CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«Why does Jaden play with her?» asked Scarlet, pointing at Stella with her finger.

When Jaden had pushed the little girl behind him, willing to protect her, Scarlet's expression had turned even darker. What was happening?

«You can also play with her. You three can have fun together,» Lara tried.

However, she sat on the sofa. It was better to avoid leaving them alone, especially when she wasn't sure what exactly made Scarlet so wary of a baby. Was she jealous? Could it be so simple?

«Big brother will protect you, Stella,» Jaden said, holding the girl's hand.

Stella beamed, happy to have his attention. The darker expression on Scarlet's face made Lara understand she was most likely right.

Scarlet was jealous of her brother.

«You are not her brother!» she exclaimed, in fact.

How odd, though. It was as if Scarlet could sense something Lara couldn't. Was there some wolf magic going on?

Since there were no claws nor glowing eyes anywhere, Lara didn't interfere but just observed in silence.

«You can have mommy for yourself,» Jaden said.

At those words, Scarlet seemed to calm down and consider the exchange. However, Lara's heart sank. How could her sweet son sell her off just like that? To spend some time with another pup?

She didn't know whether to be proud of his smart move - he had solved Scarlet's enmity - or feel offended because he didn't want her anymore. Yet, since everything was calm, she didn't say a word.

She would have talked with Nate later; maybe he knew what was the matter. Could her kids be as territorial as to be wary of any stranger, no matter how harmless, getting in between them? It was dangerous if any of the two would attack other pups... They needed to solve it before anyone got hurt.

Also, she knew what had happened with Samantha. Scarlet was similar to her... She didn't want to be separated from either of her children. Solving it early meant they could continue living together if it was the same issue.

«Here, here,» she heard behind her.

It was Roxy's voice. She was pulling the two children with her. One was seven years old while the other was a couple of years older. They had walked out soon after following Lara inside, so Roxy had brought them back.

«You can play with them. But be patient: the twins are younger than you.»

«But mom, it's boring,» the older one complained. «I don't want to play with pups!»

«Pups? What are you, then?» Roxy chuckled. «Be good and don't throw a tantrum, will you?»

They nodded, but their attention was soon stolen by the show near the lower table. Jaden was showing Stella his toys, explaining to her how they worked. The little girl would listen to him as if she understood, even if her brothers knew she didn't.

She was just listening to his voice.

What boring pup could keep their sister's attention for so long? At that, without doing anything much. They weren't running and chasing each other or pretending to fight. They were just... talking?

Not far from them, in the corner of the sofa, there was another pup nestled. She was glaring at the couple, sulking as if she had been significantly offended.

«Hey, what's happening here?» Roxy inquired. She walked to Lara and sat on the nearby armchair.

«I have no clue. I think Scarlet is jealous because her brother pays attention to someone else.»

«I am not jealous!» she exclaimed.

She slipped down from the sofa and ran to her mother. The other two pups took the chance to occupy the space. They sat there, in silence, shy and proper.

Scarlet climbed on Lara's lap and sat there, turning to Jaden again.

«I love my mommy very much!» she added.

Lara felt even worse than before. Was Scarlet the one using her now? She was cuddling just to take Jaden's attention back.

However, when it didn't work, she didn't return to her old place. She sat more comfortably and pushed her head against Lara until the latter started to pet her.

At least she still liked her mother a little, Lara thought.

«I'm glad our children get along,» Roxy said. «But it's really odd. Not in a weird way, but... Stella doesn't like strangers this much. I guess it's because Jaden looks like Nate but isn't as threatening.»

«Maybe,» Lara sighed. «But what I can't understand is why Jaden is so taken. I wouldn't have imagined him taking care of a younger kid like this.»

While they were talking, Stella crawled closer to Jaden. She caught his arm again and opened her mouth wide before biting it. All under their mothers' stupefied gazes.

«This is new,» Lara murmured. «Is she turning?»

«It's too early,» Roxy said. She moved to get up, but Lara stopped her.

«Let's wait and see,» she whispered, still caressing Scarlet's back and head. Discover more stories at empire

Jaden didn't push Stella away. In fact, he tilted his head.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

«Are you hungry?» he asked.

«Jaa...» she said, biting his arm again.

«Do your teeth tingle?» he continued. «I would also bite my mommy when I was little like you. Luckily, my teeth stopped tingling soon... Even though Scarlet continued for longer. Mommy bought us toys to bite, but they would eventually break.»

He patted Stella's head, even though she didn't seem to need much comfort. She saw nothing wrong with what she was doing.

«Your son remembers so much?» Roxy whispered, leaning closer to Lara. «That's new! Most pups don't remember what happened before they started turning.»

«I don't know... Jaden does have a good memory. He wouldn't talk this much before, so I started noticing lately. He remembers a lot of things, including the nights of the full moon.»

«That's quite the self-control. He will become like Nate when he grows up.»

«I wouldn't bet on it,» Lara sighed. Nate didn't have as much self-control, all things considered.

But, somehow, saying it out loud felt wrong. Maybe, because his pack saw his controlled and cold self. But, with her, he knew how to lose his mind.

It was something she could keep for herself. A secret she only knew.

«That's an Alpha's pup for you,» Roxy continued. «Does my daughter already like powerful wolves? Could that be why she likes Jaden?»

«I don't know,» Lara said. «She doesn't like Scarlet, and Scarlet should be as powerful.»

«Oh, that's... Hmm, what if... What if they're mates?»