If she were to conceive a child, it would join the Hot Moon Pack to confer with the Dieng elders.
All children shall retain the Dieng name until their wolf manifests; if the wolf’s eyes are not white, the child may assume the father’s name. Should the wolf’s eyes be white, it must be reported to the Hot Moon Pack for the purpose of documenting bloodline lineage.
It further asserted that should Anna or any offspring she bore be harmed or killed by the pack as a result of multiple males assaulting them, it would precipitate an all-out war. The male wolves implicated would face execution, and the incumbent Alpha would bear full accountability for their demise. He would be compelled to engage in a death duel with the reigning Alpha of the Hot Moon Pack or one of the Dieng elders.
The agreement included an image of the pendant for reference, although he had not observed it on Brianna; it was a long, pale blue pendulum-style pendant. His father’s signature appeared at the bottom of the document.
Ryder exhaled in frustration; something was undoubtedly amiss that he was unaware of, and he ought to be concerned given the repercussions rested squarely on him. His father had never presented this document to him, nor had he ever alluded to it. Ryder was exceedingly irritated. He handed it to Luca for his perusal. He had not been mistaken regarding that pendant.
Ryder had not observed her pendant; however, a chain adorned her neck. He could only infer from his father’s remarks that Brianna had probably retrieved it from her deceased mother and now wore it, presumably always had.
The document implied that if Anna or Brianna refrained from wearing the specified pendant, numerous male wolves in his Pack would become hostile towards them. Nathan had referenced the term r**e, which was also included in the document. He was increasingly uncomfortable with the direction this was taking.
Nathan had remarked that female Diengs had a short lifespan, sounding genuinely sorrowful. He also enquired about the conception of their child and directly informed him that if Brianna claimed it was r**e, he would challenge him to a death duel as Alpha.
This situation was ominous; Brianna’s lineage appeared to place her in peril, and she was likely oblivious to it. The pendant she possessed was undoubtedly a protective talisman, and Ryder fervently hoped she would never remove it, as it was essential for her survival. However, he was equally convinced that the pendant also obstructed his ability to detect her scent. How were they to resolve this dilemma? He could not simply remove it, that was certain.
Additional information was required. It was probable that she would have to present her case to Nathan and the Dieng elders, a course of action she appeared reluctant to undertake, based on all accounts. She had fled from Nathan but had not evaded Ryder; rather, she had merely circumvented him, which was noteworthy in itself.
Stella’s Perspective
Stella was dancing on the ballroom floor of their family estate in Denver. Her sister Valeria appeared exceedingly joyful as she was twirled by her new husband, Maddox. They had met two years prior at a friend’s engagement party and had been together ever since. Maddox proposed a year after their initial meeting, and they are now married. Valeria is fortunate, being only 24 years old.
Stella was still in search of Mr. Right. She was acquainted with most individuals in the room and was familiar with nearly all the single men present. None of them met her criteria for Mr. Right.
Consumed her fifth or sixth glass of champagne.
She was one of six children, comprising four sisters and Valeria. One sister was already married, two were set to marry within the next twelve months, and one, like her, was still seeking Mr. Right. She had no brothers, which continued to vex her father.
He was exceedingly traditional, desiring to bequeath his business to a son, a male successor, rather than a daughter.
Her sister Juliette, the eldest and also unmarried, had obtained her business degree and had collaborated with their father for nearly 15 years. She was next in line to assume control; however, their father, a notably obstinate man, refused to cede authority to her until she married someone he deemed appropriate to inherit the company, not her, but her spouse.
Juliette exerted considerable effort to achieve her position within the family business, having ascended from the foundational level. Her father exhibited no favouritism and remained dissatisfied that she was not wed to a man of his preference.
At this juncture, Juliette was unequivocally rejecting his demands and was fully competent to assume control of the company.
Stella had disappointed her father by relocating across the country, distancing herself from the man he desired for her to marry, who was present at the wedding that evening. He was one of her father’s junior business partners, and had she wed him, he would likely have inherited the family business.
He had approached her twice, abandoning his date at the table to do so. He requested a dance, smiling at her, believing his attractiveness would persuade her to overlook his actions. She rejected him on both occasions.
This attention had not escaped her sister Juliette, who approached her and enquired directly, “You’re not considering reconciling with him, are you?”
