CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Judging from Roxy's reaction, that was a first. It wasn't as normal to come to the HR office to ask for... What, a dating partner?

Moreover, the same woman who had accused Lara to be thirsty was asking for a man. Wasn't that hilarious? As hilarious as to cry.

«I don't know how to solve this,» Roxy said.

She turned to Lara, signalling that she was giving up that task. No one in six years had come to ask her for help in mating. That was a line she wouldn't cross.

Fulfilling the tasks of a Female Alpha was one thing, but dealing with something as delicate as love was out of the question. Lara at least had Nate's support, so she could have found a way to hearten the girl if she couldn't find a prompt solution. Oh, only if she wanted to hearten the person who had insulted her.

Only then, did the girl seem to notice they weren't alone in the room.

«You didn't feel her presence?» Roxy asked.

The girl shook her head, turning behind to see Lara at the second desk. Usually, Bass Cooper would sit where Roxy was, and Roxy would walk around while working and use both desks as she pleased.

Lately, Bass Cooper hadn't been seen in the company.

«Alpha Lara?» the girl murmured.

Her face turned red, and she bent her neck to hide it. She clenched her fists and pressed them on the thighs, inhaling deeply and ready to talk.

«I shall apologise! I'm sorry!»

«Hmm?» Lara said. «Now that you know that the unknown father of my kids is Nate, you know how to say sorry?»

The girl nodded, not adding any word.

«Sorry about what exactly?»

«About speaking like that. I'm sorry, and those weren't my true thoughts.»

«No?»

«No. You're not easy. Anyone would stay with Alpha Nate, right?»

«Right,» Lara sighed.

What a weird conversation.

Their first exchange had come out out of a drama show. So much that Lara hadn't asked herself why she was attacked. It had been because of Nate's scent and the lack of any official act, most likely.

«So, now that I'm with Nate, it's fine...»

«It is... Every single one of us would have liked to be with the Alpha. We were jealous... And I was more jealous than the others and dared speak like that,» the woman added, her eyes watery. «I'm ready for any punishment for the words I said.»

«So, you're apologising for telling me I'm easy and that my kids are bastards.»

«I never said anything about the kids!»

«Oh, yes... That's true. Just that I was left because I'm too plain or something like that.»

«I didn't know a thing.»

«What about hooking up with managers?» Lara added.

That was the second thing that hurt her the most, after mentioning her kids. What had made them think she would hook up with any manager there if she could have Nate? Were they blind?

Oh, but, back then, she thought Nate was one of them. So, she had felt a little odd... It wasn't as unpleasant, thinking about it after so much time...

Well, actually, a few weeks. But it felt like forever.

It didn't hurt like back then. It was just awkward. At the same time, Lara wanted to make the other girl suffer a little - just a little - and forget about the matter altogether.

«What's wrong with hooking up with a manager?» the girl asked, tilting her head.

At that admission, Lara couldn't help but sigh.

«It's just that it's impossible. Most managers already have a family. They have a mate and won't look at another female like that,» the woman added.

«I see... You knew it was impossible. You just wanted to hurt me when you said that.»

«Yes, that is true.»

«Because you were jealous.»

«Yes.»

«And now you are not? After all, I succeeded in... Uhm? Hooking up with the CEO?»

«No, you're the Alpha's mate. The Alpha female.»

«Oh, that's right. You called me like that before, even using my birth name. Is that a thing among wolves?»

«You are our Alpha,» the girl said, plainly as if it was obvious.

Lara's brain couldn't process the situation any further. She just nodded, murmuring: «apologies taken,» and trying to dispel the incoming headache.

Why hadn't anyone warned her that being Nate's woman meant dealing with drastic changes of attitude? She was expecting the girls' envy to be amplified. Not to disappear all of a sudden.

«But what is that about mating?» she continued. «Why do you come here?»

«I want a pup but have no boyfriend.»

«Oh,» Lara sighed. «That indeed is an issue. If it's just about the pups, I can tell you how I had them without a boyfriend.»

«It would be awesome, Alpha!»

«Don't call me like that,» Lara said. It made her cringe.

«Then how? Oh, humans use... Ehm, Miss Clayton? Mrs Woods?»

The innocence with which the other girl talked was a little confusing.

«Just Lara. For the moment.»

«Oh, okay. But I feel shy,» she said, her face red. «Am I really allowed?»

«Oh, jeez. Why do you come here to ask about mating? Can't you do it on your own?» Lara replied, losing patience.

«Because I don't know how to do it. It hasn't happened before. And I'm not alone, Alpha. The other girls feel just like me.»

«But they are too shy to come and ask,» Lara said.

«No, they just haven't thought of it. I'm faster to think,» the girl chuckled as if she had found the solution to all problems.

«Still, this is too new to be by chance,» Roxy said, attracting the others' attention back. «Mating is a personal matter, and you don't really need us to help you.»

«But, Roxy... How?» the girl said, her face desperate. «We don't know how to date! Where can we even find males?»