CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

After eating, Renato showed the door to the girls.

«Get in the car,» he said, and his tone didn't admit any complaint. Amanda and Lucretia bowed their heads and walked out, following the direction of his finger towards the car park.

«He's fuming mad,» Amanda murmured.

The other girl just sighed, dejected.

Meanwhile, Samantha observed his authoritative demeanour and chuckled lightly.

«How have they found you?» he inquired, crossing his arms.

«I don't know. I guess it was by chance... They noticed I had the same scent as the woman who marked you, so they thought about attacking me... Well, the brat thought about it. Your sister was rather calm and friendly. She's a pretty girl and a polite wolf.»

«She doesn't seem like one of us, does she?»

«That's right.»

They turned in the direction where the girls were still walking, and they smiled like an old couple in front of their grandchildren. Only later, they returned to their senses and to each other.

«Do you need a ride home?»

«No, Mr Rider.»

«Hey... You really don't know my name?»

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«No. Your sister told me you didn't want us to exchange names... Or something like that.»

«Ah, I see...»

Also, Amanda didn't call her by name even though they had introduced themselves at the Tech Fair. Could it be that the girl forgot? Samantha hoped it was the case, for there was no way for Rider to connect her name and identity once and for all.

«So, about the drive home...»

«I can go alone. Your bike will be pretty crowded, won't it?»

«I came by car.»

«Well, it's still too crowded for my taste. I will go back on my own, just like I was planning to, originally.»

«Were you having a business meeting?»

«How do you know it's related to business and not a date, ah?»

«You're too well-dressed for a date. And your shirt screams about professionalism.»

«Well, you're right! It was business...»

«But the guy asked you out for other purposes, didn't he?»

«What if he did?»

«Nothing. I see you refused... I guess he wasn't interesting enough, Miss Trouble.»

«Are you relieved?»

«I shouldn't care. You said it's not my business, so I won't inquire any further. I'll just remind you that we won't be alone in the car, so my offer has nothing attached to it.»

«I don't want the brats to see where I live,» Samantha chuckled. «What if one of them comes back for me?»

«Ah, yes... That's right... I will go, then.»

«See you around.»

She turned to leave, but - before Rider could control his hand - a tight clench on her arm stopped her. Rider pulled her back, glancing towards the car to make sure they weren't in sight. Then, he pressed his lips on Samantha's for a single second before straightening his back and returning as calm as he could.

He observed her face, finding no trace of annoyance nor - unfortunately - any blushing. Still, he was happy like that.

«I bet your business partner wasn't as smooth, after all,» he commented. His chest was swollen with pride, and his face shined with contentedness.

«Hey...» Samantha warned him, but she herself didn't know what she wanted to say. She liked that soft, quick kiss.

«See you around,» he said before walking away, almost jumping content.

He took his time to realise that things were getting complicated real soon.

He sat on the driver's seat and turned to check the two girls in the back seat, silent and guilty.

«She's not coming with us, is she?» Amanda inquired, failing at hiding her disappointment.

«No. You two have just ruined my day, do you know that? I've spent the whole evening tracking you...»

«But your girlfriend warned you about us, right? That's how you found us.»

«Correct. Except that she's not my girlfriend.»

«Not?» Lucretia inquired.

«No. Just a woman I'm seeing.»

Still, his tone, facial expression and happy heartbeat didn't agree with his words. Who would be so content after briefly seeing just any woman? Lucretia wasn't an idiot - all the time - and she could recognise feelings when she saw them.

Her eyes filled with tears just as if she was a pup, and she hugged her knees while sobbing on her seat. The world was so unfair, and the only man she had ever loved wasn't going to notice her no matter what she did...

«Please, keep the tears for later,» Renato sighed. «Trust me, you'll need them. We all will need them.»

«Did you really come to pick us up? I think you were actually meeting that woman and that you saw us by chance!» she accused him.

«Don't think, right now. Lucretia, you ran away during a difficult time, and you know very well that we're at war with Norwich. Why in the world did you come here? Of all places...»

«War?» Amanda replied. She had heard about the difficult relationship from Lucretia, but a war... No one had noticed in the lower layers of the pack.

Most likely, it was still confidential.

«Soon, everyone will know. There's no point in keeping it secret anymore, is there?» Lucretia continued. «Woods is attacking, and we will soon be forced to fight back. I wanted to take a tour while I had time.»

«Woods? Do you mean Alpha Woods from Norwich? How odd, he seemed quite peaceful... But one never knows... Why do they pick up fights with us? We just want to live in peace in our city, am I right?» Amanda whined.

War meant she couldn't meet Samantha for a long, long time. And her brother was going to be in a very difficult situation, even worse than the current one.

«I wish Alpha Woods was known by humans for his cruel nature... Instead, they all think he's kind and forgiving... Bullshit!»

«Forget it, Amanda. Things are always complicated when Alphas are involved,» Renato murmured. He couldn't just tell her everything; their Alpha wouldn't have approved it.

Still, he couldn't help but feel a sting on the back of his head. They weren't innocent at all. Alpha Woods had pretty valid reasons to attack... It was a miracle he hadn't fought back sooner, actually.