She gazed at her reflection in the bathroom mirror and sighed; her lip was split, there was a gash above her right eyebrow, and a sizable bruise adorned her cheekbone. Contusions on her knuckles and a significant bruise indicating fractured ribs, numerous lacerations on her arms and abdomen, as well as several on her lower back. They were not intent on inflicting serious harm upon her, but rather on subduing her. They desired her survival, presumably to be captured and treated similarly to the other girl.
To be auctioned at a nefarious black market, an unsettling notion. Regrettably, it occurred in solitude and without protection. The four now understood that she was not human, and it was hoped they were not residents of the area.
Throughout the years, she had encountered few rogues, occasionally one or two, but she could easily disregard them as if she were inconsequential, merely a mundane human of no interest to them.
Although Brianna wished to dissociate from that girl and her Mate, she could not, in good conscience, abandon her to a dreadful fate. Despite her anguish in realising she had reunited them, the girl, being young, did not merit being commodified and exploited as a s*x slave by a sadistic wolf, destined for a life of torment and suffering.
Brianna showered, changed, discarded her bloodstained clothing, and proceeded two blocks to await Logan at the bus stop. Layla’s face was healed; she had prioritised her healing ability on it first. The bleeding from all her wounds had ceased, but her fractured ribs required additional time to mend. However, it was autumn, making a long-sleeved shirt and jeans suitable for the season, effectively concealing her injuries from his view.
Ryder’s Perspective
Ryder was seething in his vacant hotel suite. Sadie was instructed to remain in this room without exception. However, she was absent; the girl was explicitly inviting punishment.
He contemplated, somewhat distractedly, how his father would react if Sadie informed him that he had assaulted her. He sighed, recognising that he was unlikely to inflict harm, despite his intense desire to do so; ultimately, he would refrain. Contemplated how irate his father would be upon his decision to escort that girl directly to the cells and confine her within one of them.
She had contravened his explicit directive, as well as her Alpha’s command, and contemplated the duration of her absence, believing she had not ventured far. Her handbag remained on the couch where he had instructed her to sleep. Upon inspection, she found no phone within it; she must have it on her person.
I called her number and expressed my frustration into the vacant room. It was indeed deactivated.
What was the purpose of having it if it was deactivated?
He turned and exited his hotel suite, slamming the door shut behind him. He returned solely to verify her compliance after lunch, and she was not adhering to instructions. He descended the stairs and presented her photograph to the human doorman, enquiring, “Have you seen my sister depart?””
“Indeed, I arranged a cab for that attractive young woman,” he remarked with a smile at Ryder.
“To what destination?””
“I just hailed it,” the doorman informed him.
“At what time?”Ryder rebuked the man, his irritation no longer containable.
“Approximately 40 minutes ago, I presume,” he replied, glancing at his watch.
“Correct,” Ryder murmured. “Forty minutes in confinement and still ongoing, little sister,” she had been cautioned; he intended to proceed, irrespective of his father’s opinion. She was instructed by their father to comply with all directives given to her.
Despite being explicitly warned by him, her alpha, she still chose to disobey.
Returned to his rental car and proceeded to the location where he had left his unit. Nothing appeared to be proceeding favourably; it was a 30-minute drive back to the café they were utilising as their base to observe Brianna’s store. Entered the store to discover Luca absent from the table with the boys, observed Nolan and Enzo, a subtle frown on his face due to the absence of his Beta, only for Nolan to direct his gaze meaningfully towards the café counter area.
His gaze shifted towards it, and he found himself directly observing Stella as he seated himself. Now that their cover was compromised, she regarded him with a raised eyebrow while retrieving her coffees from the girl behind the counter.
Nolan communicated telepathically, “Luca is in the toilet and attempted to prevent us from being identified as your associates.”
Stella passed him en route to the door, casting a direct glance in his direction. I have already informed you that she has not been working at the store for several weeks.
“Merely coincidence,” he remarked in response.
“Indeed, you are quite distant from your place of origin!”She declared and subsequently exited the door. Ryder scowled, far from home; either she had researched him or Brianna had disclosed their origin. “They typically do not frequent this café.”
Nolan shook his head and stated, “There are four on the street, and she wandered along, examining each one in succession.” She briefly gazed at me before entering and ordering coffees.
