CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Even with Luther's sudden visit, Melanie hadn't cancelled the other appointments scheduled for the day.

For lunch, they were having a barbecue with Bass Cooper and his family.

Luther had already packed his things and left soon after hearing the news. He didn't want to intrude in their private time more than that. And he also didn't want to steal the attention.

There would be many kids who needed to play together. It would have been unfair to monopolise the twins.

He was something new, so it was quite understandable that they found him interesting. If he was around too often, that effect wouldn't last.

He waved his hand and walked away before Melanie had time to call a taxi or send someone to drive him. He was used to walking already, and it felt refreshing after decades in a closed space.

Soon after, Bass and Roxy finally arrived. They parked next to Nate's car, and Bass opened the doors for his pups. They got off and walked to their mother, feeling shy because of that new place.

Only Stella didn't pay much attention. She waited for her dad to pick her up, and then, from her high place, she observed all the other people in the garden.

When her eyes met Lara, she beamed. She reached out to her, almost falling down from Bass's arms.

The man observed dumbfounded how his daughter dared to shift until making their Alpha female carry her. How could she be so shameless? She didn't know any manners!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

But, also, it was natural for pups to be attracted to Lara. She was someone they saw as a protector from the other Alpha figure of the pack.

«Hello, Stella!» Lara said, caressing the pup's back. «You came here to play, didn't you?»

The little girl didn't seem to understand her words; she just giggled and smiled, radiant like the sun.

Even her older brothers blushed when they saw Lara and followed her to the living room in silence.

«You can play together,» she said to them. «Even though my kids are younger... I hope it doesn't become too boring.»

As soon as they crossed the door, however, Stella let go of Lara. She looked around, almost sniffing the air. She moved her eyes from one side to the other but couldn't see what she wanted to see.

«Jaa?» she inquired.

«He's here,» Lara replied with a chuckle. «Just went out for a moment.»

Scarlet was sitting on the sofa, observing the three pups suddenly appearing out of nowhere. They were too close to her mommy, but she had been scolded enough in the past. She just glared at them from a distance without doing nor saying anything. It was best to control her rage and wait for them to be gone.

She would have her mommy all to herself soon enough.

«Jaa!» Stella repeated.

She pointed at the floor, and Lara let her down. She helped her stand until she was stable and let her go when the pup started running towards the door. She shouted, calling her friend, and laughed aloud when Jaden appeared at the door.

She grabbed his arm and pushed her face on it, rubbing her nose on his sleeve.

«Hello, Stella,» said Jaden, surprised but not bothered by the assault.

«Jaa!»

«You remember my name,» the little boy chuckled, taking her hand and guiding her back to the living room. «Today, we can play with Scarlet too!»

Stella followed him without resistance until she saw the glowing eyes on the couch. She stopped her walk and pulled Jaden back, pointing at Scarlet when the other girl gritted her teeth.

Surprised but wary, Jaden pushed Stella behind him. He did it out of instinct, and he didn't have time to wonder about what was happening. Of one thing, he was aware: his sister was dangerous when angry.

And she did look angry at the moment.

«What?» he inquired.

«Why are you with her?» Scarlet spit out.

Lara had already turned to walk out, but at her daughter's tone, she stopped. She turned and saw her threatening eyes and claws. Scarlet was going to attack Stella!

«Hey, Scarlet!» Lara called her, but it was in vain.

Experience tales at empire

The tension between the three pups was tangible. It filled the room and made it difficult to breathe. It didn't look like children's play... Adults wouldn't be so serious when fighting!

Meanwhile, Jaden took a step to cover Stella with his body, preventing Scarlet from glaring directly at her.

«She's too little!» he complained. «You can't fight with her!»

«Why?»

«Because she's still small. She can't even use her claws, Scarlet.»

«You're defending her!»

«I am,» Jaden said. «So what?»

His eyes also shined with a blue light. It had been a long time since Lara saw her son like that. It was the signal that something was wrong.

«Hey, you three!» she called again.

Her tone made all three pups turn, and even Stella appeared from behind Jaden. She looked at Lara while clinging to her friend.

Lara lifted a finger and pointed it towards her cubs.

«No fighting!» she exclaimed. «No fangs, no claws! No howling!»

«We weren't going to howl,» Jaden pointed out.

«Talk for yourself!» said Scarlet.

Lara sighed, annoyed. Her cubs had been calm and quiet for a long while, indeed. Also, she couldn't remember a time when they had fought one against the other... They would sabotage each other to get more attention, sometimes. But fighting so openly? No way.

What for? Just because Jaden was playing with another kid and not paying exclusive attention to Scarlet? But it wasn't the first time!

He had his friends at school, and Scarlet had hers.

«What's wrong with you two?» Lara inquired. «Why are you ready to jump at each other's throat?»

«I don't want to, mommy! It's Scarlet,» Jaden said, worried his mommy would scold him badly. «I'm just protecting Stella. She doesn't have fangs and claws. Scarlet will hurt her if she

Why did it look so complicated, by the way? Since when could kids create more drama than adults?