CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 393: A challenge

Samantha read the message on her phone. Nate was asking to meet to decide on a peace treaty. Why ask her, though?

Oh, maybe Renato had the authority to decide for the whole pack. For the moment, he could make the big decisions until the pack assumed a better shape. Then, a new Alpha would have risen, and they would decide how to live further.

It would have been the time to leave for her. She couldn't imagine a young Alpha able to deal with her. And she wasn't ready to suppress her nature again. In Nate's pack, it had been easy, almost natural. But in a new one, with people she had considered her enemies until a few days before... She couldn't do it.

«Hey?» Renato said, noticing her expression.

«Nate asked to meet. He wants to make peace.»

«You mean to define the details. We already are at peace. Since you're here and all...»

She nodded.

«I'll come with you,» he added.

«Of course,» Samantha chuckled. «It's not like I can give my word for your pack.»

«My?» he said, dumbfounded. She still didn't feel like one of them? After three whole days living with them?

Oh, but... No surprise. No one had told her she was their new Alpha. And she wouldn't realise it on her own. Samantha Murphy was deaf to that kind of event.

«Let's go eat,» he said. «It's getting late.»

They were making a habit. They would eat in the central bar once a day at least, and the others seemed to like seeing them more often. Then, they would take a stroll in the quarters - hand in hand - and check whether everyone was okay. It was more out of boredom than worry. What could go wrong all of a sudden?

Also, if they needed them, the other wolves knew where to find them.

«Aren't you hungry?» Renato asked with a weird... worried tone.

«I am, yes,» Samantha sighed. Why would he be so insistent on everything? She had agreed to go eat... Why over-worrying? She wouldn't faint of hunger during the few steps to reach the bar.

Sometimes, it was annoying. But after such a terrible period, she couldn't tell Renato to stay further. She liked him close as well.

She could bear it a little longer. Then, with time, he would have become tired of inquiring about every little thing.

«Let's go,» she said with a smile.

She pulled him out, and they walked in the streets. It took them a couple of minutes to reach the bar and sit at their usual table. Amanda and Lucretia were already there.

«Why aren't you two eating at home?» Renato asked while moving the chair for Samantha. «What's going on.»

«We wanted to make sure you two were doing well. Mama sent me to inquire about your health and mood. She also said you two should visit us. It's been a long time, and she's curious to finally meet your mate.»

«She already met my mate,» he pointed out. «But... We can come, I guess. What do you think, Samantha?»

«Yes, sure. Your family seems nice. We can have tea together this afternoon.»

«Awesome!» Amanda said. «I'll tell mama. She'll be happy about it.»

Who wasn't all that happy was Renato. He hadn't gotten used to being with his mate yet, that he already had to share her with a whole pack. Moreover, his mother would inquire about everything. And there was a little chance they let slip out Samantha's new position, just like that.

She wasn't ready to hear about it yet. She first needed to be so deep into it that she couldn't escape later!

«What are you thinking about?» he heard.

He turned to his mate and held her hand, squeezing her fingers.

«Nothing,» he said, using the pro technique he had learned to divert her attention: physical contact.

They hadn't even ordered when someone walked to their table. With no harmless intentions, for once. Renato had gotten used to how his pack seemed to want to protect Samantha, too, so he didn't expect it.

«I challenge you!» the guy said.

He was young and fairly strong. He had been working hard to become a guard, and he was on the right path. Yet, that morning, he didn't get up with a brain.

«Hmm?» Samantha hummed, surprised.

Renato got up and stood between that fly and his woman. How dare he look her in the eye as long as to actually challenge her lead? Even though Samantha didn't know she was leading them.

«What did you say?» he said, looking at him with a threatening gaze.

«I'm not talking with you, Renato.»

«Am I as weak as to be ignorable?» he asked, rolling up his sleeves. It was time to move his body a bit. It would be the first fight since he recovered.

«You're not weak, but I'm not interested in you. Move aside.»

«Who are you to order me around? I don't even remember your name, youngling...»

«Hey... Don't go overboard. You know my name!»

Samantha clenched Renato's shoulder while stepping in front of him. She walked around him and gazed at the men.

«Move aside,» she said. She turned to the door and walked out, accepting the challenge like nothing. She didn't seem worried one bit.

The one sweating in panic was Renato. Why was she putting herself at risk? There was no reason to accept any challenge, especially if she couldn't understand the reasons.

«I'm waiting,» they heard.

The young man seemed startled. He thought twice about crossing that door, but it was too late to change his mind. How could that woman just accept?

Wasn't she... Oh, never mind.

He walked behind her, realising that he had done something very stupid. If only he hadn't listened to his friends. He turned back and saw them sniggering.

He was a dead man, and all they did was laugh.

«Show me what you've got,» Samantha said without even turning. She didn't need to see him to know that he wasn't close enough to hurt her.