CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Chapter 409: Tired

After the party, Lara and Nate brought the kids to their room. They were tired after playing with their friends and eating all the snacks they could find.

Like that, there was no resistance to slumber, and the two ended up snoring as soon as they lay down.

«Awesome,» Lara sighed, relieved. She was happy her kids were happy; and she was even more content that they fell asleep without any need for stories, cuddles, and endless talk. She also wanted to rest after that long day.

«Are you tired?» Nate asked.

When she nodded, he walked to her and picked her up, one arm behind her waist and the other under her knees.

«What are you doing?» Lara asked, whispering so as not to wake the twins. Better not to show them that scene!

«I'm carrying you back. You said you're tired,» Nate murmured.

He bent down to peck her forehead, and his nose was tickled by her bunny ears.

Did Lara know how yummy she looked with those on? Probably not, but he didn't care. He could stare as much as he wanted now that they were alone.

He had forgotten about his panther ears till that moment. Focusing on Lara, never moving his eye away from her - except for a brief moment when he had observed Jaden and Stella - he had made sure that no one else could stay too close to her. He didn't even mind the curious stares from the other wolves.

Where had there ever been an Alpha who accepted to wear a costume? He must have been the first. But he didn't mind it. Those who couldn't understand him had never known the power and happiness a mate could bring.

«Not as tired as not to walk,» Lara chuckled, but she clenched his shirt and placed her head on his shoulder. Being pampered like that was nice, after all. She would have never imagined she would meet someone as worried for her as to carry her.

«Spare your energies,» Nate replied. He had no intention of letting her go now that he had gotten his hands on her. Even less than Lara wanted to walk!

«What for, Alpha Nate?» she mused, caressing his neck with her fingertips.

She observed his expression as he tried to keep his breathing stable.

«What do I need my energy for?» she continued, whispering closer to his ear.

Nate's heart skipped a beat. Then another one.

A bunny girl jumping around him was one thing. Lara's delicate and innocent appearance was enhanced by those damned ears.

But having that same creature whisper tempting sweet words to his ears was a whole nother matter. How was he supposed to hold back and resist?

She was at fault! He just wanted to carry her to the bed and let her rest. But she was so... Oh, he didn't even know.

He had the most harmless intentions of all times, yet she turned the situation around with a few words and her wicked tone. Was he supposed to resist any further? To reject her, even if it hurt?

How could he?

«Lara...» he moaned, warning her about the train of his thoughts.

One thing was sure: she didn't fear him. What frightened bunny could be so bold? How could she hold him so tightly and smile so naughtily?

No, she felt safe enough next to him. That thought made him sigh in relief as much as it made him wonder again about the source of Lara's fears. She must have feared something, after all. If not him and his nature, then what?

«I don't think it's wise,» he said, but his reason died for good when she pressed her lips on his neck.

Not just a delicate and yummy bunny. She was naughty and playful. He could feel her lips smiling against his skin.

What was he worried about? He couldn't remember.

They finally reached the bed, and he let her slip on the mattress. Lara looked up while bouncing in place, and Nate threw away those black ears.

He smirked when she pouted, unhappy. He had something better than fake animal ears... He released his own, and Lara smiled back like a glutton in front of ice cream. She swallowed when he leaned a knee on the mattress and pretended to be scared when he stepped closer to her. She did resemble a shivering rabbit cornered by a cruel predator, but Nate could smell her excitement behind her facade.

Her big, brown eyes were fixed on him. Her hands were clenching the sheets. That show was just so perfect, and it caused his ancient instincts to wake up.

He didn't know he liked hunting his prey, forcing her in a corner until her surrender... It was so far from his usual nature that he had thought he was just a boring office man, deep down in his heart. It took him a shivering mate to wake up that part of his nature.

«No,» he said when Lara tried getting rid of her bunny ears.

He had no space for any more words in his brain, invaded by the feelings, the desire, and the pressing need to have her all for himself. Thankfully, Lara didn't need words. A discreet but wily grin on her lips told him how she liked making him lose his mind. He couldn't read her thoughts, but she was transparent at that very moment: she felt powerful even while lying down and following his desires.

If Nate had more than a single neuron still working, he would have stopped and asked her if she was all right. But, thankfully for Lara, he was long gone. All he could see, scent, and hear was her.

And she could feel on her skin his wish for dominance and control. She was getting used to those odd moments when she would understand the wolves around her enough to guess their needs. Almost feeling their emotions with her own heart.

Not that it was such a mystery what Nate wanted at that moment.

«Please... Be gentle, Alpha!» she exclaimed, using all her self-control not to giggle.