Lara observed the cubs running around Samantha and playing with her, and she wondered if they would have been so happy if their mommy was a wolf. She could have met their needs earlier if only she had known about them.

She could have played with them without getting hurt.

Sensing her mood, Nate reached out to her shoulder and pointed at the door with his head.

They walked into the hut, and he turned the stove on to make some tea.

?It's a difficult period for Samantha,? he exclaimed. ?She's a loner, yet she found a mate. She needs time to accept it... I hope you won't mind it.?

?She's helping us with the kids. How could I mind it? Also, I can tell she's growing attached to them. Jaden calls her aunty already. I haven't heard Scarlet say it, but I believe she also likes her.?

?So, it's fine,? he sighed.

?Yes. Also, Samantha is part of your family. I don't have nosy relatives who will butt in, after all. It's good that the kids feel what it is like to be part of a family. And of a pack, of course. I'm glad they have people to rely on other than me.?

Nate sighed, relieved, pouring the hot water in two mugs and offering one to Lara. She accepted the tea and smiled, comforted by the atmosphere in the hut. It was a little dim, for the lights couldn't cover the whole place, but that didn't make it scary. On the contrary, it felt even more intimate.

Since the situation outside was under control - even though the growls and screams didn't lower in volume - they could relax a little.

Nate seemed calm, but the full moon was starting to have an effect on him as well. He didn't plan on turning in front of Lara unless she asked him, but his thoughts were straying a little when his senses began to feel everything about her.

Usually, he would have been able to sense his surroundings with more clarity. Yet that night, he was too attracted to his mate to see anything else. All there was, was Lara.

?Are they going to play all night?? she wondered, turning to Nate only to notice his fixed gaze. ?Hmm??

She tilted her head, taking a step back when he walked closer. Not to escape from him... Rather, to be able to look at him better.

?What's going on?? she asked while her body was crossed by a thrill. She didn't know how to interpret the thousands of emotions raging in her heart, in her lungs, her belly...

He was looking at her as if he wanted to eat her, yet that didn't make her worried the least. Her body was a little too excited for that situation, but it wasn't the first time weird things had happened.

When Nate left his mug, still steaming, on the table, she realised it was better to get rid of hers as well - lest it caused some little incident with the hot water.

?I want you,? he said.

She sighed at his voice, and she tilted her head while the words flew through her brain in search of meaning. She wanted to agree with him, but she wasn't very clear about what she was getting herself into.

Just like the first time they met, he offered his hand. She held it, entwining their fingers and following him to who knows where.

In the end, they just took a few steps and closed the door of the first bedroom. Nate pushed her on the wood, locking her hand next to her head and her body close to his.

Their lips brushed against each other, and their minds lost their compass for a long, sweet while.

?Look at me,? Nate whispered, waiting for her eyes to open and stay on him. ?Only at me.?

He held her by her waist and swirled around, stepping towards the bed. When they were close enough, he let her go and watched as she stumbled and fell on the mattress.

Her eyes noticed his ears, and she sucked in a breath. Her fingers clenched the sheets, and her heart jumped out of her chest in something that resembled fear but unfortunately was not.

She couldn't believe that the calm Nate she was used to could lose control like that. She didn't know he had moments like those.

His knee landed in between her legs as he bowed forward and caught her lips again. He sustained his weight on the arms, attentive not to bother Lara's delicate body.

His fingers slipped under her blouse, touching her stomach and following the line of her side to her waist. He didn't dare move higher, and his hands moved lower to settle on her hip.historical

Only when she surrounded his neck with her arms and returned the kiss with her usual passion, Nate chuckled in his heart and split from her.

?Mine,? he said, just like a kid with his favourite toy.

Lara couldn't help but giggle, turning to the side and inviting him to lie next to her. She wasn't strong enough to overturn him, so she didn't even try. Not that she needed: he would do anything she asked of him.

?Is this some wolf thing?? she asked. ?Getting all possessive when the moon is full??

Nate hugged her tightly, but he didn't dare touch her again. There were many places he wanted to explore; there were many spots on her skin he wanted to kiss. Yet, he couldn't just do what he wanted before making sure she was okay with it.

The way she looked at him was clear enough, but he didn't want to take that risk for a second time.

?I don't know if it's a wolf thing,? he sighed. ?And I'm not sure it's because of the Bright Moon.?

?Will you become like this every month, then??

?I don't know. Is it a problem? Are you unhappy about it??

He pecked her forehead, inhaling her scent and feeling her hair under his fingertips.

?It's fine,? she chuckled, unaware of how dangerous he could be. Her muscles were relaxed, and her expression was calm.. As if he wasn't a big, dangerous wolf who had almost lost control.