Nothing to ask in exchange

After all the kids ate for dinner, Lara feared they would have stomach problems. Yet, they seemed fine.

A little sleepy because of their tummies being full, but fine.

She then wondered if it was their need. Maybe, she didn't give them enough to eat. She sighed, wondering how much more she needed to buy. They ate double what an adult would need during that dinner only. And they still had space for dessert.

She couldn't eat much because she was nervous, but she gladly accepted the slice of cake Nate brought her. It had the aroma of orange even though it was dark like chocolate. It was exquisite.

She wanted to ask Nate which store he bought it from, but she already knew she didn't have money to buy it.

As such, she just enjoyed that little luxury to the fullest. She even asked for a second serving.

For once, the cubs didn't make any trouble. They finished their slices and then observed how Lara ate hers. Nate looked at her too, and she didn't notice for a while how all three the wolves were staring at her.

When she finished the cake and could think about something else, the eyes naturally dispersed and focused on other things.

«Now I think it's the case to wash Jaden,» Nate pointed out.

The boy had done his best to make as much trouble as he could. Yet, he finished his ideas and was starting to consider taking a nap. Anywhere would have been fine. On that chair, on the black sofa in the other room, or simply on his mommy's lap.

Scarlet was sleepy too, even though her clothes weren't dirty. Since her mommy was already busy around Jaden, she didn't need to make a mess of herself. Her eyes were closing, but she stubbornly stayed sat on the chair.

«There's a room for them to take a nap,» Nate started, hinting at his real intentions for the first time.

Lara didn't react, as she was cleaning Jaden's face from... Well, from everything. There wasn't a kind of food not on his skin or clothes.

«I have to change him; where is the bathroom?» she asked.

Nate showed her the way and walked back to the table.

Alone with Scarlet, he watched the little girl. The awkward atmosphere would have been worse if the pup wasn't fighting against slumber.

They did eat well. He was surprised they accepted his food. Yet, they stayed in the way the whole time. He couldn't even have a conversation with them wreaking havoc.

«Do you want to sleep?» he asked.

Scarlet stubbornly shook her head.

«Do you want to wait for your mother and watch my moves from a more comfortable place?»

This time, she nodded. Her mommy was far away, but she had better pay attention to that man. He could prepare some traps for later.

She jumped down and walked to him. Nate offered his hand, but the girl just ignored it.

They walked to the living room, and he turned the televisor on. He carefully selected the channel, and Scarlet opened her mouth in front of the cartoon. It was about small animals and a granny living together. She sat on the sofa and didn't move anymore, her eyes wide to catch every detail.

At first, Nate didn't pay much attention to that. But then, he remembered that there was no televisor in Lara's home. That must be why the pups didn't react at the size of that one, but Scarlet became amazed when it was turned on.

He was positive the two knew what it was. Just, they never used one before.

It could have been Lara's choice. Yet, together with other details, like the fact she didn't eat meat, and how her email contact wasn't given in the details of the job interview... He could bet they didn't have money for a televisor or a computer.

«Scarlet...» he said.

«Yes?» the little one mumbled without moving her eyes away from the screen.

«Is there anything you'd like to have?»

«I just need my mommy,» was her automatic response.

«And your mommy? Is there anything she would like to have?»

Scarlet frowned and turned to him.

«I don't know,» she said. «Mommy works hard but never buys anything for herself.»

«Where are your grandparents? Are they dead, perhaps?»

«I don't have grandparents.»

«Is that so? Do you have family friends?»

«No, no. I only have my mommy. And I don't need anything else.»

«I understand,» he sighed. Being rejected by a kid so earnestly hurt his pride. But first of all, his worries about his mate's well-being rose.

He was sure the pups were taken care of. But then, it must have meant Lara would rather renounce many things as long as they had everything.

And, also, he found out that she brought them up all alone. Without the help of a single person.

«Are you sure you don't have grandparents? Weren't they there when you were very, very little?»

He thought she ran away when they started showing their nature. It turned out there was no one right from the start.

She had been alone. That word made him reconsider his years of suffering.

He did feel pain when thinking about her, but he was surrounded by his pack. At the same time when he thought he was unlucky, Lara was pregnant and later with not one, but two children, bearing the sufferance and the judging looks from everyone.

On top of that, her children weren't even human.

He felt shame for his little tricks, for wanting to trap her next to him at any cost. He didn't deserve her yet. He hadn't done anything!

«If only I could find you sooner,» he sighed.

«We don't need you.»

«No, you're right. You don't need me as much as I need you. But you can let me help.»

Scarlet's face showed her reluctance at even believing his sorrow. Yet, she didn't know what else to say. If he could help her mommy be happy, and if he had nothing to ask in exchange, she could allow him to do so.