CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«It was my fault!» Nate said, running a hand through his hair.

His desperate expression and guilty tone, other than his quick admission, surprised Roxy. She thought she was going to get yelled at.

Instead, the Alpha was blaming himself.

«And you warned me, but I didn't listen... I thought they would leave her alone if they felt my scent. Instead, it made things worse.»

«Things can be fixed, Alpha.»

«How?»

«Just come clean. Tell her everything about you. And ask her to become your wife. If she accepts, she'll be a regular member of the pack.»

«I can't do that,» Nate sighed. «Lara didn't accept to marry me.»

«You asked her?»

«Yes, of course.»

«Did you get on your knees and all?»

Nate blinked. Was that the problem? He didn't mind kneeling in front of Lara, but he simply didn't think of it.

In the end, he could try begging her... But would that work?

«No, I haven't,» he said. He bit his tongue before adding a yet at the end.

«That's good,» Roxy sighed. «Then there's still a chance.»

«What do you mean?»

«Human women don't have our instinct, and they can't know if someone is suitable for them just by sniffing.»

«So, how do they choose who to marry?»

«They date.»

«I knew that already, but what are the criteria? Wealth? Looks?»

Roxy curled her lips, her brows moving down.

Which were human women's criteria? Or a woman's criteria at all. What made her accept Bass when they started going out together? It was so much time ago that she had almost forgotten.

«Women like someone who makes them feel wanted,» she said. «I think that's the most important criteria to consider. Then, they might look at the rest: wealth and looks are the first things they check, but if the person doesn't give them some attention, they eventually get tired of it.»

Nate nodded, rewinding his previous conversations with Lara.

Indeed, he didn't make it clear enough. He did ask her to marry him, and he offered to live all together under the same roof, but it could all be interpreted as him taking his responsibilities.

«I shall tell her,» he murmured. «Do you think she'll give me a chance? You talked with her a lot, Roxy. You should know her a little, now.»

«Not enough to answer such a personal question,» the woman replied, getting defensive. Why was she shouldering such a big responsibility?

Getting their Alpha together with his mate should have been easier, for the Moon Goddess. What was going on there? What was the problem?

«Maybe, it's not the case to tell her everything at once,» she tried. Being cautious was still the best option.

«I know that already. I wanted to make Lara comfortable with my presence without telling her of my intentions.»

«When she talked about you, I felt as if she was talking of... I don't know whom, but definitely not a potential suitor. As if you weren't involved in her life but helped her out of your good heart. She doesn't consider you as the pups' father. Not really.»

«I know that as well. But she refuses any help. Every time, she backs away and tells me she can manage.»

«Oh, that is a hell of a stubborn one... You only manage to help without letting her know... Hmm... As for the pups, how is it going on that end?»

«I don't know,» Nate said. «One moment, they seem to accept me a little. But the following moment, they're attacking me to defend their mommy.»

«To defend their mommy?» Roxy murmured. «What have you done to her, for goodness? Is that why you're in such a good mood?»

«I just got a hug.»

And he was happy about that? Until hearing about the incident, the CEO's office was such a radiant place. Nothing to do with the usual hell of the first day after a Black Moon.

«But she didn't want to kiss me. She blocked the kiss, but I'm sure she wanted it... I don't understand, Roxy. Why is she pushing me back like this?»

«She's human. Human women don't follow their instinct. And she might feel some effect of the bond... Do you think she feels the same as you? That you're mates?»

«She does. Not as much as me, but she definitely does.»

«Then, she feels something she has no clue about. You have to talk to her, Alpha. You need to make her realise what's happening until she understands. Even the night you first met... She wasn't herself. Something powerful she didn't know could exist brought her to you. Do you think a human woman can accept it just like that?»

Nate was startled, realising what could have been the matter.

«What if she's scared? If the link is bringing us one towards the other, and she doesn't know what it is, she might be frightened, right?»

«That's possible. Even wolves can have a hard time accepting it.»

Nate nodded. His mind started working at full regime.

The first time they locked eyes, she had almost smiled at him. Her body had relaxed, and she would have let him kiss her if he tried to.

Why wasn't she accepting that instinct?

Was it because of his lacking abilities? Was he a bad lover?

«I should learn more,» he said.

And he should have found ways to be more creative.

«Just remember, Alpha: human women first date and then build a relationship. A restaurant before a bed. Clear?»

«I know that,» Nate murmured. «It's just difficult to get her into a restaurant.»

«You can't force her.»

«That's right. But she doesn't simply reject me. She acts as if I've never asked her out. She starts talking about the pups and other stuff... I had to use them as an excuse just for lunch!»

«It means you're not clear enough. Find a way to talk with her alone. Without pups in the way, or they'll defend their mother again. Tell her how you feel and what you want. At least, you'll know where you stand.»

He nodded, snorting helplessly.

Meanwhile, Roxy crossed her fingers to finally see some development.. After spending six years taking care of the pack, it was time to leave that role to someone else. If her suggestion worked and helped Nate get together with his mate, she would have asked for a leave!

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