Harmless
Scarlet and Jaden hadn't gone shopping ever before.
They just accompanied their mommy to buy groceries from time to time, and only if Lara was sure they wouldn't act wolfish.
It was the first time they walked into a clothing shop. Nate had brought them to where he usually got his clothes, and he clearly remembered a kids' department. Not to mention women's clothes. Those filled half of the shop.
Yet, he couldn't just buy clothes for Lara without her trying them on. He would blow up his chances if he got the wrong measurements: women were sensitive about sizes.
However, he could one day lure her in there if she liked the pups' clothes.
«Good morning, Mr Wood,» the shop assistant said as soon as she saw him. «How can I help you?»
Nate pointed at Scarlet with his head.
«I'm looking for a pair of shoes for the little miss. Red, was it?»
Scarlet nodded, amazed by the vastness of that place. It had no end!
«I'll be right back!» the shop assistant said before disappearing into the children's department.
She came back with a few boxes and showed the models to the three.
Scarlet pointed at the one she liked the most: a pair of bright red ballet flats with a big white ribbon on the heels.
«I like these,» she said, waiting for Nate's response.
«You should try them on,» he replied. He took one and crouched in front of the little girl.
Scarlet observed how the shoe fit her while Nate worked on the other one.
She knew that man had a hidden agenda. At the same time, though, she liked the shoes very, very much. It was a tough choice.
But, also, she did not promise anything in return! She could just take the shoes and forget about anything she didn't like later.
«You should choose something as well, Jaden,» Nate said.
«I don't want anything from you.»
«Ah, just take it as a present from Santa Klaus or something. Also, it will be something your mother won't need to buy you. It's helping her, isn't it?»
«I want a hat,» he said. «Other boys always wear hats.»
«Sure,» Nate chuckled.
He wasn't surprised. The pups were hiding their wishes not to bother their mother. They were good kids. He could be proud if only he had any influence over it.
All he did was provide his genetic material. If he wanted the right to feel like that, he needed to work on it.
«Also, don't you think your mother would like to have some time for herself?» he continued. «When was the last time she could relax without worrying about you two?»
«I don't know,» Jaden replied with a shrug. «Mommy never complained.»
«She didn't because she loves you. But it would be nice if she could spend a day alone and rest, right?»
«And where would we be?»
«With me.»
«So, you won't go look for our mommy while we're not there, right?»
«No, I can't leave you two alone when Lara entrusts you to me.»
«But what if mommy finds another person to love while we're not there?»
«That can't happen,» he sighed.
The kids didn't have anything to worry about. Nate did, of course. But they were safe. Lara loved them more than her own life, already.
«But you have to take care of your mommy, too,» he continued. «She does so much for you two, right? You should be more attentive. She's so delicate, yet you let her carry you.»
«Mommy has always done that,» Scarlet pointed out. «Our mommy is strong!»
«Hmm... But she's also delicate,» Nate repeated. He was rather stubborn and transparent with his intentions. «She could get tired if she carries you too often. Not to mention that you two are growing up, and you're getting heavy.»
«Ooh,» Scarlet moaned, displeased. She didn't like growing up.
«I can carry you, though. This way, everyone will be happy,» Nate said, trying to cheer her up.
He didn't know why he cared about the pups' mood. All he wanted was for Lara to have an easier life.
«You won't get tired?» Jaden popped in, staring suspiciously. His eyes gleamed for a moment as if he was trying to threaten Nate.
«I will,» Nate said. He even nodded. «I will get tired.»
«But why do we care, either way?» Scarlet added.
The man bit the inner side of his lips to avoid grinning. The pups were easy to manage if they were in a good mood.
He just needed to talk to them, and they would reply.
Being a parent wasn't as tiring as he thought. Oh, it must have been all Lara's hard work. She must have taught them how to behave.
«We should buy clothes for when you spend time with me,» Nate said. «I don't want Lara to take everything upon herself. She deserves some help, right?»
The pups frowned, feeling they were falling into a trap. Yet, they couldn't help but want to make their mommy happy. Whatever it would take.
«Mommy likes blue things,» Scarlet said.
«Oh, I see... She does wear blue very often.»
«Yes. She also has a blue mug at home. And blue bedsheets...»
«Scarlet!» Jaden murmured, offended by the girl's change of heart. «He's the beast-man!»
«Don't worry. He can protect mommy from the others. And we'll protect mommy from him.»
«What if we fail?»
«We won't fail. As long as he's around, the other men won't approach our mommy, right? After all, mommy escaped once from him. He has no hope.»
«Oh, Scarlet,» Jaden moaned.
But, indeed: the other men were more of a threat. Nate somehow seemed harmless. Even if he did know some smooth moves that made their mommy blush, he failed till that moment.
While the pups discussed his dangerousness, Nate sighed and shook his head. In the end, they had something in common with him.
They were territorial and had no intention of sharing Lara without anyone else.
Still... Was it a good thing they deemed him harmless?