CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Melanie didn't notice anything amiss with Luther. She had been distracted by the flowers first, then by dinner.

When she sat in the living room, the three were talking about rabbits and monkeys. It was a safe topic, wasn't it?

Unless one of the pups started talking about how rabbits were delicious. But they hadn't hunted anything in their life, so how could they know?

She relaxed in her armchair, observing her grandchildren and old friend. They were so focused on animals that they didn't even ask about dinner. It was funny, the effect Luther had on them.

She noticed the change in his perfume but didn't comment. How was she supposed to notice from such a distance? And, also, she feared he would take it as an incentive to court her.

She was loyal to her husband even after his death. Like any wolf, she had one mate.

She just hoped Luther would abandon that weird idea he had gotten while in prison. She was old and tired while he had lost enough years already. It would be better for him to look for another woman, one who could make him happy.

«My mommy looks like a rabbit,» Scarlet said, at some point. «Right, grandpa?»

«Hmm? Well, I don't know... Maybe.»

«She's pretty and needs protection. Jaden and I wanted to protect her from daddy, at first. But then daddy said he wanted to protect her too, and we came to an agreement.»

«An agreement?»

«Yes. We let him take mommy sometimes, and he promised to make mommy happy.»

«That's good,» Luther said, even though he wasn't sure it was good for real.

However, the situation seemed settled. At least, for the moment. The twins liked Nate and would hug him too, after greeting Lara.

«I will grow up tall and beat dad,» Jaden added. «So that I can protect mommy. Right now, he's stronger. But I will grow up.»

Luther nodded again, asking for help from Melanie. Their eyes met, and the woman just shrugged.

«Children's talk,» she said, even though he wasn't too convinced.

It was a little too odd to just talk. The kids had grown up with Lara, and she hadn't taught them to fight for supremacy. That was sure. Find exclusive stories on empire

Their will to protect her, as well as what resembled territoriality must have been inherited from Nate.

Luther's face distended while he pretended to believe Melanie. He remembered how Robert would act territorial as well. He would glare every time someone approached Melanie.

And he would be quite protective of the company just as much.

So, whatever the twins were, Robert had been the same.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He needed some more research to be sure, but he already was starting to form a theory. However, no matter how frightening that thought would be, he couldn't fear those two little things asking for his attention.

They were just kids... Or pups. Or whatever way they would call themselves.

«They're adorable,» he said. So well-behaved even though strange.

And they loved their family. They had accepted him, maybe sensing the blood link between them.

«I'm getting a little hungry,» he added.

The kids nodded after him, getting up but not stepping away. They would gravitate around him, which made him even happier.

«Dinner is ready,» Melanie said. «I was waiting for you to be done playing.»

«We're done, grandma,» Jaden said. He strolled to her and took her hand. Scarlet was still with Luther, but he felt wrong to leave their grandmother alone.

Melanie smiled at him, touched by his thought. The little boy was so attentive to the people around him. He would become a great Alpha as an adult.

«Let's go,» she said.

They moved to the table, and the twins sat at their place. They resisted the urge to push the chairs closer to Luther because they liked their grandma enough to be thoughtful.

They ate slowly, with the clear intention of making Luther say nice words. In fact, he did praise their manners quite often.

They would giggle and blush at every nice word.

What concerned Melanie was how safe they felt next to him. How couldn't they be the least wary of a human?

Cutting ties altogether would have been suspicious, so she had asked him to have dinner. She would do so a couple of times more and then, little by little, ask him less frequently until it didn't feel abrupt.

She just hoped the pups wouldn't be too heartbroken. She hoped they wouldn't even notice his absence.

«Grandpa has finally received the rest of my funds. I'll look for a job soon, but for now, I'm free. I can finally bring you to eat ice cream,» he said. «You're invited as well, Melanie.»

The way he said her name would make her wary every time, but she was growing used to it. He hadn't dared use her name so often in the past, especially while Robert was alive.

«Yes, grandpa!» Scarlet exclaimed.

Even Jaden was happy with the idea.

However, leaving the pups alone with Luther was exactly what they were trying to do.

«I can't say anything, Luther. Their parents will decide.»

«Sure, I'm going to ask Lara about it. But they're so calm and smart. I saw them order and pay for ice cream by themselves. Isn't that awesome?»

They blushed again, happy.

Melanie sighed. She was getting tired of that show. True, the kids loved Luther, but they also loved other people but wouldn't be so calm. She had called Samantha and made her tell every detail about their vacation, and they hadn't been shy in an enemy pack.

Why would it change in front of their grand-uncle?

She frowned, wondering if it was a blood thing. In that case, would they be so tame with Gracelyn Clayton as well?

She hoped not, for their own safety and happiness. Their mother had suffered because of that woman.

Still, their ease around Luther was a mystery. Was blood enough to explain it?