While the sun reached its peak and midday hit with the hottest air, Lara and her cubs hid under the umbrella.

Jaden nestled on her deckchair, his head on her bosom and his eyes closed. He was taking a nap after getting tired in the water.

On Nate's chair, protected from the sun by the umbrella, Scarlet was looking at the other two and sulking because there wasn't any space for her. Who could ever design such a small chair?

She had had her turn of sleeping in her mommy's arms, so she couldn't even complain about the world being unfair.

Nate had gone looking for some food, and he was already back after a few minutes with a lunch box filled with sandwiches and other delicacies. No rare meat because it couldn't be eaten well on the beach.

That day was turning even worse for Scarlet. But, at least, her mommy seemed happy.

?What is it that makes you frown like that?? Nate asked while sitting down next to the girl.

He followed her gaze and couldn't help but agree. Jaden's head was on Lara's chest, and the woman had wrapped him in her arm. She was reading a book and enjoying the breeze, while Scarlet and Nate were sitting a few feet from her, ignored and unhappy.

What had Jaden done to deserve such an honour?

Both of them were wearing the same expression, so much that Lara burst out laughing when she turned her head to them.

?What's the problem?? she inquired while Jaden rubbed his eyes, woken by her laughter. ?Are you two so hungry??

Her words made their grimaces even sadder, and their lips curled down in despair.

?Let's eat, then,? she said, noticing how Jaden had sat up and was staring around, trying to make sense of his surroundings.

Seeing how her mother didn't see anything wrong with devoting her attention to a single pup, Scarlet bit her lips and her eyes filled with tears.

She touched Nate's arm, attracting his attention.

?Mommy doesn't want to love me as well,? she whined.

Nate agreed in his heart, asking the universe what had he done to deserve not being loved. But then, Scarlet continued with her wicked plan, and he found her head on his shoulder and her short arms trying to hug his neck.

?I don't want to be the only one alone,? Scarlet added, snuggling in his arms too smoothly for it to be her first attempt to infiltrate someone's hug.

Nate sighed, rubbing her back while coming to terms with the fact that his children were ages ahead of him. They were pros at getting attention, so he'd better found a way to compete soon... Before Lara's eyes moved away from him for good.

?You're not alone, Scarlet,? he said. ?It's just a moment. Your mother can't carry two pups at once, right? She's delicate, and you have to take care of her... Also, you already slept in her arms, so do not dare complain any further.?

He was the one getting nothing for the whole day. Not even a glance. Just a bright smile that morning when he brought her food.

He hoped to get another one for lunch, but she didn't smile yet.

The sun was high in the sky, and the shadow was barely enough for Lara to be safe. Nate had made Scarlet sit on his deckchair, closer to Lara and protected by the sun.

As a result, part of his back and shoulders were under the aggressive midday rays. Still, it wasn't that bad of a feeling. It was warm and comforting, and he was an adult.

He needed to protect the pups from sunburns: that was the priority.

?Before eating, you two need to put on sunscreen,? he said. His mother had instructed him to apply it often on the pups, not just at the beginning of the day.

It meant he could take the chance to touch Lara once again if he was smooth. He grinned at her, and she replied behind her sunglasses.

Her lips curled up by reflex as they started applying sunscreen, each to the closest pup.

?Do you want some cream as well?? Lara inquired. ?At least on your shoulders... Those are the first parts to get burnt.?

?I'm not as delicate,? he replied.

What was he? A little pup? He wanted to take care of Lara, and not the opposite. He was a mighty Alpha, for goodness...

?Are you sure?? Lara replied, taking off the sunglasses to look at him. Her eyes were filled with worry, and Nate's heart settled in that brief feeling of being in someone's mind. ?The sun is powerful today.?historical

?Come on, do I look easy to hurt?? he chuckled.

His mood had improved, seeing how she wasn't understating him. Just worrying. It meant she cared, right?

?It's not what I mean,? she sighed, rolling her eyes. His stubbornness was making her annoyed. But it was his back, in the end.

And he was an adult. He knew how much his skin could stay under the sun without trouble.

She had been a little nosy by insisting, but he reminded her of the cubs... for some reason. They would stubbornly insist on their beliefs sometimes.

?What are we eating for lunch?? she asked. ?Oh, come closer, so you're in the shadows...?

?I'm fine, Lara. I like the sun like this.?

So stubborn, she sighed.

?We have sandwiches of different kinds,? he explained, opening the lunch box. ?And vegetables. The restaurant added a few types of salad... People usually have light lunches on the beach.?

?That's good,? she replied. Her stomach wouldn't have survived another meal like the one her pups liked.

?Is there meat?? Scarlet inquired, returning to hang on Nate's shoulder.

?Yes, of course. Ham, tuna... Many kinds of meat.?

?What is tuna??

?This,? he replied, offering her a triangular sandwich with tuna and mayonnaise.

The pup observed it for a while before giving it a try.. Nate had one nice feature, after all: even if he wanted her mommy, he always had plenty of food hidden somewhere.