章 22: The first little failure

Lara widened her eyes when she saw the luxurious building where Nate lived. There was even a concierge!

The stairs were made of marble, and the building was not too tall, all in all. There were around twelve floors.

The line of lifts had four entries. Each of them had a magnetic reader to allow the residents to use theirs.

«This one is the lift to use to reach my apartment,» Nate explained. «I will give you a magnetic card.»

«Why?» Lara asked.

She couldn't imagine a reason to go up and down that place. As a start, she wasn't even sure the concierge would allow her to get in if she wore her regular clothes. That place looked really exclusive.

«So that you won't need to ask for help every time,» Nate replied with a shrug. «It'll save your time. And also, it's not too heavy, I promise!»

His joke didn't help relax the atmosphere.

Lara smiled, but the cubs just stepped even closer to her. She was holding hands with them, and they would glare in silence and protect her from any attempt of the man.

When the elevator door opened, Nate skilfully moved to the right and signalled his family to get in before him.

He had planned that move.

When Lara got it, slowed by the kids, he could follow her and stand on the right. The button to press to make the elevator move was on the left.

There weren't any numbers on the buttons, for that particular elevator would bring them to the top floor only, opening in the waiting room of his penthouse directly.

He bowed forward, murmuring some fake apologies.

Lara tried evading his hand, not to be a bother, but his scent reached her. And his body temperature made her feel warm for a second.

She pretended nothing happened because that was not the moment to let loose. She had to keep her wants under control: she was a mother, not a teenager anymore.

Yet, her cubs noticed how she blushed and evaded everyone's eyes. They exchanged a long look, but they couldn't think of anything to do to block that man.

He really was skilful! He must have been an experienced playboy. Their mommy deserved better than a man.

She already had them: why was Nate trying to infiltrate?

«Welcome to my humble home,» he exclaimed when the doors opened.

Lara and her cubs took a deep breath once out of the elevator. They crossed a door, following Nate, and ended up in the living room.

The biggest televisor they've ever seen, even in shops, was hung on one wall. The sofa seemed comfortable but not too cosy, covered by black leather.

In general, the furniture had a modern style. There weren't too many movables, to begin with.

The wall on the northern side had a huge window right in the middle, letting them take a look at the park around the building and the streets on that side.

«We can't see the LY Corp's building from here,» Lara said, looking from side to side. She was very close to the glass, but she didn't lean her hands and face like the cubs. They were leaving their fingertips, their breathing forming droplets and fogging the glass.

«It's on the other side. I have just a regular window on that side, though, not such a big one.»

«This place is huge!» Lara noticed, looking at the high ceiling and the endless living room. «Do you live here alone?»

«Yes, I do,» Nate replied. What was she thinking? Who could he share his spaces with?

«How long does it even take to clean it all?» she chuckled.

«I don't clean it by myself,» he sighed. «I pay people to do it for me.»

«Oh, right. That's how well-off people do,» she realised.

«You see, I wasn't joking when I said there's enough space for everyone here.»

«You were right,» she replied.

«So, will you move here?»

«No, we won't. I don't want to inconvenience you, and the kids are still too used to me. It's better if we continue living in our apartment. It's not luxurious like yours, but it's where we feel at home.»

«Why can't you feel at home here?» he rebuked, his heart hurting for the harsh rejection. «And you won't inconvenience me!»

«Oh, you must be used to your spaces and your rhythm. The kids and I would only disrupt it.»

«But at least think about it! Don't say no so readily.»

She nodded, pretending to give it a thought.

Nate knew she wasn't really considering it. For some reason, she didn't want to accept what he offered her.

Was it because she didn't want to disturb him? Really?

Maybe, she wanted her own freedom more. Or she didn't accept because he would be included in that offer.

«Let's... Let's go eat,» he sighed. He was expecting as much. Failing at the first attempt was reasonable.

He never tried courting a girl before. Werewolves didn't really have long engagement periods. They would meet and instantly decide whether they liked each other or not.

In his case, it did happen just like usual. Yet his mate had retreated and left him with the task of conquering her back.

If he had known it before, he would have studied more about how girls should be wooed.

«Scarlet, Jaden, let's go,» Lara called.

The cubs split from the wall with difficulty, trying to convince their mommy to stay there and watch some more. In the end, though, mentioning food was enough to have them stroll to the dining room.

«Shall I help you?» Lara offered.

Nate shook his head and moved the chair for her. Then, he realised the pups were roaming free. In the end, he caught the closest one and settled him on a chair while Lara did the same with Scarlet metre away.

Nate couldn't gallantly help her sit as he was planning.

«I will be right back,» he said. He disappeared into the kitchen, a little disappointed.

However, he couldn't just ignore the pups. That would have detracted points with Lara.

He sighed again. Life was so complicated.