After the morning trouble, the cubs stopped crying and ate breakfast as if nothing had happened. Except for the glares in Nate's direction, but the man didn't seem bothered.

On the contrary, he was so happy. His mate had defended him in front of the pups, in some weird and contorted sense. She had told them not to stop them from hugging, which meant she wanted him in her life enough to scold the kids for interrupting.

Oh, he would have told them a few words himself if Lara didn't. He had felt so annoyed at being interrupted, at first. But then, after witnessing how Lara felt the same, he couldn't be more grateful towards the little pests.

?Today, we can try swimming for longer,? Nate said to Jaden.historical

The little boy didn't dare to scoff or reply rudely, not in front of Lara. He could just bow his head and accept his destiny.

He could grow up faster and become stronger than Nate. Then, he could beat him like Aunty Sam suggested and become the man guarding his mother against the rest instead of always being protected.

He stuck the fork in the beef with more strength than usual, and he ate even the vegetables his mommy had placed in his plate while he was distracted.

The silent family went out late, and they reached for their umbrella without a word. The pups were too sad to play, and they kept their pouts while Lara and Nate applied the sunscreen on them.

They opened their mouths to protest when Lara started spreading it on Nate's back as well, but they remembered the scolding of that morning and stopped just in time.

She was so efficient at taking care of all three of them that they didn't have time to come up with anything to do in the meanwhile. The cubs couldn't ruin that moment, and Nate couldn't exploit it for his gain.

She then sat next to the man and started thinking about her own sensitive skin. When she was done, she remembered the three wolves, oddly following her moves with too much attention.

Had she forgotten something?

?Aren't you going to play?? she inquired, tilting her head.

After scolding her cubs, she forgot about the matter. For her, it was over. As long as they stopped acting like that, she wouldn't have any use dragging it longer.

?The sea is scary,? Scarlet mumbled. ?I can't without my mommy.?

?I see,? Lara sighed. ?Let's go. If you like it, we can come to the sea again in the future... It will be good if you learn how to swim.?

?I haven't seen my mommy swim,? Jaden remembered all of a sudden.

?It's because I can't swim if the water is low. I need a deeper level than you.?

?Hmm...? he moaned, thinking hard about the matter.

Since he couldn't really comprehend the reasons, he decided to trust his mommy and move on to the next issue. He accepted her hand, and they walked to the shore.

Nate followed from behind, letting them have some time together. He just watched over his family, stepping in the water right after them.

When the kids were surrounded by the waves, Lara stopped walking and considered sitting down and playing with them. But then, Nate stood next to her. He bowed down, offering his hands to the pups.

He carried them further, to a place with deeper water.

?You two can't swim where there isn't water either,? he said. ?You need to relax before being able to swim for real. Also, the wings are there to help you with that.?

?Wings?? Scarlet muttered, observing the balloons around her arms.

?Yes, water wings.?

?They help??

?They are supposed to, but I understand it's not enough if you don't believe it'll help.?

When he stopped, he turned back to see Lara happily strolling after them. He was so content every time they had a normal conversation.

It was obvious that she wanted her children to get along with their father. It was so transparent that he couldn't do anything else but follow her wishes. If only the pups could see that as well...

?Now?? the woman asked, stopping right next to him.

?Now, I can't keep both of them at the same time... It's better if you girls play together,? he decided.

Scarlet was happy to accept, and she moved in her mother's arms without complaint. As for Jaden, he did not have any complaints either: he wanted to learn.

?I won't risk getting you hurt right in front of your mother, right?? Nate said, making his intentions clear. That little pest could trust him for once.

?I know that already!? the little one exclaimed, sulking as if he had been treated unjustly. ?You have a second purpose for everything.?

?It's always the same purpose,? Nate sighed. ?And it's rather my first one.?

When he let Jaden slip down slowly, the little boy started moving his legs as soon as his feet were wet, splashing the water all around and against Nate.

The man had to stop the operation and hug the pup, laughing aloud.

?You're so impatient,? he commented. ?You took that from your mother for sure, for I'm the most patient man in the pack.?

Jaden nodded. It didn't sound too praising, but at least he was like his mommy.

?Let's try again. Start moving your legs only when you're in the water, okay? Not right now!?

?Yes,? Jaden sighed. He focused on not panicking, and he managed to splash less than before.

?Are you all right?? Nate inquired, weakening the grip around his arms and observing how the boy could keep up. ?I'm here, okay? Even if I let go, I'll be fast to catch you if you call.?

He tried letting him go, and Jaden laughed when he didn't slip under the waves. He called Lara to show his progress, even raising his arms to attract attention.

?Mommy, mommy! Look, I swim!? he yelled, but some water flew in his mouth as he raised his hands.

His head slipped under the water, and panic took the place of the initial joy.