CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

The man reached his home after quite the ride, and he had to take another shower to hide Samantha's scent.

Not that it would have brought him trouble. His Alpha knew what he was doing, and the others didn't have the balls to say anything.

Just, he didn't want to divert their attention on his mate. It was too soon, and he hadn't yet secured her place in the pack.

He took out her underwear from his jacket's pocket. He knew she wouldn't have checked there even if she dared to touch his bag.

He placed them next to her other pair, and he smiled at that contrast. Somehow, the white panties were still his favourites. She didn't get ready to meet with him, that time. It was all her natural, genuine self.

He chuckled at her clumsy attempt at getting them back, and at how she forgot all about it as soon as he touched her. Even just falling on his knees was enough, which confirmed his suspicion she wasn't a Beta.

Female wolves didn't usually have a characterisation. They could change their role through life, and they weren't as driven by it as males.

Still, Samantha was an exception for many things already. Having one more wouldn't be so strange.

Born Omegas were quite rare. Female ones even more. She would struggle at finding her place in any pack, and that could explain why she was living in one which wasn't her parents'.

He wasn't sure how she could bind so well with Norwich's Alpha, but that wasn't as important. If Rider could find a way to control her, her life in Mayford would have been peaceful.

He fell on the bed, utterly exhausted. He could take the luxury to sleep a little before going to report... But that might have been troublesome with their impatient Alpha.

Everyone knew he was back already. So he had to do it immediately.

He made a phone call, hoping it wouldn't be too much of an affront.

«Tell me,» the Alpha said as soon as he picked up.

Rider sat up, getting ready to report.

«I suspect Nathaniel Woods didn't just lose his mate. He also has a pup.»

«A pup?»

«I am not clear about the details yet, but from what I've heard... There's a pup looking just like him.»

«That female told you?»

«Yes.»

«How come she said something so dangerous to a member of a rival pack?»

That was the tricky part of the report. How could he inform the Alpha about it without giving away Samantha's ears? He wanted to keep that secret for himself. Only for him to use and exploit.

«Once, I called her. She was with a pup calling her aunt. I asked for information, and she said it's her brother's.»

«Her brother's? Nathaniel Woods and Samantha Murphy are cousins, right?»

«But I don't think she has any contact with her brothers, Alpha. Also, do they have young male pups? As far as I remember, her nephews are way older than what the one on the phone sounded like.»

«Is that so? You have a good memory when it comes to her. Anything else?»

Oh, there was so much else he found out. But nothing of that was relevant to the Alpha.

«Nothing more than this.»

«If the pup is of Nathaniel Woods, then she considers him close as a brother. I highly doubt she would spill the beans just like this.»

«That's why I suggest we take this information as unverified, Alpha. And I can't think of a way to verify it.»

«You don't have to think, in fact. I will do it. As for you... Just remember we are your pack. That woman is your one and only mate, but we're those being there for you when you need it.»

«I know, Alpha. You can trust me.»

«I know, Renato. I know.»

He heard a sigh on the phone, and he wondered if the Alpha looked up at the ceiling like every time he needed to think.

«I was just reminding you,» he said.

«I won't forget something this important. Also, I won't need to choose among her and the pack when she becomes one of us as well.»

«Oh, if you manage to break the link she has with Nathaniel Woods. In that case, she'll be welcome among us.»

The Alpha hummed, tapping his finger on the chin.

«And you know, Renato... If Nathaniel Woods falls from grace, she won't have a choice but you. She'll run straight into your arms if her Alpha can't protect her.»

«I know that, Alpha.»

«Mate bonds are truly unpredictable. If it was anyone but you, I would be worried. But I know you won't turn your back to your pack. And your family.»

Renato hung up and threw the phone on the bed, opening his arms and looking at the ceiling, helpless.

It was easier said than done. Convincing Samantha to follow him would take way more than prowess in bed.

He had seen her defenceless face, and he liked that one even more than her sexy, overbearing demeanour. Yet, she looked convinced not to let him see her heart.

She would call their meetings an affair, and she refused to tell him her name. Not that it changed anything, but she pretended to keep her distance from him.

If he wanted to succeed, he needed more than plain sex to link with her. He needed to make her talk, and also to reveal his soul to her.

He needed a connection. One deeper than the link pushing them to share a room in whatever motel.

«I need a plan,» he said to the empty room.

A plan to bring Samantha to inquire about him. To make her curious or intrigued. Or even simply content of sharing some time together.

It was so damn hard: he had to court her without making her realise it, for she would have fled if she noticed his intentions.

«You little devil, just wait and see,» he sighed, reaching out to his phone and looking for proper words to remind her of him.