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Chapter 381: Guilty as charged
Chapter 381: Guilty as charged
In the base, Lara seemed back to normal. Nate had observed her in silence, looking for any trace of panic. However, she seemed fine.
Scarlet was sleepy and hungry, just like usual.
Only Jaden seemed to be thinking about the events of that night. It was a sign Nate didn't disregard.
After the first joys of being a father were revealed to him, he had started to understand how hard a job it was. He had to keep his eyes wide open all the time. Literally, all the time.
And, what was worse, physical dangers weren't the most threatening. His kids weren't delicate, and they could survive just fine falling on the ground while playing. Yet, what made him worry the most were their souls. He wanted to protect them from worries, frights, and shocks. He yearned to protect them from anything!
Scarlet was a born Alpha, like Samantha. She had a domineering character and strong powers. She was going to be troublesome as a teen, and he had to work hard to teach her to keep her will to prevail in check.
Yet, Jaden wasn't easier at all. His soul was delicate and sweet. He didn't expect that the same kid who had icily told him to forget about his mommy would hug him warmly a few weeks later. Jaden would take events to a deeper level, asking himself why and how. Or asking Nate when he was in the mood.
It was still early to read through him, but Nate was starting to understand when not to underestimate Jaden's doubts and worries.
«Come with me,» Nate said, offering a hand to Jaden.
«Where to?»
«We'll take a stroll in the base.»
«Why?»
«If you don't want to, we can stay here,» he sighed.
«No!»
«No?»
«No, let's go,» Jaden accepted. His rosy cheeks made Nate chuckle.
They held hands and walked out of the room where Lara was combing Scarlet's hair into two tails.
Even though Scarlet knew how to look cute, hers were all ploys to get what she wanted. When Jaden acted cutely, it was natural.
The two men walked in silence until reaching far enough not to be heard by the girls.
«How are you feeling?» Nate asked.
Jaden looked up, his eyes wide open. He tried hiding the happiness from Nate, but the man could read through him. What had he said so much?
He was just concerned about his son. Was that it? But... No, Jaden wouldn't blush and giggle just because Nate was worried. He had been worried before too, and it didn't get any reaction back.
It was something else.
«I'm okay,» Jaden said. «And how do you feel?»
Nate blinked, surprised. A question? And it did sound funny for some reason. Jaden had used a weird tone, maybe trying to reproduce Nate's. Was he trying to sound like an adult?
Oh, might be.
Was Jaden happy when Nate treated him like a grown-up, asking questions and listening to the reply?
«Not well,» Nate sighed. «I feel guilty.»
He could try revealing his thoughts. In fact, Jaden did smile. He raised his arms, asking to be picked up. It was something Scarlet would so often do, but Jaden had always been reserved.
«Why guilty?»
«I brought you and your mommy to a place where you were in danger.»
«Oh, that... It was not your fault, dad.»
«No?»
«Also, you saved my mommy!»
«I see...»
«It was Scarlet who got out and put mommy in danger.»
«Scarlet didn't know either that there was danger, Jaden. She didn't do it on purpose.»
«Oh...»
The little boy lowered his eyes, considering Nate's words.
«I see,» he said, mimicking Lara's tone.
Nate bit his inner cheek not to laugh out loud. It was the wrong moment, but his son was so cute while trying to act all grown-up.
«I understand, dad! But she should be more careful!»
«Weren't you also too excited yesterday? It was a Bright Moon, and you were also sleeping, at the time. I'm surprised you remember.»
«Why shouldn't I remember? My mommy told me to stay put, so I did. I always listen to my mommy!»
«Ah?» Nate murmured. «You don't lose control, do you? And how about last month? You pla
«With aunty Sam! Where is aunty Sam? I thought she would come too, but she didn't. Was she afraid of the bad wolf?»
«No, your aunt is busy. She's building her own family now.»
«Is she abandoning us?»
«Abandoning? No, she's not. But she has the right to be happy like we are. She saw that your mommy is happy with her kids, and she wants her own.»
«Oh... But she shouldn't trust that tall man!»
«What tall man? How do you know he's tall?»
«She told me.»
«Oh,» Nate moaned. His cousin had told a pup but not him...
«She shouldn't trust tall men! Look at Scarlet and me! We're now stuck with you and can't protect our mommy. And now, we have to share aunty Sam too!»
«Hmm...»
«Oof, I can't believe aunty Sam fell into such a trap. She could have her pups and run away just like my mommy did.»
«Jaden,» Nate called him. «Are you so unhappy I'm here with you?»
«Uh? No, not anymore. But you always take my mommy away. And also Scarlet.»
«Now, I am with you.»
Jaden calmed down and hugged Nate, trying to understand his point.
«Don't you want me to spend time with you?» Nate asked.
«No.»
«No means?»
«I want to spend time with you, dad.»
«Is it worse than it used to be?»
«No, it's better.»
«Then, why are you so unhappy?»
«I am not unhappy. Having a father isn't that bad. And my mommy is happy and can rest well. My mommy isn't tired like before because you are here. It's better for her if you stay.»
«I see. You're a good boy, Jaden.»
And he had so much awareness that it was frightening. Not only could he see how his mommy was happier, but he also could keep his instinct under control - except for the ears appearing out of the blue.
He might not have been a born Alpha, but he wasn't simple either. Self-control was of primal importance for a modern-day wolf.