The first thing Scarlet and Jaden did when Lara came home was hugging her as if they didn’t see each other for ages. She chuckled and let them snuggle soon after closing the entrance door.

She didn’t notice how they sniffed her clothes and skin, or maybe she was used to it and didn’t pay attention.

When they sensed Samantha’s scent, they pulled back and looked at each other.

«What did you do today, mommy?» Jaden asked, following to the kitchen. They sat at the table and waited for her mother to fry the meat she bought.

It was the fastest thing she could prepare, so she took out the oil and started cutting the meat into small pieces to need even less time.

«I arranged some papers the whole time. Nothing interesting,» she said.

«And did you meet anyone?»

«Yes, of course.»

«How many people?»

«Oh, how many? Well, I talked with a total of three.»

While Jaden interrogated her, with his cute and innocent expression, Scarlet sat in silence and listened. She wasn’t one to talk too much, usually.

«That’s a lot!» Jaden exclaimed. «And how were they?»

«I talked with the HR Manager… You met him, kind of. It’s the guy that got out of the elevator with me.»

«Oh, yes…» Jaden mumbled. He did check out that man before the elevator moved downwards. He could tell it was another wolf.

Oh, in reality, that whole place had the scent of wolves.

He couldn’t be sure, at first, because they had never met another one before that day. Yet, while sneaking in, they could pass unnoticed only because their scents mixed with those of the others.

There were many, many wolves working there.

At least, his father had a use: they finally knew how to call themselves. Jaden could have chosen another animal, but that man said wolves.

«And the other two?» he asked.

Her mother had been in contact with three people. All of them had the scent that told him danger. Did it mean they were wolves as well?

Or was it a general thing? Everyone approaching his mommy could be considered dangerous. What did they want from her, by the way?

«His secretary, Roxy. And Samantha from the sales department. I will be working under Samantha for a while.»

«You will do what she tells you?»

«It seems so. For this week.»

«How long is this week?» Scarlet inquired.

She preferred if her mother could work alone without taking orders from anyone. She would tell that to the tall man. He had six years to recuperate: he could start by giving a better job to Lara.

As both the cubs planned routes to exploit Nate in every possible way without giving him any chance to approach Lara, the girl continued cooking without a single clue.

She placed the meat on the table and used the same pan to fry two eggs for her.

«Wait a few minutes!» she reminded her cubs. Just in time, because they had already stretched their arms out.

She didn’t need to turn to know it.

They sat back on the chairs instead of standing on them to reach the food. And they quietly waited for Lara to finish preparing the eggs too.

Then, when she sat to eat, they used their fingers to grab the meat.

Scarlet munched her portion without waiting a minute. But Jaden had another plan.

He knew they would eat with Nate that night. So, he was starting to fear the tall man could have more food than they did. In that case, what if his mommy decided to stay there?

She hadn’t been swayed away with food before. But they couldn’t be sure her resistance could last for too long. Especially if Scarlet and Jaden started eating even more.

The boy felt it, deep in his stomach. Their appetite was increasing. They would never complain with their mommy because they knew that simply there wasn’t any more meat in the house. But they would often feel hungry even after finishing their part.

Even if they were only five, they could understand what it meant not to have any money to buy more.

He didn’t know how to count, but he could see mommy’s pockets empty.

«I am not too hungry, mommy,» he said, leaving two bites aside.

He pushed his plate towards Lara, and he leaned his chin on a hand.

«You can have my part.»

He didn’t expect his mother to sob. She covered her mouth and hid the commotion, but her smile was radiant.

«What is going on?» she asked. «Why are you letting me have your food now?»

It was something she couldn’t imagine possible. Her cubs were pretty possessive with food. And always hungry.

She straightened her back, now worried.

«Do you have a stomachache? Did you eat something bad?»

«No, mommy. I’m full.»

«It’s not possible, Jaden. You can’t be full with this little…»

She got up and walked to him, crouching in front of the chair.

«Do you want to go see a doctor? If you’re not feeling fine, you have to tell your mommy, okay?»

«I’m not ill.»

«You too, Scarlet. If you don’t feel right, tell me immediately. Don’t keep it hidden from me.»

«We don’t want to lie to mommy,» Scarlet commented.

«That’s good, then,» she sighed.

«I will finish my food,» Jaden surrendered. He had to eat his part and hope the tall man who was their father wouldn’t have more meat to offer Lara.

He wouldn’t have any chance to compete, in that case.

Yet, he and Scarlet had been with their mommy for as long as he could remember. Nate arrived the day before.

That was still an advantage.

«Mommy, will you forget us now that you found our father?»

«No, how could I? You have to spend time with him as well, and get to know him better. But I will always be your mommy.»

She patted his head, considering his offering of food as a consequence of his worries.

«I won’t let anyone take you away forever,» she continued. «I will always come back to take you.. Always.»