CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

When Nate picked up his kids, Melanie warned him about what had happened.

«I don't think he'll figure it out,» Nate said. Using a wrong word could happen to a five-year-old kid. Even more to Scarlet.

Also, Luther was Lara's uncle. He wouldn't hurt the pups even if he suspected something.

«Don't underestimate him, Nate. His family did trick him in the past, but he's an old fox. He wasn't easy to deal with, back in the days. Not for his opponents, nor partners with unclear purposes.»

«Except for his family,» Nate said, repeating her words. «We are his family now. He won't suspect, believe me.»

«He was burnt once. I don't think he'll believe to family just because. Not after his own brother set him up for a crime he didn't commit.»

«Hmm... Is it true he's innocent?»

«It is,» Melanie said. «Other than I know him, he didn't have any reason to embezzle from his own company. And he has never been as greedy as not to pay taxes for a few cents more. It was a risk he didn't need to take because his finances were stable before the incident.» Continue your journey on empire

«Then why did his family do all of that?» he asked.

«I believe that every charge pressed was true, only the culprit was the wrong one. His family embezzled and stole from his company. He gave a job to his younger brother. After being caught, he must have sold Luther off.»

«And he took the company,» Nate said. «Is that what happened?»

«Namely, it's a different company, but the technology and the connections are those from Luther's old company. Steven Clayton sold his brother in exchange for what he owns now.»

«And what did Gracelyn do in all this story?» Nate murmured, scratching his chin. He had the impression Lara's mother had done something in the dark. He couldn't imagine Steve doing everything on his own.

«I don't know. Your father tried helping Luther, twenty years ago. But the clues pointed at him, and we couldn't risk the LY Corp. Robert was responsible for the whole pack, so he couldn't take a wrong step. He told me Luther was innocent, and they were very much close.»

«If dad thought so, then it must be true,» Nate said.

«I don't know much more. I didn't ask, back in the day. To me, knowing he was innocent was enough. It was a pity, though. Robert went to visit him often, you know? But when Robert died, no one was by his side anymore.»

«If dad was his only friend, he won't hurt the pups. They are dad's grandchildren, after all. Also, I can't see any threat coming from him. He did say he wanted revenge, but I haven't seen any action. I've been monitoring the market and new start-ups. Nothing is happening.

Not in Norwich nor in Sheton.»

«Don't lower your guard. I have no clue what can happen,» Melanie said. «Be careful. And don't leave the pups alone with him anymore. He might figure it out if they growl in front of him. Not to mention the ears...»

Nate nodded, considering the matter. Maybe, they needed to teach the pups more. They hadn't been in contact with human kids - nor adults,f or that matter.

«Mom, I also have something to ask,» Nate said. «Do you know about a rogue wolf in Norwich?»

«A rogue? Not that I know. They don't go undetected for long; you'll find them if they really are in Norwich.»

«I don't know whether they're in Norwich. I just got the suspicion. If it's true, then the rogue must have stayed in Norwich a few times the last few years. Even when dad was alive.»

«It's not possible,» Melanie said. «Unless... Oh, there was a time when we suspected too. But we couldn't find traces. We had the impression there was another wolf in Norwich, but since we couldn't find him, we assumed it was all a coincidence.»

«I see,» Nate said. «Actually, I don't have any clue of a wolf. No energy or scent. Just a painting that made me feel... understood? As if I was communicating with the artist.»

«A painting?»

«The moon,» he said. «Well, actually it was a scenery with the moon as a detail, but I couldn't move my eyes away.»

«Human artists can do that too. They're especially communicative. Might be a coincidence.»

«Again,» Nate said. «A second one.»n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Melanie sighed.

«I don't know about any rogue. But let me know if you find something out. I'll help you deal with the case. If it's an artist, you can't just fight. He's part of human society as much as you are.»

«I'll be careful. Also, Lara said she likes the painting. Maybe we'll be lucky and meet him in person. That would solve it, wouldn't it? A wolf can't hide his nature from another one.»

They turned towards the stairs a few moments before the twins appeared. Jaden was completely awake while Scarlet's eyes were half-closed. She would stroll after him, catching his sleeve when losing her balance.

They reached the kitchen and looked up at Nate.

«Where is mommy?» they asked in synch.

«Mommy is home, sleeping,» Nate said. He had left Lara to rest and came early to the residence to talk with his mother and collect his pups.

Even though Melanie would have kept them until lunch, he was missing them - a little.

He picked up Scarlet when she raised her arms, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, ready to continue her nap. Jaden, held his hand, acting like a big brother.

Since meeting Stella, he had started letting Scarlet get more attentions. He would stand next to Nate instead of asking to be picked up as well. He wanted to look like a grown-up but was still a kid.

Nate was a little worried about that sudden change, but he would also feel proud. His son was becoming a man!

However, he had to ensure some attention to him as well.