historical

?Mommy, I want to wear the new shoes,? Scarlet said as soon as she got up.

That morning, the cubs were lively more than ever. They got up earlier than her and started gathering all they thought they could need during the day. Surprisingly, they seemed happy to go to school.

Kindergarten was such a long word, and it didn't sound pretty to the cubs. So, they started saying school. Lara didn't crush their dreams and used that same word as well.

In the end, they would learn how to stay in society. They would be taught how to do many things. It was, in some way, a school.

?I need the hat, mommy,? Jaden added. ?It will cover my ears.?

?Sure,? she chuckled, packing the last few things. ?But you better find a way to control your ears, Jaden.?

?Nate told me how.?

?He's not Nate. He's your father!?

?He cringes more than me when I say that. It's better not to insist,? he sighed.

Lara giggled at her son's demeanour. She was surprised by how cold he could be towards Nate, but it was a matter of time. Sooner or later, the cubs would accept him.

?Am I pretty, mommy?? Scarlet inquired, distracting Lara from Jaden.

?The prettiest.?

?And I??

?You're the most handsome, Jaden.?

?More than Nate??

She smiled, dragging her kids in a hug.

?More than him. But let's keep it a secret, for now.?

?Sure,? Jaden agreed.

He didn't need to advertise that his mommy liked him more. It was enough to know it: it let his heart rest.

?Am I also prettier than Nate?? Scarlet asked.

?Oh, for sure,? Lara agreed. Jaden and Scarlet were both pretty.

So pretty that she was worried about how she was going to educate them. They hadn't used their prettiness to get out of trouble too often, so she didn't fear the future. But, who could know? Children often were surprising, and hers more than others.

?Let's go,? she said, locking the door and walking down the stairs.

She was happy, for some reason. It was hard to understand why, but the thought that her kids had their backs covered was more than relaxing. She was so relieved to know that, even if she lost everything and couldn't provide for them, there was someone else in the world who could take care of them.

She didn't need to worry so much anymore.

At the same time, in the LY Corp, Nate was pondering about how to introduce his identity to Lara. He had to tell her about his work position, but that wasn't much of a hassle.

He had to tell her about being an Alpha, and about them being mates. Yet, how to proceed? What was more urgent?

Also, Lara was clueless about wolves. She did know something through the pups, but their social organisation was a total mystery. Things like what it meant to have a pack were difficult to explain to stray wolves, let alone humans.

?Do you think she'll hate me if she finds out it's my fault if we slept together six years ago?? he asked Roxy.

He had asked her to follow him for that day. He needed help to understand how human women thought. And Roxy at least was a woman.

?Does she hate you now, Alpha??

?We're at work,? Nate reminded her.

?Oh, right... CEO. It's unnatural when only wolves are in the room, CEO Woods.?

?I know, but I don't want slips of the tongue in front of outsiders.?

?What about Lara Clayton? Is she an outsider??

?She is,? he sighed. ?For now.?

?She's the mother of your children. Even if she doesn't want to be your mate yet, we can make her adapt to the place of Alpha female. When she doesn't need to worry about other trivial things, she will allow herself to fall in love and mate.?

?That... Why does it sound so easy and reasonable when you say it??

Bass did say something similar, but it sounded like an evil plan to trick Lara into becoming his wife. Even Nate's own plans sounded evil, for some reason.

Yet, when Roxy was the one talking, it seemed like a reasonable course of action.

?There's a reason if I'm fulfilling your mate's duties right now. She will be a good Alpha female, by the way. She cares about her children: I'm sure she'll learn how to care for every one of us.?

?I have no doubts about that. Rather, what should I do first??

?First, spend some time with the pups. They're your kids, after all. I bet you'll get to love them soon. Everything else will lose relevance once you get attached to your children. I mean, look at Bass. He's a doting father, and he's always so happy.?

?Do you think I should be a doting father? But I prefer being strict, Roxy. It's not easy to be the Alpha's pups. They better learn how to live in a pack soon...?

?Just do what you feel is easier. In the end, I'm sure Lara Clayton will solve any problem you create in the meantime.?

?She raised them all alone. I can't find a place to fit in, in the family. They're happy together, and they defend each other with all they've got.?

?That's why you shouldn't look for a place for you. They're not exactly a pack. Try building a personal relationship with each one of them. You need to see them as people, before as the Clayton family.?

?You always have great advice, Roxy.?

?It's my job, Alpha Nate.?

?Shall I start with Lara, though??

?Oh, no! Forget she's your mate for a few days. She's human, and she's most likely scared about the situation. Talk to her as the mother of your children.?

?Then, I can ask her to make another few...?

?Not so fast,? Roxy said, hiding a giggle. ?Just convincing her to live under one roof should be enough for now. Without romantic feelings attached. Unless all you want is a passionate, feeble relationship. If you want her to stay for life, become essential.?

She crooked her mouth. All she said was rather obvious.

?Also,? she added.. ?Become an essential person to all three of them separately.?