?I wouldn't have imagined you were this kind of person, Mr Woods!? the woman yelled, with no shame nor thought about her image. ?Are you taking advantage of our daughter, by any chance? We shouldn't allow you to...?

?If you cared about protecting her, you would have done so earlier. Don't you think now is a little late?? he said, interrupting her.

His sapphire eyes were thick ice, and his shoulders were straight to defend his mate. Her family appeared after a long while, and they came directly to him instead of bothering her any further.

Lara didn't even know about that, and it was fine like that. Nate was willing to bear any attack for her, as long as Lara wasn't wounded. He wasn't sure whether she could have left such a discussion unscathed, so he wasn't going to let those people approach her any closer.

?If you thought to come here with such a claim, you can go back and spare our time and nerves,? Nate added. ?Lara doesn't need a family who doesn't care about her. She has one now, and we are taking care of her just fine.?

Mrs Clayton's eyes widened in shock. Since when could that wench attract someone as charming and well-positioned as Nathaniel Woods? She wasn't expecting her daughter to be such a gold-digger!

It was a pity she left before showing her capabilities...

?After all we went through to raise her, she left without any explanation,? the woman sighed. ?Even if she abandoned us, she's still our daughter. We will protect her through and through, no matter what you think about it, Mr Woods!?

Nate raised his brow, surprised by such a prompt change of attitude. That woman was good at reading his priorities, even if she couldn't grasp the situation.

?Are you trying to keep her far from her birth family?? she added, crossing her arms in a challenge.

In all that time, Mr Clayton stood silent and listened, sweating a little because of his wife's words. Still, he didn't add nor deny anything.

?I'm glad she's free now,? Nate sighed. ?I can't imagine how hard it must have been for her all that time...?

His gaze wandered to the window, for he couldn't stand to look at these two anymore. What had Lara done to deserve such a harsh family? Oh, he would have given her a loving one from that day on. He would have forced his mother and Samantha to be more than just polite. She deserved to know how a real family felt.

?You don't know her as well as we do,? Mrs Clayton added, pursing her lips and chuckling lightly. ?We've raised that ungrateful woman. We know her true colours.?

That said, she raised her chin and walked out, followed by Mr Clayton. He didn't add anything except for a brief greeting to Nate, and they entered the elevator to leave the company.

?You can call if you're interested in knowing more,? Mrs Clayton spat out before the door closed.

She couldn't imagine how those words acted on Nate.

He already knew what they wanted to hint, but the chance to see pictures of her from when she was a kid... to know what she liked to do, and what she feared... It all was too alluring.

It was a trap, of course. Yet, it was a tempting trap.

?Make sure they reach the exit without causing a ruckus,? he said to the nearest secretary. It was a girl from the secretarial team, one of those who attacked Lara without any real reason.

?Yes, Alpha,? she squealed, wincing in place when she got Nate's attention.

It was a weird phenomenon: most girls in the pack would have liked to become the Alpha's companions. Yet, almost every single one of them couldn't bear to look him in the eye. Oh, male wolves couldn't stand such pressure either, but the girls didn't mind it as much.

They were attracted by the single Alpha: it was a matter of instinct. Yet, they couldn't think straight when they were too close to him.

Deep in their heart, they knew it was a sign. They weren't fit for an Alpha, especially their Alpha. But dreaming has never been forbidden.

?Are they Miss Clayton's parents?? she then asked, waking up from her daze. Even if the Alpha was dangerous and his presence was overbearing, curiosity won.

?Why do you ask?? he said, in fact. His tone was calm, not threatening nor too concerned. He was curious, as well. Knowing how the other wolves in the pack reacted to Lara was one of his worries.

?Just curious, Alpha. I'm sorry,? she stuttered.

?No need to be sorry. Just, what would you think if they were her parents??

?I didn't mean to eavesdrop!?

She had started panicking a little, so Nate sighed and took a step in the other direction. Unwed girls were so difficult to talk with for an Alpha. Too bad he was interested in the reply, for once.

?You didn't eavesdrop. It was that woman who yelled. She wanted everyone to hear...?

?I think... It's a little pitiful, Alpha,? she said.

If even that woman's mother would talk like that about her daughter, it was no surprise Lara Clayton just left when they had tried pushing her in a corner.

The girl regretted that harsh treatment for a moment.

Their words had been a little heavy, indeed. Especially because they knew nothing about that girl! In the end, it turned out her pups were the Alpha's. None other than Nate was the father, so the pups were rightfully part of the pack.

?Pitiful?? Nate said. ?I think she's brave and strong. Isn't she??historical

?Yes, of course. I was talking about the parents. They still don't know who they were living with.?

They let go of Nathaniel Woods's mate, after all. That would be a huge loss for any family.

?That's right,? Nate sighed. ?They don't know how beautiful she is.?

A little uncomfortable, the girl nodded.. Still, after seeing the Alpha's enamoured gaze, she felt a little less threatened by his presence.