CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«Alpha, we couldn't find the man who wrote the article about Miss Lara. Still, we know the photographer,» said the wolf, with a solemn tone.

Nate just nodded, observing that annoying picture.

He had been so busy that he had forgotten that part of the team was working on the article. The reporter clearly speculated about Lara's involvement with both Nate and Luciano Polenta.

But then, the team couldn't find the paparazzi who wrote the article. They only knew about the photographer.

«Thankfully, we can talk with the photographer,» Nate said.

«He said he sold the pictures to many people, including other agencies who then delivered it around.»

«That's not true. If his name is here, he asked to be acknowledged... For some reason, he wanted to sign his artwork. He knows whom he sold it to. Shall I go and talk with him in person?»

«Alpha Nate, we're a little... Ehm, in an emergency.»

«I know that already, but this can become another emergency if we don't make sure that man doesn't write anymore. Yesterday, there was another article about Abigail Brown and her fling with Polenta. He'll come up with a new scoop about Lara or me if we don't make sure he's warned about the consequences.»

«There hasn't been anything since the gala, though.»

«That makes me even more worried. But, indeed, we're facing an emergency. However, I want you and your team to continue working on it from the base. Find out who the reporter is, and check if his activities are suspicious. First, we need to deal with Mayford. Without Polenta around, there won't be any reason to spread gossip...

Even though he might connect it to me.»

After all, he was being very obvious with both economic and strategic moves.

«For now, keep the tabloids under control and make them realise that writing some gossip about Lara or me wouldn't be profitable. If the paparazzi have no one to sell the article to, we're good.»

«Yes, Alpha!»

«What's next on the list?» he wondered...

Oh, right. Samantha. She wanted to talk that morning, and he also had to tell her a couple of things regarding their plan.

«Are the soldiers back?» he asked secretary Jack.

«Yes, CEO Woods. They're currently meeting in the base and discussing the tactics. They will synchronise by the end of the morning.»

«And the human officers?»

«We've received the call but, since it's already late, they won't be here before tomorrow... But then again, tomorrow is Friday, and there's little chance they will start an inspection on Friday.»

«Yeah, it would ruin their weekend if they found something. Don't lower your guard, either way. I want everything that could bring trouble erased or fixed by the end of today.»

«Yes, Alpha, we're on it!»

Nate collected his things and reached his elevator. Lara and Samantha were already waiting for him. He preferred working out of the office not to make Lara anxious with the amount of trouble they were in.

He crossed his door and noticed the two women sitting one next to the other. Lara was caressing Samantha's shoulder, trying to hearten her, while the latter's dark expression, gloomy aura, and mixed signals made Nate worry.

What had happened?

«Hey,» he said, «you look terrible!»

«That's how I feel,» Samantha replied. «Terrible. And I deserve it, Nate.»

«What happened, for the Moon Goddess? The only thing that can make a wolf like you look like this is...»

«A mate,» Samantha confirmed. «I found my true mate. And I've also been tricked by him.»

«That's so mean,» Lara murmured, rubbing her back to reassure her.

Yet, a tricking mate?

«That's not possible. One can't just trick their mate... It's against their nature.»

«It is possible during the first times and, apparently, it continues to be possible if you think you're doing it for the greater good. I'm so sorry.»

«Why sorry?»

«Because it's my fault if Mayford found out about your family... It was my fault because I lowered my guard. I thought I could manage, somehow, but I was a fool. And, now, we're in trouble, and the war is starting...»

«Hey, wait... Start from the beginning, Sam. How can you be responsible for war?»

«Oh, Nate... My mate is from Mayford.»

«Why didn't you tell me before?»

«I was scared of your reaction. And I thought, I really thought, I could manage it. I wouldn't get attached to him, and we would meet from time to time just to relieve the effects of the bond. In my mind, it was so perfect!»

«It was doomed not to work, you know that, right?» Lara said, still comforting her. «A link to a true mate is stronger than our will, isn't it?»

«Yes, but... I thought I could trick the link and live my life.»

«So, how did everything happen?» Nate asked, sitting at his place behind the desk.

«The first time, it kind of worked. We met and left without many interactions... But then, he discovered me. Just like that, with a plate of fried wings.»

Her eyes filled with tears, and she bit her lower lip not to start crying.

«He called while I was with Jaden, and he asked me about the pup. I told him it was my brother's, and I thought it was safe. That's how Alpha Polenta discovered the pups.»

«And you thought that telling him it was your brother's would have solved it? However, he knows we're cousins. He did his research before meeting you.»

«He did,» she murmured, nodding.

«And what's his name?»

«I don't know. I told him we shouldn't know each other's names. That's why I felt safe.»

«That wasn't very smart, Sam. Everyone knows about you, even though not everyone knows how we're related. You really thought that not telling your name was enough to stay anonymous?»

«Oh, Nate. It gets only worse then. I tried to stop it, breaking up after the incident. Yet, in the end, we always ended up meeting and... You know how it works. Every time, we grew closer.»