?It's just a tabloid, Lara. Their job is to write shit so that people buy it. I hoped you wouldn't see it,? Nate sighed, still hugging her.

?You knew about it??

?I received a detailed report about it this morning.?

?Is that why you forgot me home?? she murmured. ?Because you didn't want me to find out??

It would have been an easy way out of trouble. Saying he left her sleeping because of the article and not for what had happened that morning. He still had issues looking her in the eye after that.

?No. I just couldn't bring myself to disturb your sleep.? Saying the truth was the better option.

?Nate, I lost a day at work because of that. I don't want to slack off just because I'm dating the boss. If anything, I should work more!?

?I'm sorry, Lara. You were sleeping so soundly, and it felt wrong to wake you up. The alarm rang, and I turned it off.?

?So, it wasn't my phone not working,? she realised. ?You turned it off!?

She split from him, already forgetting the gossip about her. She looked him in the eye with an annoyed frown and waited for more explanations.

?Sorry,? Nate repeated.

?You always say sorry, but then you make decisions in my stead again.?

?It was not a decision. Rather, I wanted you to be happy and relaxed.?

He moved his gaze on the carpet, lowering his voice so that Scarlet - who was still on the sofa - wouldn't have paid any attention. She could hear, there was no solution to that. But with a low tone, Nate could hope the little girl would spend all her attention on the pictures of her mommy.

?I couldn't do it, really. You were so beautiful while sleeping in my bed. I wanted you to stay there longer, and it all ended out of my control.?

?Oh,? she sighed. ?You're unbelievable!?

?Am I??

?Whose bed should we use, then? Mine isn't good. Yours neither. Are we fated to sleep on the grass in the garden??

?Would you like that?? he asked, already starting to plan a feasible...

?No! I like beds more. And yours was so comfortable. But I can't sleep there if I risk losing my place at work.?

?You won't...?

?Don't say it,? she said, raising her index finger and pointing it at Nate. ?Don't say you won't fire me because it wouldn't help you.?

?But it's the truth!?

?Someone else would do my part of the job. That's pretty much losing my position. Also, I've barely started getting used to the pack. I don't want to go back to knowing nothing, and the only way is interacting with others.?

She leaned her head on Nate's chest, knowing very well that it was a dirty trick to win the argument. But, somehow, the fact that it was working made her feel so powerful.

?You don't want me to live alone in between four walls, do you?? she asked.

?No, of course not. You're free to do what you want. Especially sleeping over once in a while.?

?You didn't exhaust me during the night, Nate,? she chuckled. ?What in the world? What would have happened if we actually slept together? Would I have won a one-week holiday??

?Do you want a holiday??

?Jeez, no!?

?I'm... confused, Lara. I don't know what to do, and the Black Moon is making everything so much more difficult. Have some patience with me, will you? Then, once the Black Moon is over, you can scold me all you want.?

?I don't need to scold you. It's enough if you stop acting like the big boss and let me make my own decisions.?

?Sure,? he chuckled. ?I'll try my best to do that.?

Lost in the chat, they had forgotten about a small detail.

?Have you seen Jaden?? Melanie asked while walking in.

Her appearance made the couple split, and they saw how Scarlet was carefully tearing the pages where Lara appeared. She was planning to keep the pictures as memories and, since she couldn't read, she couldn't be sure where the article ended. As such, she tried saving the whole pages where possible.

As for Jaden, he had run out and disappeared in the hallways after seeing the damned article.

?Where is he?? Lara murmured in another principle of panic.

She followed the path her son took a few minutes before, letting her mother's instinct tell her where to stop and look better.

?Jaden?? she called out loud.

Still, the boy didn't reply.

?Don't scare your mommy, Jaden. Come here, please.?

She walked past the doors, wondering whether it would have been too much to open every single one in search of her cub.

Luckily, she didn't have to wonder for too long. Nate came to help, and he opened the door of the room where Jaden was. He could sense him with his sharp nose, and he could hear his sobs and heartbeat with his sensitive ears.

?He's here,? he whispered, letting Lara walk into what looked like an unused dining room.

?Jaden?? she called, and she followed the sobs till she reached the darkest corner. The boy's eyes were glowing in the dark, and she crouched in front of him, opening her arms in an offer for a hug. ?Come here, mommy's boy.?

Since his mommy was asking, how could he refuse? Jaden crawled to her and hid his face in her chest. He continued crying while she carried him out, and he let her comfort his hidden fears.historical

?That man can't hurt you anymore, Jaden,? Lara said. ?And he can't hurt me either. Nate was there to protect me. That's why I came back unscathed, right? Because your father is stronger than that person.?

She continued reassuring Jaden, throwing a few glances at Nate in search of help.

?Mommy, don't leave us for that man,? Jaden cried. ?He's not good. If you need to choose, then choose Nate.?

?Nate?? Lara chuckled.

Was her cub accepting his father, finally? Too bad it was all a reaction to a greater threat.