She remembered Hope weeping when her parents informed her that she could select any dress in the store, as they had saved diligently for her wedding day. As their sole offspring, they desired for her to experience a splendid day. Brianna considered it quite kind and offered them a 15% discount on the dress to assist them, although they attempted to decline her offer regarding the actual wedding. She dismissed it with a smile. It did not perturb her, as it was her establishment and her decision.
Logan awakened her at dawn, fully dressed and eager to run, enthusiastically urging her to rise from bed. She observed that Rowan was awake, the flicker of white in his eyes indicating his readiness for the “who’s faster” challenge. She rose, donned her gym attire, and tossed him a Nashi pear as a snack before their run. “Are we going out in the woods today?””
“Certainly, Rowan will defeat you, mother.” He was grinning with enthusiasm, likely due to his wolf’s eagerness for the challenge.
Layla advanced and gazed directly at him, observed Rowan move forward, and playfully taunted, “Bring it on, son,” while grinning at him.
Immediately after finishing their meal, they exited through the back door and descended the stairs to their modest garden, which featured four elongated stone steps leading directly into the woods. They had been running together in the woods for some time, following a well-worn path from their house that meandered through the woods to Gaf Meadows Park, then to Morgans Run Park, and back again.
Rowan was swift yet still youthful, and Layla was able to match his pace effortlessly; once they re-entered the woods of Golden Estate Park, she surged ahead, laughing. Heard him snarl at her in displeasure as she ran past and left him behind. She had been restraining herself, and he was now aware of it.
They positioned themselves at the boundary of their property and smiled directly at him. Rowan and Logan appeared distinctly irritated, which only elicited laughter from her and Layla. “Too slow, young man,” she teased, playfully tousling his hair.
You have acquired excessive practice’, Logan murmured.
“Oh, please.” Rowan is merely a boy; he will develop strength and speed as time progresses. Eventually, he will be capable of outpacing me in an instant. “I presume,” she smiled down at them, “you wish to take another lap?””
Witnessed him genuinely contemplate it, observed Rowan direct her gaze at her, snort, and subsequently depart while maintaining control over Logan’s body. It appears not. She followed him to bathe and prepare for the day.
He appeared to be irritated during breakfast; however, Layla was currently content, as her day had been brightened by Rowan’s challenge. She genuinely appreciated her inaugural authentic wolfen interaction with her son, marking her first significant engagement with another wolf since they turned 18.
Both she and Layla were aware that Logan and Rowan would eventually outpace them. The boy possessed Alpha genes, suggesting that his initial transformation would coincide with his ability to outpace others. He pondered whether Rowan was already aware of his identity as an Alpha Wolf, deciding to refrain from mentioning it unless it was addressed by them. She believed it was probable that he had stepped forward to shield her from another Alpha.
As she exited her driveway, she experienced an unsettling sensation of being observed, despite observing nothing unusual. Residing at the intersection of two cul-de-sacs, she noted no atypical vehicles on the streets, only the familiar neighbours, whom she greeted with a wave and a smile as she drove past her residence. She even checked the rearview mirror and saw nothing amiss near her home.
Dismissed it as mere paranoia; her residence and vehicle were registered under her legal name, unassociated with her business, similar to Logan’s surname. All matters external to the business were managed by Dieng, yet her true surname remained unknown to others, thus ensuring confidentiality.
She also did not operate any ostentatious vehicle that would attract attention to herself. She possessed a Nissan Rogue, initially ridiculed it upon encountering one, deemed it fitting, examined it, and discovered it offered ample cargo space, beneficial for transporting supplies, and appreciated the motion-activated liftgate, which proved advantageous at times.
Ample seating capacity was available for transporting Logan and his friends.
I dropped Logan off at his friend Tyler’s residence for the boys’ birthday celebration, advised him to enjoy himself, and discreetly cautioned him against allowing Rowan to attend. He glanced at her knowingly before exiting the vehicle to enter the party. Travelled to her store and parked in the parking lot several blocks away, as was her customary practice, then proceeded on foot to her store.
Although the situation was increasingly bizarre and her paranoia intensified, she perpetually felt observed. Even Layla was agitated in her thoughts, aware that whatever entity or individual they had sensed since yesterday, both at the store and today at their residence, portended ill. Brianna did not anticipate that Ryder would be so enraged as to monitor her and dispatch someone to her workplace.
Stella stated that Mr. Scrumptious attempted to obtain her home address. Stella had not done that. She smiled at the notion that Stella had merely desired to strike him in the face; her obstinacy was evident. It must have also irritated Carlos. Few could withstand a Gamma and his allure, particularly a human woman.
One part of her desired to have witnessed it firsthand, while another part contemplated Carlos’s perspective on the matter. A Gamma’s ability was never effective on their own Mate. They were merely annoyed that their Mate attempted to manipulate them into obtaining their desires, which seemed to be Stella’s response to him.
Stella informed Brianna that she was attracted to the man. Each time he walked past the store window, she was compelled to gaze at him. The unfortunate woman may indeed be his human mate. She was unaware, and hoped it would not result in additional difficulties for Brianna and Layla.
