CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 385: An Alpha failure

Lara had just finished tidying the twins' room, and she decided to read a book to spend some time. Scarlet was calm, luckily, and Jaden seemed lost in his thoughts. After his walk with Nate, he was happy but silent.

On the other hand, Nate was doing some work on the couch. He would glance at the kids from time to time and, seeing they were calm, return to his tasks without worries.

They were functioning well without interfering with each other. Maybe, that was how they survived the days they spent together, Lara thought. The kids couldn't be energetic every second, after all.

«Weren't there some magazines on the table?» she inquired, seeing the empty wood.

The books were too far, but she had realised it only after sitting down. Then, she had felt too tired to get up and opted for a lighter read. But luck wasn't on her side.

«There usually are some here, but... Maybe, the girls forgot to bring some. It's the day after a Bright Moon, after all. Have some patience,» Nate replied.

Lara rolled her eyes. She didn't complain. Just, she found it strange. There had always been some magazines on the table, and someone would change them often enough. However, no one had ever wanted to read one until the day there weren't any.

Lara felt a little spoiled, but she still found it strange. Why that day, of all days? If it was the Bright Moon, then wouldn't it make sense to keep the old magazines on the table rather than throwing those away without replacing them?

The answer to her doubts came soon.

Someone knocked on their door, and Lara got up to open it. Nate was busy reading something on his computer.

«Hello,» she said when she saw the girl.

She was holding newspapers and tabloids, and she was startled when she saw Lara.

«There's something...» the girl said, reluctantly offering one of the magazines to Lara. «We have been careful to find any trace of your name, Alpha Lara, but this came out of the blue.»

«This, what?»

«Page three.»

«I see,» Lara chuckled, turning the page to check what it was.

As expected, it was huge.

«I hoped to see news about Samantha. I'm curious to know how her mate is. Yet, here we are... My mother wouldn't have let go of such a chance.»

Her calm made the other girl relax, and Lara's smile didn't falter until they were alone again. Only then did Nate notice something was wrong. He left the computer on the table and reached Lara at the door.

«What's happening?» he inquired.

«Just the usual. My mother is taking the chance to stay in the limelight. She gave an exclusive interview for this magazine.»

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She showed Nate the page, and he read the title with a frown.

«Lara Clayton, a young miss from Sheton. Her parents talk for the first time.»

What had that woman said? And how did the reporters find out about the relationship between Lara and the Claytons? It wasn't such a rare surname, after all.

«I'm not even surprised,» Lara commented.

Her fingers trembled, but she didn't let go of the magazine. Maybe, it was because her cubs could see and hear her, but she managed to keep her cool. She didn't panic or cry.

She wasn't okay, but not as bad as she thought such a situation would make her feel.

«Let me take a look,» Nate said.

He skimmed through the interview carefully, but he didn't read anything bad. They talked about their company and gave some information about Lara's early childhood. Nothing secret, and nothing too scandalous. There weren't any hints to what they could tell about their daughter. They simply looked like proud parents.

There was even a picture of the couple: Steve sitting on the armchair and Gracy leaning on the armrest next to him. There weren't Steven Clayton's words anywhere. Only Gracelyn answered to the questions the whole time.

«The press found out who you are,» Nate hummed. «It's bad, but I will protect you. They won't be able to publish anything bad about you because it would mean standing on my wrong side. Also, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Do you hear me?»

«Yes, I know,» Lara said, but her tone wasn't all that convincing.

«We'll survive this too. Just like we survived Polenta... even after so many mistakes on my side,» he added. «It's just another trial. We'll make it.»

Lara nodded and caressed his cheek. She liked it when he tried heartening her. Especially when the situation could only get worse.

That reporter had found her family. It would have been a child's play to discover about her kids. Then, nothing could protect her from the scandal of giving birth without a husband. Saying those were Nate's kids didn't look enough to calm the waters.

«If only this had happened before, we would have noticed sooner,» Nate continued. Wasn't it for the war, he wouldn't have been so distracted.

«At least it's over. Now, we can return to our normal life,» Lara said.

«Soon,» Nate promised. «The exact moment I make sure Polenta is taken care of, we'll be able to return home.»

He just needed to find him, after all. However, it was becoming harder than anticipated. He had no clue where to look, and all his ideas didn't help.

«If only I could have a glimpse of where he's hiding...» he complained. «We could proceed further with the plan. Everything is ready. We just need the location.»

«Oh, don't worry. It's going to be fine, eventually,» Lara said, trying to comfort Nate. «Nothing we can't face.»

«I wish I found him sooner, Lara. I wish I hadn't underestimated him. Twice, at that. I'm a failure as an Alpha... I let my family be hurt.»

«You didn't,» Lara pointed out. «You protected us. In both cases. Now, let's get some rest. You've worked enough for today, haven't you? Let's eat pancakes.

I need a few minutes to bake some.»