NOVEL NEXT Chapter 558: Girls' parties (2)
Lara sipped her tea with a relaxed expression. She had gotten the admission she was looking for, but she couldn't just leave after troubling Mary Dixon like that. She'd better stay a little longer and avoid mentioning Pike, not to hurt her friend's feelings even more.
Jaden had stopped staring at the night scenery and had moved his attention to another painting featuring fruits on a table. His head was tilted, his forehead wrinkled because he was analysing the strokes of the painter.
When he got tired, he reached Lara and sat by her side. He nibbled on a cookie while looking for a way to get closer to his mommy without anyone noticing. He didn't want to interrupt her chat with Mary Dixon. He knew his mommy liked to chat with her friends.
When Lara's hand reached his head for a caress, Jaden closed his eyes and enjoyed the light touch with a smile.
At least, his mommy always knew when he needed her. Not like Nate.
He leaned on her, moving on the sofa and ending up in her arms. He hugged her with his hands sticky because of the sugar, but his mommy said nothing.
She didn't care about her clothes when it was about her cubs.
Meanwhile, Mary Dixon's attention had returned to Jaden. They were discussing one of the recent events in high society - one of those Lara had missed because she didn't really go out much - while the little boy was discreetly cuddling with his mommy. When she realised it, her eyes started shining and she forgot all about that event.
«How cute,» she said, regretting it immediately. Little boys didn't like being told they were cute.
But Jaden was different. He either was used to that, or he didn't care so much. He continued hugging his mommy and beaming when she returned a caress or glanced at him.
«Everyone should have a son like yours, Lara. Little boys are even cuter when they're mommy's boys.»
At those words, Jaden looked at her. His big brown eyes weren't easy to read, so Mary feared - once again - that she had offended him.
Continue reading stories on empire
«I am mommy's boy,» he said, instead.
Lara chuckled, her chest filling with warmth. Her cubs were turbulent and always ready to cause trouble, but they also knew how to make her forget all about it with their words or actions. What made her the happiest was how Jaden felt no shame in admitting his feelings, even if he was a boy.
He would simply say it out loud as if there was nothing wrong - and there wasn't!
«This one will become such a gentleman,» Mary said. «Just like his father, right?»
«Right,» Lara said. «I'm glad he has someone whom to learn from. Even though, sometimes, I feel like Jaden is already smoother than Nate.»
She realised what she had said only when she had finished, so she moved a hand on her mouth. But it was too late to unsay it. Also, she didn't mean anything bad.
«Is he? Nate Woods is known for being cold,» Mary pointed out. «It's not that hard to be smoother. I mean, even just looking at your boy makes me realise he's more approachable.»
«It's not like that,» Lara said. «Jaden isn't more approachable than Nate. Not at all. You just think so because you see him like this now, but... He doesn't trust strangers that much. And he's not easy to fool, right Jaden?»
«My mommy said not to trust strangers,» he pointed out. As such, he wouldn't let them approach him. «And dad said to protect Scarlet, so I can't let strangers talk to either of us.»
«Oh, how cute!» Mary repeated. Even though, what was that difference in treatment: mommy, dad? However, something told her it was already a miracle he wasn't calling Nate by name, but she couldn't say why she thought so. Instinct? Her usual attraction for drama that would make her see trouble where there was none?
Maybe Lara was right about it being just an impression. Maybe that little boy was less approachable than he looked.
«So, you protect your sister when you're together,» she said.
«Yes, of course. Dad said I have to if I want to become a man and beat him.»
«B-beat him?»
«Yes, to take mommy away.»
«Oh, sure,» she chuckled. It was all a facade: he wasn't cute and lovely at all, except with his mommy. But it made her like him even more. It also explained a little about the difference in treatment between his parents.
He was a mommy's boy. A hundred per cent.
Meanwhile, Lara straightened her back in panic. Why was Jaden talking like that? Didn't he know that humans didn't challenge their parents to take one away? Oh, but... Did wolves do that if they weren't Alpha's pups?
«Mommy's lovely boy,» she said, planting a kiss on his head. She tried distracting him, but Jaden was not Nate. He wasn't so easy to distract.
He did smile and enjoy the care, but he didn't change the topic. And Mary Dixon was having too much fun to let them talk about anything else.
«So, your dad told you you have to beat him to take your mommy away?» she asked.
«Not really. He didn't say so, but it's what I will do when I become tall like him.»
«But he will be old when you grow up!»
«Oh,» Jaden hummed. «Old?»
He imagined his grandpa Luther. He would never beat him, mostly because grandpa Luther didn't want his mommy. And also because Jaden liked him.
«Old?» he wondered. What was that aunty saying?
«Yes. Nate Woods will become old as you grow up. Don't you feel guilty about beating an elder?»
Jaden blinked. Sure, Nate would become older. How didn't he think of it?
He hadn't considered that matter before, so he looked at an undefined point on the lower table in front of them. He brought one hand to his chin; it was the same position Nate Woods would have while thinking, it was known far and wide.
Mary Dixon squealed in amazement when she saw it. Jaden was Nate's son, after all.