CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 87 - Whose Pup

«I've never been good at controlling my shifting. And this is the first sign. When I get excited or nervous... Or happy. Sometimes, I show my nature when that happens.»

They had walked back to the bed, hand in hand. Samantha's ears were drooping as she confessed her biggest secret.

«So,» Rider sighed. «Fried wings are more exciting than me. Or they make you happier. Or more nervous. I don't even know which option I'd hate the most...»

He avoided her eyes, focusing on their joint hands. He caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, pressing on her knuckles when she sighed.

Even if he was there to collect information, his heart was beating happily at her story. He wanted to know more but not to use it for his gain. Oh well, he did plan to blackmail her into meeting if she started avoiding him, but it would have been for the gain of them both.

As she talked, her ears twitched or dropped every time her feelings were triggered. It was so funny to watch, but he couldn't let her notice how much.

«Let's eat,» he said, bringing a fried potato stick to her mouth. Samantha nibbled on it, and her ears moved happily. She opened her mouth for the second fry, and Rider moved the plate closer for them both to reach it easily.

«What about that pup?» he said, observing the rest of the plates. He even had beers, for he couldn't eat all that fried food without something to drink with it.

He offered one to Samantha. Surprisingly, she accepted.

She drank from the bottle, and some foam slipped down her chin. She chuckled while cleaning her face with a hand.

«There's a glass if you want,» Rider pointed out, raising his brow.

«I wanted to do it till the end,» Samantha explained. «That normal people thing you mentioned on the phone. To drink beer like normal people, eat junk food, and have some fun.»

«You can. Why not?»

«I didn't think it would uncover my little secret,» she sighed.

In the end, she had come to terms with herself long ago. She knew no man in the world could stand next to her.

Most male werewolves were possessive and over-controlling. A man like that couldn't accept an independent female like her.

As for the few who wouldn't mind her character and capabilities, they wouldn't like to see her ears. There was a group of males who wouldn't mind having a more powerful partner, but they all had the dream of an invincible female by their side. Not one without enough control over her shape.

To survive in Nate's pack, she had hidden a little of both her sides: the fluffy and emotional Samantha, as well as the beast.

After meeting Rider, she had been happy to have someone, even if only for nights of passion. She had been relieved because she knew he wouldn't care enough to inquire about her.

They would just meet, have fun, and part ways afterwards.

But then, even Rider found out her true face.

«You were expecting someone else, right?» she sighed. «A more feminine mate... Someone with more control and deeper feelings.»

«Oh, but you are so feminine,» he replied.

His eyes flew to her breasts covered by that anime shirt. The fabric wrapped her body just in the right way, letting him imagine her naked shapes without much hassle. At the same time, though, it shielded her.

Her actions were all so elegant, and her usual clothes did remind him of a socialite even if she was a working woman. Her face was beautiful without the need for any makeup; and her eyes... Oh, her eyes were a trap set for him by fate. How could he resist her when she looked directly at him?

Still, he was a man on a mission. He needed to find something new, just a little to soothe the Alpha for a few weeks. If he brought back some news, the pack wouldn't have any reason to target Samantha nor ask him to inquire further for a while.

What was that about the pup she was taking care of?

He had asked once, so he couldn't ask a second time without being suspicious. Unless...

He looked down at his fingers, feigning guilt or disappointment. He needed to sound jealous. Samantha would have told him if she thought he was suffering because of a misunderstanding.

«Do you have pups?» he said, biting his cheek so as not to grin.

«Me?» Samantha stuttered. «I can't take care of myself, let alone a family. I'm as alone as the sun.»

Rider sighed, a little over-dramatically. But it must have been good because Samantha believed him.

«Are you jealous?» she chuckled. «You thought I had children? With whom?»

He shrugged.

«That pup is my nephew,» she said.

«Nephew?»

«Yes.»

«Your brother's son? Or a sister's?»

Samantha bit her lip, not willing to say anything else. But still, Rider did not know anything about her.

«Something like that,» she said.

Nate was like her brother. Even if he was a little older, he had taken care of her when she had needed him. And he allowed her to find her place in the pack without restraints when he became Alpha.

She would have been unhappy if not for him.

Her own brothers didn't want to see her anymore. And her nieces and nephews from that part of the family didn't know her face.

It was a complicated situation, and she couldn't blame her family for choosing them over her. Maybe, they could text or call from time to time, but she had stopped caring.

After years in the Norwich pack, she had forgotten how her original one felt like.

She had been in Norwich for almost fifteen years, after all.

«My brother's,» she said with a smile. «Such a cute pup. He took after his father...»

«And what about you? Do you also want a family?»

Samantha nodded, wishing to have the guts to ask him for help. In the end, she could have a kid reminding her of Rider as well.. With his dark hair and eyes, she was sure their pups would look exactly like him as well.