CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Renato pretended to be listening to the reports about the attack that night. He was bored to the core and couldn't see any sign of danger.

They had lost money. Understandable, and not even that bad, all things considered. After kidnapping Nathaniel Woods's family, he was surprised that man hadn't barged in and killed just everyone. But money was not that relevant, after all.

Moreover, it wasn't even a decoy! Samantha was as relaxed as going back to sleeping after he had left. She wasn't going to fight anytime soon. Not even a single hair on her was nervous.

He was sure they were safe, at least about what he could do to help. Regarding economic stuff and other difficult matters, he didn't want to intrude. He didn't even tell his opinion since he was just a security person. His job was to keep them safe, and he would have done that.

He would fight if it was needed, and that ended it. Somehow, he didn't feel the need to become any more useful.

He had betrayed Samantha once, indirectly causing all the mess they were trying to solve in that meeting. He wouldn't bring any help to his pack by telling the Alpha what he knew. It was better for everyone if he just shut up.

The first time, his clues had led Alpha Luciano to find out about Nathaniel Woods's woman and then kidnap her. One thing after the other, that event had led to the loss of money they were facing with such dark faces.

Renato just hoped it would end there.

If no blood was spilt, he wouldn't feel guilty. Money could be earned back, and reputation could be recovered. If the other pack members were alive and healthy, they could always fight back.

«What do you think about it?» the Alpha inquired, turning to him. «From where will they come in?»

Renato lifted his brows, not expecting to be asked anything. Lately, he had been almost ignored by the Alpha. Maybe, it was because of Samantha. Yet, when the situation was dire, they knew to ask him for his opinion.

«If I were them, I would come in through the back while keeping two teams on the sides. It's the easiest way to reach the centre... But only if one knows about our vulnerabilities and inner structure...»

He scratched his chin, thinking hard.

«Maybe, they will do something a little more creative.»

«Creative? Ah,» the Alpha scoffed. «Is that a word of praise, by any chance?»

«No, Alpha. I'm just considering the facts. Nathaniel Woods won't just attack... I think he'll strike only with a lethal plan. We shall reinforce the weak parts and bring the younglings and elders to a safer place.»

«That's out of the question. Everyone stays here! Till the end!»

«I see... I don't think they'll reach the centre of our headquarters, by the way. There hasn't been enough time to plan it yet, and this attack doesn't sound like a decoy. It's more like... Like a prank? As if they were making fun of us.»

«Fun? Are you trying to say something?»

«No, Alpha. I don't know enough to comment on that. It's just... What if they just wanted us to react?»

«So you're suggesting I don't do anything after this affront? Shall I let go and forget about my pride?»

«I didn't mean it like that. Just... not falling in a trap seems better.»

«There's a reason why you're the chief of security,» he shut him. «You think about your sector, and I will make the decisions. Make sure no one comes in, and we will be safe.»

«Yes, Alpha.»

«As for the attack on the bond prices... I can't let them go. What if it isn't a trap? Our honour as a pack would be gone. We shall fight back just as fiercely.»

«With another attack on their bonds? Last time it didn't work,» another wolf pointed out.

«Might they be giving back that attack?» the Alpha thought. «If that's the case, then they will try hurting us in a more physical way very soon.»

«We're not sure yet, but that might be possible.»

«We need to get ready. Straighten every defence, make sure the headquarters are safe and unreachable from the outside. Also, Lucretia is forbidden from going out just like any other wolf with relevance to the pack. If they want to kidnap one of ours, we shall prevent them from taking the chance. Not like they did with their Alpha's family,» Luciano polenta snickered. «We will be smarter.»

The wolves around him nodded their heads fiercely, all except for Renato. He knew little about the Norwich pack, but he would never think they were going to blindly attack. The man Samantha trusted so much couldn't be as plain as to repeat what his enemies had done in every detail... There must have been a greater plan for it. Still, he couldn't say it even if he wanted: no one would listen to him.

Except if he said the information came from a safe source, which would imply Samantha. He had no intention of doing so.

He would keep their relationship as private as possible, avoiding giving the information to the Alpha unless it was about the survival of the pack.

«What does it mean that I can't go out?» Lucretia asked from her place. She let go of her phone and got up from the sofa and stormed towards the table. «You can't just lock me in!»

«You wouldn't be locked,» Alpha Luciano pointed out. «Moreover, it's just for a few days. Until we solve this.»

«But I don't want to! There are many things I want to do!»

«You can postpone. Your friends shouldn't go out either, by the way. Teens are a weak point of any pack, so you will stay inside and safe. Far from trouble.»

«But if Renato...»

«No. Renato can't be your bodyguard in this situation. He needs to work on our defences. I can't waste his time like this. You will return to your life as soon as we take down Nathaniel Woods.»

«It's taking forever, Luciano! Can't you just kill him and get it over with?»