“Her response upon seeing me with Sadie was palpable; she exuded pain in waves before abruptly exiting the store. Subsequently, she established a new protocol for her company, prohibiting any appointments with individuals from Wood Industries. Everything seemed to align, particularly after Sadie remarked that Brianna’s entire demeanour became erratic, which it did. I had never witnessed such a reaction to my mere presence before. Sadie suggested that Brianna’s response resembled that of a Mate. Only my Unit and my Doctor are aware of the events that transpired that day, rendering Sadie’s observation particularly striking and thought-provoking.”
“What was her age, Ryder, when she became rogue?”
“Twenty-one,” he replied candidly.
Observed the man shut his eyes and mutter an oath, clearly aware of the consequences.
“Indeed! Allow me to manage it,” he murmured. “Braxton, did you… steal her vehicle?”
“Certainly,” he scoffed as if it were an absurd inquiry.
“Please return home, Ryder. I will keep you updated, and once she is composed and comprehends the situation, I will summon you so we can ascertain whether she is your Mate or was.”
“Simply enquire with her; she will possess the knowledge.”
“Yes,” he affirmed, “but recognising her scent is a different issue. We will address that once I have her brought in.” He then turned and departed, his Beta accompanying him.
“Alpha Nathan,” he referred to him by his complete title.
“No harm will befall her or the boy; I assure you. Furthermore, I will not disclose your knowledge to her; that responsibility lies with you.”
His options were severely limited at this juncture.
He was convinced that Nathan would not harm her or his child, as they were his relatives. He was equally resolute in his decision to prevent Ryder or his Unit from aiding in her capture. He disapproved of the situation and was troubled by the threat Nathan had posed, pondering its nature.
Sighed observed Luca, who exhaled in frustration, contemplating whether he should arrange for her residence to be cleared and her belongings transported back to his pack. Despite her not being his Mate any longer, he intended to ensure her presence in his pack for the upbringing of Logan, the legitimate heir to his pack.
He might persuade her to grant him an opportunity. He was previously unaware of her. Surely, a resolution could be found for the severely disrupted Mate Bond between them. Perhaps if she devoted some time to him, they could rejuvenate their bond and reunite.
Contemplated the house for a prolonged moment, coordinating movers for Luca, encompassing all her and Logan’s belongings, ensuring everything is relocated to the designated pack.
“Are you certain about that? Do you not wish to wait?”
“No, I refuse to wait. Irrespective of the outcome, both Brianna and Logan will be part of my Pack. I will resolve the matter with her, as it is what Aiden and I desire. To resolve it.” He turned and entered the vehicle. “Let us return home. Allow Nathan to bring her in. He is her cousin and likely to have greater success than I will.”
Luca drove in silence for an extended period before stating, “Nathan mentioned she resembles him; he is Mated and has offspring. I can detect his scent. No wolf will mark another without first identifying their scent, except in the case of chosen mates. Perhaps once that charm is removed in private between the two of you, you will be able to discern her scent.”
“I am uncertain,” Ryder sighed while gazing out of his window. Aiden remained silent, discontent with the prospect of her and Logan being transferred to another pack.
Nathan asserted his relation as a cousin to her, yet his surname was Avery, not Dieng. Presently, Brianna was identified as Layla. Despite her birth, she was registered under the name Dieng, lacking her father’s surname. He remembered there were no siblings; she was an only child.
Nolan and Enzo were tasked with driving Sadie’s car back to the pack in Florida. They would arrive significantly earlier than the others, while he arranged for himself, Luca, and Sadie to fly back to the pack the following day, as it was the earliest flight available.
Ryder’s Perspective
Ryder stood at the reception desk, awaiting checkout from the hotel alongside Luca and Sadie. They had enjoyed a late breakfast, as their flight back to Florida was scheduled for lunchtime. Upon noticing the incoming call on his phone, he saw it was Alpha Nathan IMP and answered it, speculating that the man might have already reached her.
“Ryder Wood,” he responded in a manner befitting his surroundings and the humans present.
“Ryder, Nathan Avery,” the man then exhaled with a sigh.
Ryder shut his eyes, sensing that something was amiss. “What is it, Nathan?”
“Brianna escaped,” he murmured.
“Didn’t your Beta utilise a LoJack system for her vehicle?” he enquired, clearly exasperated, having overheard that same discussion himself.
“Affirmative.” Nathan expressed irritation. “I assumed we would allow her to rest for the night. The vehicle remained stationary throughout the night. Upon our arrival this morning to retrieve her, the car was still present, yet Brianna and Logan were absent.”
Ryder exhaled deeply, realising he should have insisted on accompanying her. “Did you not monitor her or at least observe her whereabouts overnight? Did you not assign a guard to her?”
“I did; I must have departed prior to our arrival,” the man huffed. “I share your frustration, Ryder.”
“I am sceptical. That is my son you have lost, and presumably my Mate,” he stated harshly, indifferent to the fact that Sadie was privy to this discussion. Only he and Luca were aware of the child’s existence at this juncture. He had yet to inform his Gamma or Delta. “Do you possess any knowledge of their whereabouts?”
“Negative.”
