The family happily drove for about an hour.
Oh, well, Nate was happy. Lara was content and excited.
The cubs were still pondering about how they should feel. Their mommy was nearby, and they could watch her closely so Nate wouldn't have any chance to grab her and run away.
Was it enough to choose to relax?
Scarlet was rather relaxed. She knew their mommy would come back even if Nate did manage to take her away. But Jaden was not of the same opinion. He didn't want to allow that man to have their mommy even for a day!
«Are you hungry, kids?» Nate asked, winking at Lara.
«I am,» Scarlet replied.
She didn't want to waste time, so she said her mind without any filter. Her brother still couldn't accept they weren't strong enough to get rid of Nate, but she was wiser.
Even throwing a tantrum didn't push that man away: it was pointless to resist any further. It would have been better to keep him under watch and find a potential weakness to hit. She could get rid of him only like that.
«There's a restaurant here, look,» he murmured.
He had already signalled he was going to turn when he spotted a familiar bike in front of the place. It was a restaurant with a few rooms, working both as a place where to eat and to sleep.
The motorbike was dark, just like the surroundings. He couldn't be sure it was the one he suspected. However, one can never be sure.
If he was right, it was better to avoid that inn for a long, long while. Not even a whole night might have been enough.
«This place is ugly,» he commented nervously.
Lara chuckled, amused by his sudden change of mind. However, she didn't say anything.
The pups, on the other side, moaned a long no, pursing their lips in pouts and showing the desperate expressions of those who saw food walk away from them.
«There must be a place nearby!» Nate's attempt at cheering them up failed, just as expected. But they didn't complain out loud.
Somehow, he was expecting them to be way louder. For some reason, he found it sad. Which kid wouldn't throw a tantrum in front of a similar situation?
His kids hadn't, and he wondered if it was because they could understand when something was not worth crying for. He was sure Lara gave them everything they needed, but she didn't have enough resources to spoil them as much as she wanted.
That was going to change as soon as they understood he was able to get them just anything, Nate considered with a sigh.
«It's just a few minutes more,» Lara said, instantly relieving the mood in the car.
Her few words heartened the pups and relaxed Nate. She didn't know how much her influence could change the three wolves' thoughts.
In the end, it took them a while to reach the next open restaurant. It was a fast-food chain, but none of them wanted to proceed further before eating.
«In this place, you can use your hands,» Nate explained while getting off. He opened the door behind him, and he unfastened Scarlet's belt.
The little girl hugged his neck before he could retreat, and he picked her up with a puff. She was so lazy, asking him to carry her as often as possible.
Jaden, on the other side, waited for his mommy to be done with the belt. Then, he asked for her hand to get off, and he followed by her side.
«Use your hands,» Nate repeated before crossing the door, «but no fangs and no claws.»
«I've never been in a restaurant like this, daddy,» Scarlet said. «Can you show me how to get my food?»
Needless to say, her only experience at a restaurant was when Nate brought them all.
«You just ask the waiter. He'll bring it to you.»
«Oh, is that so? So easy?»
«Yes, it is. As long as you have money to pay, you can order your food and enjoy it at your table.»
«I don't have money, daddy.»
«That's normal. You're too young to have money.»
«So, how do I get my food? I don't want to ask mommy. She earned her money working hard.»
«You can ask me.»
«Really?» she mumbled, tilting her head. «Do you have money?»
«I do. I came here prepared... I wouldn't bring you to a family vacation without funds, right?»
Scarlet shrugged, still confused.
«Also,» Nate added, «I earned my money working hard as well.»
«Yes, but I don't care about your efforts. My mommy is more important.»
«That's right,» Nate agreed. «Always prioritise your mommy. Even after you grow up and fall in love, remember to be sweet and delicate with Lara. Are we clear?»
«I am always sweet with mommy,» the little girl said, pursing her lips. «Except sometimes,» she then said. She had just remembered when she hurt her mommy after losing control.
When the two reached the table, Jaden and Lara were already sitting. The place had chairs and small benches around the table. Jaden had dragged Lara to a table in the corner, and he had pointed at the bench and made her sit there. He had climbed soon after, blocking one of her sides.
Without thinking twice, Nate leaned Scarlet on the other side of the bench, completing Jaden's plan to have Lara guarded on both sides.
He knew it was going to end like that, and sitting next to Lara would have meant dealing with Scarlet and helping her eat. He wouldn't have any time to dedicate to Lara either way.
He was saving his energies for battles he had some hope to win.
«Now, now... Do you trust me about this?» Nate asked, looking at the menu. They were almost the only customers at that time and from that deserted road.
«Of course not,» Lara chuckled. «I do know a thing or two about fast food!»
«Oh, but Scarlet told me she's never been to one.»
«That's true. I didn't want the kids to eat this kind of food. I usually cook at home to make it healthier...»
«Right!» Nate said. Lara did pay a lot of attention to the pups' food habits. «You're so stern, though. I'm going to be the meek parent if you agree...»
He winked while letting her read the menu for herself.
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