It is not a simple task for a male of Alpha lineage to accomplish.
Although it had not posed significant difficulty for him, presumably due to his prior experience with her, rendering all else uninteresting. A definitive indication that she was indeed his divinely bestowed mate.
He had searched the courtyard and discovered a small gate obscured by the hedge along the walls, concealed from sight yet well-maintained; the gate did not emit a sound when he pushed through it.
He arranged for Luca to observe her, instructing him to obscure his scent to prevent her from detecting the presence of an observer. She reappeared the following day, late in the afternoon; however, Luca refrained from confronting her or attempting to elucidate anything, opting instead to remain outside due to the dialogue his acute hearing had intercepted between her and Stella.
It appears that Nolan was assigned a moniker by the two of them, “Mr. “Scrumptious.” It appeared that Brianna and Stella shared a significant closeness. Stella had informed Brianna, similarly to how Luca or any member of his unit would report to him.
Stella informed Brianna that she believed he was employing unscrupulous tactics to target her and that she doubted Ryder would withdraw. Stella was indeed correct; it captivated Ryder’s interest significantly.
Stella believed that Ryder had a greater likelihood of coaxing information from her than Mr. Scrumptious did.
Nolan exhaled sharply and fixed a penetrating gaze on Ryder for an extended moment before turning away to gaze out the window. His displeasure was evident to everyone in the room. Luca gazed intently at Ryder for an extended moment before exhaling heavily, prompting everyone, including Nolan by the window, to direct their attention towards him.
He had not wished to disclose further information, yet he ultimately revealed, in a subdued manner, that Brianna had a son named Logan. Luca returned late that night, successfully hailed a passing taxi, and instructed the driver to follow her car home to observe the boy, asserting he merely wished to verify the truth of what he had heard.
Indeed, he had observed her retrieve the boy and escort him home. He subsequently retired to his room shortly after submitting his report, refraining from any further commentary on the issue.
Ryder was aware that additional factors were at play; the entire unit shared this understanding.
Ryder, anticipating Luca’s deliberation on the information, personally visited the man’s suite after dinner, only to discover that he was absent.
Luca departed from the hotel without notifying his Alpha or any of the others.
Ryder promptly called him and reached the man’s voicemail.
He had remained silent and scowled in Luca’s room, refraining from mentioning the boy or her, except to note that he had followed them home. He was aware of the woman’s current residence. She had not disclosed her address to him, and now Ryder began to speculate whether Brianna did not reside alone; she had a son and could potentially have a human husband.
What if that were the case? Luca would probably prefer not to disclose anything to him, given their perceptions of her relationship with him. He had never detected her presence. He was uncertain whether her s****l relations with another individual would impact him. She had expressed her rejection and presumably believed it was valid, as she had not experienced any sense of betrayal since that evening. She might have encountered a human and entered into matrimony.
Ryder was uncertain about the outcome of the situation. At this moment, Aiden was disturbed by the notion of his Mate with another, appeared to grasp the circumstances, yet was profoundly discontented with the thoughts circulating in his mind. They were unaware of the precise circumstances and lacked confirmation of her status as his Mate; however, they held the belief that this was indeed the case.
Both he and Aiden genuinely believed she belonged to them at a fundamental level.
Morning arrived, yet Luca had not returned. Ryder had attempted to contact him numerous times, nearly every hour, indicating that something was amiss, and he found it unsettling. He remained seated in Lucas’s room when the man ultimately entered his suite.
He halted and gazed at Ryder upon seeing him, then merely sighed and shut the door behind him.
“What is occurring, Luca?”Ryder had snapped at him, his anger evident.
I devoted the night to observing her. Followed her to work this morning as well. Refrain from addressing it, Ryder, for the time being.
“You stated that she had a son!”He retorted, still irate.
She does. I have been attempting to capture a photograph of him; that is the reason for my absence’, he stated as he proceeded towards the toilet.
Luca, whatever is occurring. “I require this information.” He rose and pursued his Beta to the bathroom, unwilling to relent. He had spent the entire night waiting for a man who refused to answer his calls, dismissed his Alpha’s attempts to communicate, and ignored his best friend’s calls as well. This had left Ryder in a state of agitation, transforming his annoyance with his Beta into anger. He had not slept throughout the night.
I roamed and paced within Lucas’s suite all night, growing increasingly enraged about the situation.
“We cannot simply take her, Ryder, especially considering her child; greater tact is required.”
I comprehend that; I merely require confirmation on whether she is my Mate. If she is not, I will depart, irrespective of my father’s assertions. Did you obtain a photograph? Regarding the boy?”
“I did,” Luca affirmed with a nod. “I require a shower; I ran this morning. I will speak with you once I am finished.” He then closed the bathroom door abruptly in Ryder’s face.
Ryder was compelled to refrain from forcefully kicking the door and commanding his Beta to divulge the information, while he glared at the door, aware that Luca would have heard Aiden’s snarl due to the disrespect exhibited.
