CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 55 - A Step Forward

That day had turned tiring somewhen along the late afternoon. Lara's period came, and her stomach had cramps for a long while.

Jaden knew by instinct she wasn't feeling good, so he just followed her from one room to the other without causing trouble.

She managed to finish the housework and prepare dinner, and she even had time for a quick, hot shower.

Then, when Nate and Scarlet came, she set the table and watched them eat without much appetite. All four of them were gloomy.

The wolves because of the moon, and the human because of biology.

When Nate started walking away, she felt relieved she could finally go to sleep. She would have been useless the day after, either way.

But then, when he turned, she was caught off guard by his looks.

Lara observed Nate's white ears with all her attention. They were exactly like Jaden's. And, with their blonde hair, the two looked so alike.

She gulped, also feeling the need to touch his ears. It was stronger than her.

As she watched, the ears moved. They twitched at first, bending down to express Nate's mood.

She sighed and opened her arms, just as she did with Jaden.

«Oh, come here,» she said. It was a difficult night for him, too.

Without waiting for a second invitation, Nate accepted the hug. He paid attention not to tighten his grip too much, but he circled her waist with his arms to prevent her from escaping the embrace.

Lara surrounded his neck with her arms, and she played with his hair without noticing the path her fingers took. She rubbed his ears, ruffling his hair just like she did with her son.

«It's a difficult night, isn't it?» she asked.

Nate nodded, hiding his face next to her neck. He inhaled her scent, feeling at home after a long while. One of his arms moved, and his big hand caressed her back.

He peeked at her expression from under his eyelashes before raising his head again. He observed her lips, and the urge to kiss her resounded in his brain. It was the only thing he could think of.

Her soft body in his arms and her sweet lips a few inches from his.

He moved forward, slow and careful. He could feel her breath from that close and her blood rushing in her neck.

He had dreamt for years to be as close to feeling her like that.

Before their lips met, Lara's hand blocked him. He moved his eyes up, meeting hers. He didn't wake up from the daze, but he didn't push any further.

«No!» she said, whispering. «You can't do this!»

He couldn't force her to kiss him, and he didn't want to.

No matter how much his body needed her, his soul could not consider anything that would hurt her.

Lara opened her mouth to remind him he could not kiss other women while in a relationship, but her throat went dry, and she couldn't talk.

Her stomach cramped as if protesting for the interrupted moment.

Nate seemed to understand on his own, so she calmed down a little. However, he didn't let go of her. He seemed intent on hugging her for a while longer.

It was just a hug, she considered. It wouldn't mean anything.

He bowed again to return hugging, hoping the woman's hand would pat his head again. He didn't care that he was acting like a domesticated dog. Everything was fine with Lara.

He couldn't finish his motion because two pairs of small hands gripped his trousers, and two burdens caught his legs.

He split from Lara to check the twins trying to push him away. Jaden's tail was trembling in rage, and Scarlet's eyes gleamed in the dark.

Lara burst out laughing. Her cubs were showing their - washed - fangs, growling at Nate and acting all jealous.

Nate chuckled as well.

«It's time you two go to sleep,» he commented.

Scarlet and Jaden saw his ears, and they stared surprised. It lasted too short, though. They returned growling soon enough, and Nate picked them up. One in each arm.

While Jaden tried to push him away and free himself, Scarlet started biting his shoulder like crazy. She would sink her teeth and growl, trying to leave any sign on Nate's iron skin. She even gritted her teeth and tried moving her head, jerking it to the side. She scratched him with her nails, but nothing happened.

Instead of calming down and realising there was no avail, she tried even harder than before.

Nate didn't even react. To him, she was just playing.

He brought them to their rooms, letting them slip on the bed.

Jaden bounced in place, glaring threateningly. Scarlet was still busy chewing, so she stayed up, hanging on his shoulder.

Nate sighed, forgetting what had just happened in the hallway. He would have a memory to treasure for that night, and the first Black Moon in a long time wouldn't be all about pain and regret.

As for why Lara refused his kiss, he decided to work on that part at a later time. He got a hug. It was more than nothing, so it was a step forward. A good sign.

He separated Scarlet from his shoulder. He was starting to feel a little of her attacks. Her fangs were getting sharp, indeed.

To avoid the pups attacking back, he pressed his fingers on their sides, tickling their bellies and hips until they started giggling.

Thank goodness they were ticklish.

He continued, deaf to their complaints and pleas to stop.

Lara observed them from the door. Three wolves on the bed, playing together and laughing out loud.

She desired, even if just for a moment, to reach them and join in the fun. But she couldn't intrude in that familiar moment.

She got to terms with it and just watched from the door. What happened a minute before was already long gone from her mind.

That weird, deep attraction that made her hug a man who was already taken didn't stay for too long.

She had no intention of being a third party.. Nate could have his emotional life, and she would pay attention not to bother him or his partner.