Her smile froze on her face.

«You mean...» she hummed. Was that what made Nate act in such a weird way?

«You don't need to stay with them,» he repeated in a final attempt to bring her back.

Renato pricked up his ears and listened, pulling Samantha in his arms. He glared at Nate again, feeling the other man's intentions. He wanted his mate! Why?

He was the one exiling her, wasn't he? Now it was late to have her back. Not to mention he wouldn't allow her far from him. Not as far as in Norwich.