CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

They were almost in. The outer circles had been easy to take care of, and the path for the retreat was paved and ready in case of need.

There were only three layers left, and the fighters were becoming strong enough to put up a fight.

But Nate was expecting it. He had told the soldiers how to move, and the guards were left in the outer circles where they risked less and had to keep the situation under control. Only those powerful enough could step in the centre, for that place was dangerous for regular wolves.

With Samantha by his side, it would have been easier. Yet, he couldn't risk so much. If Samantha met her mate, no one knew what she could do. It wasn't just about her loyalty but also her mental sanity. It might have traumatised her to fight against him or see someone else beat him up.

Even if she said she was ready to fight, it wasn't true. And it wasn't anyone's fault, just like most things regarding wolves. It wasn't easy to have a destined partner, and Nate knew it well. Even though he had been so lucky.

A shy smile appeared on his lips at the thought of Lara and the pups waiting for him. He had to go back early. They were worrying, maybe.

While they crossed yet another layer, the battle started getting fiercer. The soldiers following towards the centre were fewer and fewer. However, as long as Nate was there, he could challenge Alpha Polenta and solve every disagreement like that. Or show the Mayford pack how their leader had left.

They opened the gates of the last circle, the residence in the centre of the base. That was where Alpha Polenta lived.

«Come out, Luciano,» Nate shouted. «Come and fight with me once and for all!»

Even with the noises of many battles, his voice was heard loud and clear by everyone. Mayford was suffering from the effect of surprise, but their fighters were doing their damndest best to survive longer and keep defending.

But, with the enemy so close to the Alpha, their mood was wavering. Where was Alpha Luciano? Was he going to come out and help them a little?

They had the duty to protect him, but not one of them had any hope of surviving an Alpha in a battle. Only another Alpha could keep Nate busy while they retreated together with the rest of the pack...

They needed the Alpha's help to be able to retreat to the outer circles and free their people who were hostages to Norwich wolves.

Yet, their Alpha didn't come out just yet. It must have been part of a strategy.

«Luciano!» Nate shouted again. «Your people are bleeding. Are you going to stay hidden inside, hiding from the battle and protecting your lazy ass? Come out here!»

He knew he was talking alone. There was no one in that residence, was there?

At that moment, when he was thinking of walking through the gate in the huge garden, he felt a presence. There was a wolf in front of him. Strong? Maybe, but nothing over the top. Not an Alpha, for sure.

He hadn't met quite a few of the powerful wolves in the pack, and he was starting to wonder whether they had left together with the Alpha.

The one in the residence wasn't Luciano Polenta but another one of his men staying behind to protect the pack. Not every one of them was a coward, apparently.

Nate got ready for the fight. Even with his power, he shouldn't underestimate anyone. Especially not those as desperate as the last remains of a losing pack.

He didn't know the situation, and he wasn't even sure that presence was coming for him. It might have been one of them surrendering... Yet, that aura didn't have any trace of surrender.

«Come out,» Nate said.

The wolf with black eyes stood in front of him. He moved his feet, bending his knees for better balance and folding his arms in front of him for defence.

Renato didn't really have a choice. He couldn't run away, and he couldn't beat all those people. Yet, he couldn't just let them destroy his home.

He was conflicted. Coming out and proposing a truce was so appealing, but he had no influence to do so. His word was his alone, and it wasn't enough for a treaty.

As such, after witnessing the higher-up collecting their things soon after their Alpha left, he understood the situation. They were fucked up, done for.

What was even worse, the others in the pack didn't know why they were fighting, for what reason and since when. They were defending the pack with what they got, and Renato would have done the same.

«Don't get out of your room, Lucretia,» he said while opening the door and walking outside. He didn't even know if buying time would have any advantage at all, other than letting their Alpha reach further.

He got ready for a fight, facing Nathaniel Woods for the first time in his life. Facing an Alpha.

He knew he would lose, but that was not relevant. His parents lived in the quarters; his sister did, even though momentarily with Samantha. His friends and the people he grew up with were all there, fighting or already captured. He couldn't be the only one giving up before throwing a single punch.

«I'm ready,» he said, looking Nate directly in the eyes.

That was the ultimate sign of challenge, and Alphas hated it. They hated being looked in the eye, and they hated being provoked.

Still, Nathaniel Woods didn't move a muscle. He just observed his opponent in silence, quietly assessing his capabilities.

He knew who that man was even if it was the first time they stood in front of each other like that.

«Luciano's chief of security,» Nate exclaimed. «What an honour... Yet, I'm not interested in you. I'll fight your Alpha alone.»

«You first need to beat me,» Renato pointed out.

«I just said I don't fight with Betas.»

«You're so arrogant,» was the last comment. Then, the real war could begin.