First time at a restaurant
By the time they had reached a restaurant, Lara could notice how the cubs weren't too surprised by their father's words.
They already knew about the wolves in the company.
«You two knew it already?» she inquired, just to be sure.
«We sensed wolves on you,» Jaden said.
«Wolves?» she murmured. «Today?»
«And yesterday too.»
«Oh, I talked with Manager Cooper, that's right.»
«No, many wolves, mommy,» Scarlet added. «Many today and three yesterday.»
«Three... Roxy? Samantha?»
«Yes,» Nate sighed. He parked and opened the door to unfasten the first pup's belt. He wanted to run on the other side and open Lara's door, but she wouldn't take it well in that situation. Not with the pups blocked in the car.
And he couldn't think of leaving Jaden alone for the time to go back and forth. He would have been more chivalrous during a date when he and Lara were alone.
Jaden didn't like being carried around, except for when it was his mommy, so he jumped down and followed Nate towards the entrance. Lara and Scarlet reached them soon after, and they went in as a family of four.
«Come this way,» Nate said, guiding them through the main room. «We can sit in this room here...»
As they reached a small hallway, he waved at a waiter and asked them to open the door.
«Welcome, Mr Wood,» the boy said. «Your usual place is free. Please, come this way.»
They crossed the door and ended up in a private room.
The table in the middle was round and not too big, so they could sit there and be close to each other without complicated calculations.
Nate used to eat there with important clients, and he liked the intimate atmosphere that made people lower their guards.
«Bring us the usual,» he said. «No spicy food, though. The kids are still too young for that.»
They sat there, drinking fruit juices and munching some appetisers.
«So... How was your day?» Lara asked.
«It was fun, mommy. You don't need to worry,» Jaden replied. «This man brought us shopping.»
«He's your father, Jaden.»
«But we like what mommy buys us more. Way, way more!»
«Oh, how fun,» she chuckled. «I'm glad you liked your time together, by the way. It makes me happy to hear you're having a good time.»
«We like staying with mommy more.»
«Sure,» she said. «But you shouldn't stay alone at home if we can prevent it, right?»
«We're good!»
«I know, but what kind of mother would leave her kids alone when they're only five?» Lara said. She reached out to Jaden and caressed his face. «Now, it can't happen anymore. Mommy found a good job, so we can spend more time together. But you two will go to the kindergarten when no one can be with you.»
«We prefer him, then,» the little girl added, making her choice pretty fast.
«Scarlet, you too?» Lara sighed. «Mommy would like you to have friends your age.»
«Last time we had friends, we had to move house!»
«Oh, it was different back then,» Lara said.
Nate scratched his chin, wondering if a babysitter would have been better for the time being. Yet, no matter how hard he thought about it, he was still of the idea the pups needed interactions.
With other children, preferably of the same nature.
«Only wolves attend the kindergarten and school,» he said. «You won't need to hide from them. At least until you get used to the new place. After that, the teachers will show you how to act in between humans.»
«Wolves? All of them are like us?»
«Yes, that's correct.» He nodded to reinforce his words.
«Then we can try,» Jaden accepted, staring at his father with suspicion.
«But... How are we going to explain that I'm human and my kids are not?» Lara asked. «They will also ask for documents and stuff... I've never brought them to the doctor after they turned two, so I'm not even sure where their records are... Not to mention... Oh, I don't even know what is needed for a kindergarten.»
«Don't worry. I'm here for that. Let me manage the documentation, and you just get them ready starting tomorrow. I guess they'll need a change of clothes, just in case. And shoes to wear inside the place. Everything else will be handled as the need arises.»
«Will it be all right?» she asked once again. «What if they're bullied?»
«My kids won't get bullied,» Nate replied without thinking twice. In the end, he was an alpha. And his pups did inherit his genes. They were ready to defend their territory.
There was no way the other pups would bully them.
Even though it might have been better not to tell right away he was the leader. Lara thought he was just an employee, maybe a director or a manager, and she didn't show any sign of knowing about his position.
In the end, revealing to her about the pack working in the company had been enough of a shock for a day: he could tell her the rest another day.
«So, shall we eat?» he said when the waiter brought the food. He reached out for the steak in front of him and started cutting it into small pieces. «You should learn to use forks, though. At least in public places.»
Lara sighed, seeing how the kids picked the forks up. They seemed to agree, for some reason. She was sure the reason was the tasty food on the table, but it was fun to watch.
With Nate there, she really could risk relaxing a bit. He took care of the kids and cut their food, so she poured herself a portion and enjoyed the meal.
Half a day with their father made miracles, so she was ready to see how far their new, strange family would improve in the following weeks.
Not being alone had a lot of perks, indeed. If she had known it before, maybe she wouldn't have left that comfy, warm bed.
«Oh,» she chuckled, realising her thoughts went astray.
It wasn't a matter of how she felt only. Nate was involved as well. His feelings were as relevant as hers.