CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

It was their first appearance after the so-called scandal. Nate knew it wasn't such a great piece of gossip, and Lara had come to terms with it.

Everyone knew she went to therapy. Whatever.

Her most hidden fear was her family finding out, judging her and getting further and further, abandoning her to her destiny and avoiding her forever. But that didn't happen: they hadn't even flinched.

The wolves in the pack were understanding, some even amazed how she was doing her best to fit in, even asking for help from a doctor. Nate hadn't raised a brow, let alone said a word. The cubs didn't know what it meant; they were worried about their mommy visiting a doctor. But they also knew that doctors weren't scary people, so they could rest assured their mommy would always return.

About the opinion of anyone else, Lara couldn't care less.

She was at Nate's arm, and they were walking in together with straight shoulders. They didn't need to explain - to anyone - about their daily lives, and they would have shown them how happy they were, no matter what the tabloids wrote.

«If anyone is inappropriate, just tell me, and I will make them disappear from your sight,» Nate whispered to Lara.

She chuckled, amazed. He had told her so many times, yet he would always take the chance to remind her he would do anything for her. It made her heart flutter and her stomach turn, reminding her of that feeling from their first time.

She had no clue how much it was wolf magic and how much her human love for being taken care of, but she didn't care to draw a line between the two. Her human self agreed with the blessing from the Moon Goddess, so she didn't need to think so hard to discern.

She didn't need it anymore, now that she knew it was not a fault. Being in love, or just being attracted, was her destiny. She had accepted it, and her life had been easier.

Even just the thought of being able to kiss her mate without a specific reason made her feel warm and safe. He was there for her, and he would gladly take any touch of care.

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After remembering that fateful first encounter, her life changed. She had changed. She didn't fear being abandoned because she knew he wouldn't have allowed it.

«You know that I love you, don't you?» she said.

«Hmm, I was told so,» he chuckled, but his smile was more than just naughty: it was happy.

Together, they walked into the hall and noticed the crowd. That year, the charity gala was even grander than any other year. They had sold more tickets, and everyone who counted something was there.

Including Nate, oddly enough. The curious eyes throwing glances at them knew what had changed, what - or better said, who - had convinced CEO Woods to attend that event. Since the first time he had appeared in public with Lara Clayton, they had seen and heard more from him.

However, the way the couple looked at each other was too warm and calm for a new couple. They seemed to have known each other for years, not just a few weeks.

However, no one could dig out any piece of new information.

«Oh, Mr Woods!» a familiar voice shouted from a few steps away. «And Miss Clayton. Nice to meet

It was Matthew Heartmore, Lara recalled. The first person she had met during a party of that kind. Or, at least, the first who had dared to inquire about her openly.

«No one was expecting to see you here,» he continued. «But I'm glad you're attending. It was getting boring with the same, usual faces, wasn't it?»

«Nice to see you too,» Lara replied curtly. She clenched Nate's arm for a moment, gathering her courage.

«Hello,» Nate said. He was a little distracted by Lara, but he could find a few spare neurons to have a chat with other people.

However, Matthew Heartmore wasn't dangerous. He wouldn't put Lara in a tight spot and would be appropriate at any moment. Nate could relax.

In fact, he didn't mention anything about recent scandals, almost as if he didn't know about them. Maybe, it was the case, but it wouldn't have been any different. He knew Nate Woods as an excellent businessman, and that weighed on his opinion more than gossip would ever have.

«I've noticed that LY Corp is expanding its business to other cities. Are you planning something big, CEO Woods?» he asked, chuckling. He seemed genuinely happy that business was doing well. Read new adventures at empire

«I just hope you won't conquer my sector as well.»

«Oh, don't worry, CEO Heartmore. LY Corp has increased orders lately. That's why we need more production facilities. But we won't expand business in other sectors. We're fine with clothes. There's so much we can do with it, starting from the technologies we're embedding into our new tracksuits.

It will be a novelty in the market.»

«Ah, I've heard of it. You're already marketing it.»

«Yes, it will be ready soon.»

«Your sales manager did a great job with that. By the way, how is she? I've heard the news about Manager Murphy, but I can't believe she just left your company for... for whom? Blue Moon? Doesn't make sense, especially because it wasn't such a big secret that Blue Moon was failing.»

«She didn't, in fact. She moved to Mayford, true, but not to join a rival company. I've heard she'll try doing her own business, but it has nothing to do with what Luciano Polenta did. She hasn't ever met him since the day she had left LY Corp.»

«Oh, I see... Aren't you afraid, though? She's a tough one to deal with. Having her on your side for years must have been reassuring.»

«Oh, it was,» Nate agreed. «But she wanted her freedom. We all know that Samantha Murphy wasn't born to work for someone her whole life.»

He smiled, making everyone hearing them realise he had no grudge against his ex-manager. Samantha did deserve her happiness, and he had no intention of letting anyone sow discord between them.