The second Black Moon since the day she met Nate again had just started, yet Lara was already tired to the bone.
She was planning to cook for her family - since Melanie would have been in an odd mood as well - but she couldn't help but want to sleep more. Before, when that happened, she would just grit her teeth and focus on her cubs. Yet, with a family helping her, relaxing was just too much of a temptation.
For some unknown reason, Scarlet had been very, very affectionate with Nate for the whole time, and Jaden was busy chatting with his father. They were so taken by each other that they forgot to cling to Lara and ask her about her day, sniffing her scent in search of the people she met. Nor did they complain any further about her playing with other pups. Were they turning for the better, becoming less territorial and adapting to living in a pack?
She couldn't know it, but she hoped it was like that.
Still, not even the Black Moon could make the twins go to her in search of comfort? Were they changing their mind and opting to become possessive of Nate all of a sudden?
She pushed back that sour feeling rising in her heart. She had wished for her kids to accept their father. What right did she have to feel jealous? It was a good thing; they were getting used to Nate, and they might even be happy if they became a regular family.
Yet, why have they moved their attention away from her all at once? Shouldn't it have been more gradual?
«I will be back soon,» she said, walking away without anyone batting an eye.
Period cramps were killing her, even if they had given her a break while playing with the other kids. She had felt so well back then. She didn't know whether it had any connection to how packs worked, but the kids liked her as much as she liked them. It had been fun and recharged her batteries, bringing her for a moment back in time to when her cubs were like that: small, silent, and not yet cubs.
When she came back after a hot shower, she didn't notice any change. Jaden was still talking, and Scarlet was burdening Nate with hugs and kisses. How long could that phase last, for goodness?
It almost looked like they had found their father after months of separation.
Moreover, they seemed all right to her. They didn't need her comfort! Not even the Black Moon was making them run to her, all three of them, in search of hugs and caresses. Oh, but that might have been the reason behind their odd behaviour.
They were feeling something she, as a human, couldn't.
«Isn't it time for sleep, Jaden?» Nate said at some point.
He had talked with the little boy for the longest time, and he was starting to feel a little annoyed by Scarlet's clinginess. Moreover, the little girl would take a break from her loving hugs and bite his shoulder in between; maybe out of habit, or maybe because her teeth were tingling. Or just, she loved him as much as to bite him.
How Lara could resist for years was still a mystery to him.
«Your father is tired from work, kids,» Lara said, sitting next to them on the sofa. «You should be a little considerate.»
«But I am not tired yet,» Jaden replied. «I have so many things to ask!»
«You will ask him tomorrow. Nate isn't going anywhere.»
The little boy nodded, feeling the meaning behind his mommy's words. So, Nate would stay with them.
He sighed, relieved he could continue to talk another day. And also that his mommy wouldn't have a baby with someone else. With Nate, somehow, Jaden felt like there was hope to stay where he was, with his mommy and sister. Plus their grandma and aunty Sam.
With Nate, like it or not, they were better than without Nate.
«We can talk another day,» he pouted, displeased yet accepting his mommy's request.
«You too, Scarlet,» Lara said.
The girl turned to her, thinking hard about something. She crawled down from Nate's lap and reached her mommy. She hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek just as she had done with Nate. Maybe with less intensity, but she wasn't afraid to lose her parents anymore.
«Me too!» Jaden said, pushing his way through and hugging his mommy as well.
Lara's heart started beating again, and that weird jealousy disappeared. Her cubs had been focused on Nate, but they didn't forget her.
«Mommy loves you,» she said. «Mommy will always love you.»
«Even if we have a little brother or sister?» asked Jaden.
«Of course!»
«Then I don't care,» he decided.
As long as his mommy stayed with them, he could accept another attention-stealer. Just one, though. More would have been too much of a distraction.
«Now go to sleep, please,» she sighed. «Mommy is very tired today, and your dad has had a long day as well.»
«I will, mommy. Just one more minute,» Jaden said.
«Do you even know how long a minute is?»
«Dad taught me.»
«Oh, he's dad now?» she chuckled, caressing his head.
«Yes.»
«That's good,» she sighed. «You should love him just as much as you love me. Even more, if you want.»
«I don't want to. My mommy will always be first.»
She chuckled, turning to Nate with a bright smile.
Even if his kids were openly admitting they wouldn't prefer him to Lara ever, he didn't look upset or worried. If anything, his eyes were warmly watching his family, and his lips were distended in a calm smile. He was happy to see his mate and kids cuddling together. Even if it meant he had to wait for a little before getting his hug and goodnight kiss, not just that he didn't mind it: he was happy.
It was the most difficult night of the month, but he was calm and pleased.. His heart was happy, and he didn't need much more from his life.
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