CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

All that talk about family and marriage almost made Lara forget what she wanted to talk about with Nate.

«Listen, there's something I wish to tell you. It can wait, I guess. But the sooner you know, the better.»

«Yes?» he murmured while changing into his pyjamas.

«I'd like to enrol in the university in Norwich. They will set the dates for the entry tests soon, and I will try to get in.»

«U-university?» Nate repeated, surprised. It came out of nowhere, but he was happy Lara had plans of her own. «Cool!»

He sat on the bed and waited for the rest. Since she didn't add anything, he assumed her communication was over.

«You should take some time off from work to study,» he said. «Entry tests are no joke.»

However, not having her at the company was a risk for the pack.

«You can work part-time. Or, even better, come to the company to study. Just in case there's an emergency. I can deal with it alone... So, it's not really necessary for you to be there. It would just hearten the others.» Stay updated through empire

«I see,» Lara chuckled, sitting next to him. «I can do that. Seems fine. I'm just worried that being next to you will be distracting.»

«You will have your office. Just choose the floor you like more, and I will free a room. Also, I can keep the pups in the evenings if you need more time. We can watch a movie in the cinema or take a walk... It will work out.»

His tone was calm, but Lara could tell he was excited. As much as she was, surprisingly. She knew he would support her, but she wasn't expecting him to be already thinking so far ahead.

«First, let's see how the entry test goes. Then, we will find our way. There's no need to change our habits, Nate. Many women study while having a family; it won't be impossible. I won't need to study for the whole day, after all. I will take care of the twins just fine.

And of you, of course. I'll spare some energy to take care of you.»

She pecked his cheek, happy he was supportive. She also wanted to give back all the care he had for her. She wanted to do something for him, but she couldn't come up with any ideas.

Nothing she could do seemed enough, but Nate wouldn't hint at any desire. He seemed content by having her nearby, without any request, no matter how trivial.

«I will become part of the HR team once I have a degree,» Lara said. «That way, I'll be part of both the pack and the company. No one will have questions about how I got there.»

«I don't think anyone would inquire like this either,» Nate pointed out.

«They would assume I got the job through the bed.»

Which, actually, wasn't far from the truth. But, still, she wanted to earn it with her efforts. She wanted to be the best employee she could be.

«I haven't spent much from my salary till now,» she continued. She didn't like talking about money, but, as a couple, it was part of their life. They had to agree even to those kinds of details. «I will use it for college fees. In a couple of months, I'll have enough for the first year.»

Nate blinked, wondering why she was talking about it. They wouldn't have financial problems no matter the situation. He could afford college fees.

«That's why I will continue working,» Lara said. «Part-time, but I'll work. I can't afford to do nothing, Nate. College is expensive!»

«But...» he started. Yet, then, he bit his tongue in time.

She could work part-time. He would ensure her workload was reduced when he saw her tired, and that should have worked. She didn't need to work, but she wanted to.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He was starting to understand how to take care of her as well. He wouldn't make the same mistakes as the first time they met.

She had raised two pups alone, providing for them and giving them love. She liked to be independent and to deserve whatever she got.

As such, he couldn't just give her the world in her palm. It would have made her feel worse. It was a risk he wasn't willing to take. If anything, he would use hidden means to spoil his wife without letting her realise it.

«You don't want to wait to get married, though, do you?» he inquired. «Just to be sure.»

«Four years? No, that's too much! We should get married earlier. Like... Next year?»

«Okay.» he said before she could change her mind. One year of time. He had a date to circle on his calendar.

«If we wait too long, the twins will grow up,» Lara explained.

«Of course, that's a problem.»

Well, if she had asked to wait, he would have done it.

«Also, I will be thirty by then. I'll be too old for getting married,» she chuckled.

Nate furrowed his brows. If she was old, what about him?

«Nate, I know I want to stay with you forever. And I know we don't need a marriage to be happy. But I also want to do things the right way. We can't get married right away. There are steps to take, you know?»

«Oh, that's right,» he realised. She had been discreet while hinting to him, but he had understood.

He almost released his tail to wag from happiness. Was she asking him for something, for real? He wanted to bounce on her and cover her face with kisses.

He would have given her a ring! It was time, wasn't it? That was the next step: engagement. He had forgotten about it because it was not a thing for wolves. They would get married straight away...

However, the idea of being tied to something as frail as a promise was exciting. He could claim his mate without the mating ceremony. No one would have gotten too close if she had an engagement ring on her finger.

He bit his lips to suppress the wily grin. Having a human mate still had some advantages.