CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

They went by bike.

Samantha parked it in the outer layer, in a corner where it didn't look like being in the way. She left the helmets in the seat and locked the bike before turning to Amanda.

«Why park here? We have a lot of space in front of our home,» the girl complained.

«We can check the situation as we walk. You're safe by my side, okay? I won't let anyone hurt you.»

«I'm not worried for me... Just, it's a lot of walking...»

«Let's go, then,» Samantha said.

They passed through the circles, finding wounded and depressed wolves who barely glanced at them. Some of them were packing their things and angrily cursing the Alpha, while others just stared into the void in search of the meaning of their lives.

That was what a disbanding pack looked like. Still, Samantha felt bad for them. Even at the worst times, Norwich had never reached that level of despair.

A wolf without a pack had a tough life. A whole pack disbanding was akin to a tragedy, not less scary than a hurricane or a tsunami. For them, who couldn't survive alone, it was the end of their world.

«What happened?» Amanda inquired.

«We're going somewhere else. We don't want to defend an Alpha who doesn't think twice before running away,» said one of those packing.

«Maybe, it's part of a plan,» another one added, from across the road.

«He never tells us his plans. How are we supposed to just believe him?»

«You don't need to, in fact. You can go since you don't care about this pack anymore!»

«It's not me who doesn't care!»

While the two started arguing, the girls walked away. They found the same atmosphere in the middle circles, and they reached Amanda's home with a disheartened expression.

«This is worse than I've imagined,» Samantha said. «Your pack has cohesiveness issues, really.»

«It's because the Alpha abandoned them... And they still don't know about the lies. I fear they'll be more troubled when it's revealed.»

«There still are some who are waiting for him. They better get over their expectations because Luciano Polenta won't be able to re-establish the pack after this.»

«So, it's the end, isn't it?»

«Seems so,» Samantha sighed. «Let's look for your brother.»

«He's strong. I'm sure he's all right!»

«Strong?» Samantha chuckled, oddly amused by Amanda's statement.

«Yes, he's the strongest after the Alpha!»

«You're his sister; you're not reliable.»

«Oh, come on! Couldn't you notice his strength while... well, ehm, while knowing each other better?»

«He didn't use his strength on me. But yes, I guess he is strong even for a wolf.»

«I told you! He must be all right if all those weaklings don't have a scratch.»

«They don't have scratches because they didn't fight. Nate Woods doesn't like to pick on weak people. He let them go and focused on his real enemy.»

«Your Nate Woods sounds different from the Nathaniel Woods we know. He was ruthless with us in the past, and now he attacked us - apparently - for no reason.»

«Your people deserve to know the truth, Amanda. They need to understand why they have been attacked and why the pack doesn't exist anymore.»

«It exists,» Amanda said. «It's on the breaking point; any pressure and it will dissolve, but I can feel the link.»

«Which means you are no Omega anymore.»

«That's right,» she chuckled. «They won't treat me like garbage from now on!»

«If there is a they, Mandy.»

«Yes, but... I have a good feeling. We did lose a battle... We lost a war, but this can become a new beginning.»

«You're an optimist. It's not a bad thing... But don't let it cloud your judgement.»

«I'm more of a realist than you two think!»

«We two?»

«You and my brother. You both think I live in a parallel dimension.»

«Oh, well...» Samantha sighed. «Shall we get in?»

«Sure, follow me. Mama will be happy to meet you. She's always been curious about my brother's women, but he wouldn't talk about it. Oh, mostly because he didn't care about them! Not because he's shy. But he's been so reserved, all the time, even when it was about you.»

«Reserved? As in, he didn't care enough to tell his family?» Samantha asked, feeling a sting of jealousy at the girl's words.

Who were all these women? Oh, but she was no lamb either. She did have boyfriends before him, but it didn't mean a thing to her. They were just a way to try looking normal when she actually felt far and detached from everyone.

«It's different with you. First of all, you two are mates. And, then... He told me! Because I found out... But still, he wouldn't bother answering any questions before.

Also, mama knows you're special because you marked him.»

«That was an incident.»

«I know, but my brother didn't mind. That's what makes it special. He was kind of... ehm, happy?»

«He made me think his life became harder because of me and that I've hurt his pride.»

«I bet he did,» Amanda chuckles. «He's so wicked, sometimes. But he's a good person.»

And, Amanda thought, she was glad Samantha was accepting to talk about it like that. She thought they would never communicate again, but Samantha seemed to be accepting, slowly, that Renato would be part of her life.

«Come in,» she said, opening the door. «After finding my brother and making sure he's okay, I can show you my room!»

She walked in, running inside. She thought twice before yelling she was back, but her parents weren't sleeping even if it was the middle of the night.

«I'm back!» she said.

Her parents appeared in the hallway and ran to her. They hugged her tightly, kissing her head and making sure she was all right.

«I missed you, mama, papa,» Amanda said, her eyes filling with tears. «I missed you so much!»

«It was for your good,» her father pointed out, stepping back to look at her once again.

Only after a while did the two wolves notice the second figure in their hallway. A stunning, blonde woman with one eye like the forest and the other like ice.

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