CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

«Hey, pretty lady,» said Renato's friend.

Samantha rolled her eyes. They had first said she shouldn't have been there, but then they tried hitting on her.

«Mind your words, Ale,» Renato murmured in a low tone, his voice almost a growl.

«Hey, don't be angry, bro,» he added. «Isn't she pretty? I don't have ill intentions, I swear! Unless the lady is interested, o

He winked again, not concerned by Samantha's gaze. She was looking at him like an idiot, subconsciously squeezing Renato's hand.

She had always been pretty; what was that all of a sudden? No one had approached her so bluntly before... Not even during her best days. And she was sure that she wasn't looking so good after a whole night of worries and tending to a dying man.

«Let's go,» she said, her attention back on Renato. He should have rested a little more instead of standing and talking back to the others in his pack.

«Yes,» he sighed, opening the door and leaving the two wolves outside, dumbfounded and surprised.

So, it was true: Renato was serious with that woman! Why else bring her into the forbidden lodgings?

Even though the pack was in a difficult situation, they were sure he wouldn't bring a girl there just to play. There was something tremendously serious going on between them!

«Oh, wait,» Ale said, remembering the reason why he had come there to look for Renato. «I have something to report!»

«Report?» Renato replied through the door. He reopened it, staring at him. «To me?»

«Who else?»

«You still feel the need to report something? That's weird... There is no pack. I am no one now. And I was an Omega up to two days ago. Why in the world are you reporting to me?»

«You're the boss,» he said. «You take care of our secu

«I see,» Renato sighed.

«I just wanted to tell you that some brats are going around, yelling how they'll kill you, take control of the residence, and lead the pack back to greatness. No one gives them credit, but they might be dangerous now that you're weak. Take care.»

«Ah, yes... I know that already. Armando came to the residence claiming to be the next Alpha. And he was beaten to a pulp. He's lucky to be alive, and I highly doubt he'll try again. Not for the next few hours, at least.»

«Beaten? You managed to set him back at his place while being so weak?»

«Oh, it's complicated,» Renato said, unwilling to expose Samantha.

She had been the one doing all the hard work, but he didn't want anyone to know yet. He was weak, and she was an outsider. He was sure she had felt like Armando was dangerous for him and for Amanda, but how to explain it to the other wolves in the pack?

«Some other wolves are unresting, but they might calm down before doing something stupid...»

«It's not like they can become the Alpha if they kill me. I'm totally unrelated to that... I'm just in charge of security, after all.»

«Yes, but... Since you recovered, I can feel the pack again.»

«How odd,» Renato snickered. «I can't.»

«I don't know... Maybe it's because you were heavily wounded. But we're connected again.»

«I don't feel anything, really.»

«We do,» Ale repeated. «It's as if the pack was back, more or less.»

«Do you think our Alpha is nearby?»

«No! That's the point! He's not here, but we're still a pack... Are we becoming like one of those with a weak Alpha? Or is it just an illusion before the end? I'm so worried but relieved at the same time.

Even your sister isn't an Omega anymore! Can you believe it?»

«It's impossible,» he pointed out. «The Alpha has to lift the punishment while she's there. She couldn't meet him yet.»

«I don't know, bro. Just one thing is sure: the pack isn't as weak as to disband. If this continues, we will survive.»

«I'm not sure we deserve it, though.»

«Oh, don't be such a jerk... I'll leave you alone, now. You're with your woman now... Is she the one? I mean, the one marking you?»

«Yes, she is.»

«Oh, she must have a spicy character if she dared to mark you!»

«Hey!» he complained. What in the world made them think they could comment on his woman?

«I get it, I get it! She's yours, okay. But you can't hide that she's gorgeous and that she dared sign you as hers. That's more than any other woman would dare.»

«She's my mate,» Renato revealed. «Whatever she does, to me, it is fine.»

«You're even weaker than we thought,» Sergio said, laughing.

«So what? I'll leave with her as soon as the situation settles. There's no place for me here, either way.»

«Hey, bro... No... That's too harsh. How can we survive without you?»

«You'll do just fine.»

«But... Why don't you stay with your mate? There's space for the both of you. We won't tell anyone... We can change the rules, so she can stay here as much as she wants!»

Renato furrowed his brows. It sounded weird... But he liked that idea.

Staying home, with Samantha by his side... But only if she agreed.

«I don't think it will happen,» he said. «But it wouldn'

«You're so smitten! Why don't you just tell her to stay here? If she's your mate, she will listen!»

«Why don't you tell her?» he chuckled.

His little devil wasn't one who he could just order around. Actually, he could, but not on a relevant matter and not out of bed or without enough food to convince her.

«I'm a little tired... I need to rest now. We can talk later, okay?» he said.

Staying there, in a pack on the verge of disappearing. It might have been the right idea, actually.

«Yes, sure. You need to recover completely before making your decision. We'll be here for you, by the way. If you need anything, just ask,» Ale said.