CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Samantha would never give up on her freedom for anyone. Not even for her fated mate.

She knew it could happen: one day, she could find a person worthy of forming a family with, but that didn't include her own spaces.

Rider had no right to inquire about her time and appointments. She wouldn't have accepted an interrogatory even if they were together.

Her primal need was to have enough space and time for herself, to make her choices and decide on her own destiny.

A possessive male was the last thing she wanted.

«What if I do, ah?» she said. «What if I have a date? Would you order me not to go, Mister Rider? Have I lost my freedom to you by giving you my body, now? Who do you think you are?»

The silence on the other side left her without words as well. He didn't talk back, shutting her raging flow and ordering her to behave. He didn't apologise either.

After several seconds, enough for Samantha to wonder whether the line had fallen, he talked.

«Don't go,» he pleaded. «I can do whatever that man does for you, Mine. And I can do it better.»

«Actually, you can't,» she pointed out. Her date was two cute pups, and Rider couldn't be cute no matter how much he tried.

«Please...» he breathed on the phone.

Samantha was taken back, not expecting such a reaction.

«Why?» she inquired. «What in the world is going on with you?»

«Nothing,» he said. «I think I'm normal right now.»

«But you're saying weird words and requesting weird things.»

«How would you feel if I met with another woman, then? Wouldn't you forbid me as well?»

«I am in no position to do that, Rider. I would be unhappy, of course, but we are not together.»

«You're right.»

«Then? Are you going to look for a date for yourself?»

«I might as well,» he said. «Since you'll do that.»

«I'm not saying this as an excuse, and don't take it like anything more than... I'm not soothing your worries, okay?»

«You're not.»

«I don't have a date with another man, Rider. I'm just busy with family matters. But that doesn't mean you have the right to inquire any further in the future, is that clear? I don't want a relationship.»

«I know. But I don't like the thought of sharing the woman I'm meeting. While you're with me, you shouldn't sleep with other people.»

«You want to be exclusive? That's pretty much a relationship.»

«It's not. When you get tired of it or find a man you want more than you want me, just break up with me and be free to date. I am not a promiscuous person, and I don't have many partners at once.»

«I am not promiscuous either, and I don't think I'll like anyone enough anymore. After meeting you, my life is either with you or alone.»

«And you choose alone? For real? What have I done so wrong that you hate the thought of being with me?»

«Nothing, Rider. It's not because of you. It's about me and the whole situation. I'm a mess, and you don't want to be dragged into trouble just for this, trust me.»

«But I already am in trouble, aren't I?»

«Why?»

He didn't reply, so she sighed against the phone and noticed the open door. She walked to close it, hoping her conversation wasn't public domain already.

It was clear she was having an affair; it was impossible to hide. But she didn't want the whole company to know the details.

«I can't, this week, but we can meet next weekend.»

«What do you do for the full moon?»

«I stay with my family or alone in my room. It depends on... Well, you know what it depends on.»

«The ears? Oh, I'd die just to see that again. Are you sure you want to stay alone?»

«Maybe another time, okay? The next Bright Moon is a week from now: it's too soon to organise anything. And it would be too intimate to show you my wolf form.»

«You'd see me as well,» he reminded her.

His voice was calm as he regained his composure.

It was so tempting. She wanted to see him, to know more. But it would have been a mistake: they were enemies.

The Mayford's previous Alpha had caused the late Alpha's death, and Nate had fought against him to stabilise the pack in that dark period. If it was anyone else, Samantha could have found a way. But with someone from that pack, it was pointless.

Too much blood had been spilt for them to have a chance.

«You have one more week to list all the things you want to do,» she said, reaching a decision. She couldn't waver, she couldn't let him have an advantage. «Isn't that good? You can come up with something special in all this time... And I'll also think about it on my own. It'll be good, and we won't waste time thinking about what to do next...»

«Have we ever wasted time, Miss Trouble? I've always known what to do with you without the need to list things down. As for you... Oh, don't worry about it and let me guide you to...»

«As if! You really think too highly of yourself!»

«Nah, I know my limits.»

«And listening about my will isn't one of your limits? You'll just overlook my thoughts and continue with your own?»

«Oh, no. I would never overlook you. Just, thinking requires energy, and I can't think of you sweating hard, Miss Trouble. It's better if you just relax and let me do everything. Isn't it fun, anyway?»

«I could say the same.»

«You could. But you won't because you like it just as much as I do.»

«Does it mean you don't like it when I take the lead?» she asked, tuning her tone down to a whisper. It was better no one heard that last part.

«No, it doesn't. It's a matter of principles.»

«I have my principles just like you,» she pointed out.

«I know, I know... If you insist so much, forget about what I said and come with your list as well. Do your worst, for I'll be waiting to see your kinky side, Mine.»

«I don't have a kinky side.»

«But I do,» he replied, calm and composed. His voice was enough to send her heart running away.

Ah, to hell with rationality.. She would have done her worst.