CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Samantha replied to the message after a while. She had thought of a good answer, but she couldn't come up with one.

In the end, she sent something plain and completely out of her character.

- You must be keeping your eyes shut all the time, then.

A smirk crossed her face as she imagined him reading her words and chuckling, taking it as a challenge. He would use them against her the next time they met, and it would sound so right, whatever his deep, rude voice would say.

- I wish I could.

The reply arrived earlier than she thought, and she sat at her desk, racking her brains. She was expecting him to snob her, to forget to answer or at least make her wait just like she took her damned time to write back to him.

But he only took a few seconds. He didn't even think too hard about what to write.

- Shall I send you a picture so that you don't forget?

- I will never forget, Miss Trouble.

She chuckled, her eyes running on the words over and over again. She was a little upset that he refused her offer, but it was better that way.

She wasn't planning to send a nude either way - who in their right mind would do that with a stranger? - but his rejection hurt her pride a little.

Even if his words were nice. It was surprising he found such a polite way to reject her.

In the end, he was just playing hard to get, and she was going to do the same in a few messages. A last flirting sentence wouldn't cost her much.

- Next time you'll depart first so that I can check how your ass looks on your pretty bike.

- I can send picture.

No shame could stop that man.

She sighed while one of the agents was going to knock on the open door. She hadn't closed it, as she rarely needed peace and quiet to work.

He observed her with a frown, realising something was going on, and he turned on his heels. Better not disturb a quiet beast.

«Hey, Jordan, have you delivered the new contracts?» one of his colleagues asked.

«No, and I'm not doing it until after the lunch break. Contracts can wait, believe me. Whatever is going on with that woman now can't.»

«What is going on?»

«She's staring at her phone and blushing.»

«Oh, right... She found a mate. Seems like they're moving fast if she's already head over heels.»

«A mate?» Jordan murmured. «Everyone is finding mates these days. Only we poor corporate slaves don't have time for that,» Jordan commented.

«What are you talking about?»

«You don't know it? Where do you live? Alpha Nate has a woman, and she's also human.»

«A human?» the other chuckled. But then, he re-winded Jordan's words for a moment. «A mate?» he exclaimed, his eyes almost falling out in surprise.

«Life is so unfair, isn't it? Those two are happy and in a relationship, while we can't even approach the secretarial department without the risk of being punished.»

«You can meet girls after work, Jordan. Now, don't complain and continue with your work. The earlier you finish, the more time you can spend wooing girls.»

Meanwhile, Samantha continued the conversation without a clue in the world. She was so distracted that everyone could notice she was thinking about something else.

Rider's following message was what she expected.

- Oh, you'll see for yourself this Friday. You'll have a chance to watch for the whole weekend if you behave.

- I can't, Mister Rider. I'm busy this weekend. Maybe another time.

She would skip that week, and then there would be the Bright Moon. Once the full moon was over, she could think about it calmly and find a way not to be swayed away and eaten alive, mind and heart included.

- You're busy or avoiding me?

- Definitely busy. But we can meet at a later date.

- Do you have another man?

- You care?

Soon after her message, Rider called.

Samantha observed the call with a dumbfounded expression. How dare he call while she was working? She couldn't just reply and keep calm, tell him he had no right to meddle into her affairs...

Oh, she would just end up admitting there was no man in her life. No other man, except for him. He was the only one attracting her as much as to ride a bike for an hour just to roll on a creaking bed in an anonymous motel somewhere on the road.

When the phone stopped ringing, she read his text message.

- Answer the call. It will be better for you and your pretty ass.

She sighed. Why was he so worked up all of a sudden?

Wasn't she clear about their relationship?

«Yes?» she said, rolling her eyes. It was not his threat that made her answer, in the end. If she followed that naughty instinct of hers, she would have ignored him until he came looking for her just to fulfil his threat.

But she was rational, and she had learned when to control her unruly instincts.

Not because the mighty Alpha Nate minded it, but because life in a pack required that kind of skill. She didn't want the others to notice her nature, so she had to keep it in and talk back or burst out in rage only when the situation couldn't be solved in any other way.

She didn't like staying put, following rules... But she knew it was necessary.

«Do you have an appointment with another man?» Rider asked, talking slowly to let her feel the mood in every single letter.

He was a little angry, clearly jealous. And also possessive. What made him think he could command her like that? Which part of her conditions allowed him to behave as if she was his?

No wolf could own her, and she would keep her freedom no matter what. Rider was no exception.

It was fine if he wanted sex. It was fine if he had conditions on his own, even if he asked her for a real relationship. But she would never give up on her freedom for anyone.. Anyone.