CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Lara woke up with a headache. The place she was in was dim, and just a little light could pass by the curtains and reach her eyes.

She was in a hotel room. There was someone sleeping next to her.

She could hear their breathing, and a pair of strong arms were circling her waist. Her head was on their shoulder, but she couldn't move away because of the tight grip.

Something was terribly comfortable about that hug, but she needed to get up. First of all, she needed to go to the toilet. And, likely, to collect her things and return home.

She was without clothes, which made it clear enough what she had been doing that night.

She sighed, turning on the side and showing the back to the blonde stranger. She could spot, after a few minutes of staring in the dark, his hair colour. But his face was sunk in the pillows.

His fingers were firm on her skin, as if never wanting to let her go. Those arms were the most perfect arms she had ever seen, firm and steady, with just enough muscles to be attractive without looking bulky. How was it that she felt that night? Had she taken the chance to touch them enough?

She pressed a finger on the right hand, now on her stomach. She thought about caressing up, but something stopped her before she could.

Her head hurt even more. Stings of pain made her move her fingers from that stranger's hands to her temples. It was so damn painful; the more she tried remembering or wondering about the events, the worse it was.

It ached so much that she felt almost blind. Still, she managed to slip out of bed. Sensing the pressure of her body, that man let her go.

She collected her clothes, silently, and even stopped at the toilet before looking for her purse. She left the room on tiptoe and wore the shoes outside.

Since the headache didn't decrease, she continued walking and called a taxi to bring her to the train station. It was a long ride back to Sheton, and she couldn't wait to reach her bed. She was tired, and everything hurt. Especially her legs, she noticed after taking a few steps.

What in the world had happened? Her thighs were burning like after a long run or a session of intense dancing. Her back felt sore, even though she barely noticed that part.

Why would people engage in one night stands if they felt so terrible soon after? She felt wasted. She hadn't even drunk that much, all things considered, so the heartburn was out of place.

Her headache, too, was new. She had never felt it so intense and pulsing before.

«I'll never drink again,» she muttered. At least, she had ended up with a handsome stranger. Things could be worse.

Also, being so far from home, the chance to meet him again was practically zero. She was safe, and that adventure was something no one would have known. She just needed to survive the journey.

Meanwhile, Nate also woke up. He scratched his head while looking for any trace of his mate.

He had forgotten to ask her for her name. He would have done it that morning, no big deal. Just, he had been an idiot. Now his mate would think he was after sex and not any meaningful relationship.

What man wouldn't ask a woman's name, after all? Oh, if she knew he was a wolf, she might have understood. Also, he needed a plan to introduce her to the whole matter.

A human mate was a difficult partner for any wolf, but it could be even worse for Alphas. She had so much power, but she couldn't feel it. And the pack might have disliked her.

Given the time, they needed an Alpha female more than they needed complaints. Human or wolf, what difference would it make? He would have found a way to overcome anything. Explore stories on empire

He got up and wore his trousers, more so not to traumatise his mate if she came out of the bathroom and saw him naked. At the light of the day, he had to act normally. He had to be cautious and gentle with her.

He waited some more for her to get out, but he noticed the silence. She wasn't moving on the other side of the door, yet her scent guided him to the restroom. Was she not feeling well?

Odd, he couldn't really feel her presence except for the scent...

He opened the door, careful about any shouting. Still, she didn't say a thing. When he opened it wide, he knew why: she wasn't there!

She had abandoned him after their first night together.

Maybe, a part of his brain thought, she would come back later. Maybe, she was out for breakfast?

Oh, why should he hope for anything? He wasn't that lucky, had never been. She was human, and, as a human, she didn't feel any connection. As such, for her, leaving was easy.

He hadn't been interesting enough to trigger her curiosity. His love wasn't firing enough, his caresses weren't light or daring. Something was wrong, either way, because she hadn't even waited for him to wake up before collecting her things - every single one of her properties - and disappearing into that terrible day.

His heart sank in a pitch-black pit from where it wouldn't resurface ever again. He had been abandoned by his mate... And she hadn't even rejected him, just left.

His lower lip trembled at the realisation while his body felt physical pain. Everything, as wonderful as it had been during the night, had a shadow of evil at the light of the day.

What a terrible day, never been worse. He was alone, suffering, and his phone started ringing insistently. They were calling him again.

It was time to go: the company and the pack needed him with urgency. Unlike his mate, who seemingly could live just perfectly without even asking his name. Without leaving a note or her phone number.