CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

Waking up with a few blonde locks ticking his nose and annoying his eyes had never been better. Yet, he couldn't remember how that happened.

There had been a battle; their Alpha had left, and the pack was dissolving; he had lost and was going to die... After that, most of his memories were confused and foggy. Then, all of a sudden, he was waking up in bed with Samantha.

Which part of it was a dream? Most likely, his mate.

She wouldn't come back to him so soon, if ever. And she wouldn't hug him like that while sleeping. She seemed so careful not to hurt him, keeping her arms around his neck but pressing her torso on him to... to warm him?

She was the dream, definitely.

Carefully, he caressed her back. Her scent had filled his nose for the whole night, and her skin had been in contact with his. His whole body was absorbing the energy having her nearby provided, and, even though tired, Renato felt okay.

His wounds had disappeared through the night, except for a few scratches left where the worst injuries were.

«Mine?» he called, whispering as if not to wake her up.

At the same time, he wanted her to open her eyes and continue sleeping. But... What if she decided to leave after seeing he was all right?

«How are you?» she asked even before opening her eyes.

«I'll live.»

«But... Your wounds are disappearing, right? Do you feel pain anywhere?»

«No, but I can't get up yet. I'm too tired.»

«It's because your body has been healing during the night. I'll bring you some food. You should rest more. It's early, isn't it?»

«I don't know. It's sunny outside,» he said. «But it's also so silent. Are the others still sleeping?»

«I think it's just the mood,» Samantha murmured, slipping out of bed and considering whether to wear her boots or not.

«This time, I'm the one naked,» Renato pointed out, attracting her attention.

She looked at him for a moment before realising what he meant, and then she glared. Was it time to make such a comment? Was he still confused?

No, his fever had gone down during the night. And his eyes were clear. He knew what he was saying, which meant he was doing it on purpose.

«You better pay attention to what you say now. Tonight, I pretended not to hear. But without a fever you have no excuses, is it clear?»

«You pretended not to hear? What did I say?» he chuckled. Oh, he could laugh without feeling like dying! Being healthy was so much better.

«Many things, actually. You thought I was a hallucination and not myself, and then you flirted with me the whole time. All while reminding me you weren't in the mood and that you preferred your mate to the hallucination me.»

«Oh, really?» he said.

«You said that I resemble myself a lot, but you liked your mate more. And you called me many ways.»

«Hmm... Sorry,» he said, turning to the side. He could move his arms and legs, but he couldn't summon enough energy to get up and walk.

«You were feverish. It's not like you were doing it on purpose.»

«You're right, but I still shall apologise. I made you feel awkward.»

«You were kind of cute. I've never seen you so harmless and weak. It was a nice change.»

«But I am weak,» he said. «I have always been.»

«You were... I don't know; it was different than your usual self.»

«It was the fever,» he said, just in case she meant it in a bad way.

«I know,» she chuckled. «I'll find some food now. You should rest more while I find some... It might take a while, especially if there's cooking to be done. But if you're lucky, I can warm something from the fridge. If there is anything edible.»

She walked to the door when his voice called her back.

«Sa-Samantha,» he said.

«Yes?»

She didn't even turn. She didn't want to look him in the eye and surrender to their link.

«Can I call you by name?»

«You can,» she said.

It was late to hide it, either way. She knew he knew, so what point was there using annoying pet names?

«You can, Renato.»

«You know. Did Amanda tell you?»

«I heard it from your mother. By chance, actually.»

«Oh, you met my parents. Too bad I wasn't around... Did they ask you difficult questions? They know how to be intruding, especially my mother...»

«They weren't,» she said. «On the contrary, they were nice to me. And they told me where to find you.»

Her lips curled up when she remembered what his mother had called him.

«You stubborn brat,» she repeated.

«Can we talk later?»

«Yes, we can. But don't think that apologising is enough, Renato.»

«I know, Mine. I just want to... I want to explain.»

«And you also have to explain what you mean by my biggest secret. I'm curious.»

She smiled wily, doing her best to hide her worries. He didn't want to confess everything to her hallucination version, but he had no reason to hide it from her real self.

«You know your secret, though,» he said. «There's no way you don't. You wouldn't be able to hide it this well if not.»

«What is my secret?» she said, stepping towards the bed.

«I'm so tired now. Can we talk later?»

«Just tell me this. Do you really know it? Or is it just your way of pulling me back to you? Are you planning to blackmail me?»

«I'm not planning anything. I haven't told anyone about this, and I never will. This secret is safe, and only I could find out.»

«What is it?»

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He sighed, raising his eyes to her. She was so tired after taking care of him, so much that he felt guilty for wanting to die. If he was stronger, he would have healed on his own, without the help of a woman he had hurt so badly.

«I know your secret,» he said, «and you can't convince me it's not like that.»

He took a deep breath before saying the words he had sworn to himself he would never pronounce.

«You aren't an Omega.» His words were slow, convinced, and somehow calm. «Samantha Murphy isn't a born Omega; she's an Alpha.»