Ceased running at a certain juncture and located a place to rest. The small alleyway was shrouded in darkness, illuminated solely by lights at each end. She required no illumination, as she could perceive adequately in the darkness. Collapsed onto the ground and gazed vacantly at the brick wall opposite her.
She hoped Logan would comprehend that she was not abandoning him; she merely needed to escape for one night. She closed her eyes, embraced her legs, rested her head on her knees, and remained in that position. She was unaware of her location, thus they would possess no possibility of determining her whereabouts either.
She anticipated a prolonged night of emotional distress; however, the night was clear and devoid of rain. Thus, there was no necessity to remain seated and drenched throughout the night. She remained seated, utilising her wolf-like hearing to ascertain if anyone was approaching her vicinity. To ascertain whether she was in any form of peril. Alternatively, if they had located her.
It did not appear so; however, during her run, she had not been attentive to anyone trailing her.
Brianna and Layla were already aware that they could outpace everyone, including Ryder himself. She was not especially concerned about them overtaking her, nor had she heard anyone shouting her name. It was improbable that Luca had pursued her. He would have simply resumed his phone call when she failed to respond and navigated through the crowd at a regular pace. They did not run until they were beyond his line of sight. No anomalies are observable.
Layla had repaired her knee prior to their departure from the hotel. It was currently experiencing some discomfort, yet it was not sufficiently bothersome, and it had not hindered her during her run. She turned her head to rest her cheek on her knees and gazed vacantly down the alleyway. She remained seated for an extended period. She raised her head upon observing a group of individuals entering the alley.
She rose independently, seeking to avoid any conflict, even with humans; it was likely inconsequential, merely a group traversing the alley to reach their destination. However, it was likely unwise to be observed alone in a dimly lit alley.
They were probably entirely innocuous. She could perceive their laughter and conversation. There were, however, six of them, and thus she would not take the risk. She pivoted and retraced her steps.
She found herself on a well-lit street, turned, and walked leisurely along it, contemplating that this location was preferable to the alley.
It was indeed destined to be a protracted night; she paused at an unusual aroma, turned her head, and discovered a tall, slender woman across the street gazing directly at her.
She internally sighed upon recognising it was a vampire, and a shiver coursed through her. This was precisely what she required.
Layla’s ears were pressed flat against her head. She disapproved of the woman’s gaze directed towards them.
“Unfavorable,” she contemplated, and Layla concurred. It was probably searching for sustenance. She pivoted and proceeded onwards. Maintained a nonchalant pace, as if indifferent to the woman observing her. However, they could still detect the creature’s scent; it would be incapable of perceiving her essence, potentially creating the impression that she would go unnoticed.
She remained composed, having encountered vampires previously.
Not all of them were malevolent; it could merely be a natural curiosity regarding something she could not perceive by scent. Did not permit fear to dominate her. A vampire would perceive fear with the same ease as she perceives herself. That creature would likely be more attuned to a body’s responses, capable of detecting even a sheen of perspiration.
Internally sighed, recognised it was trailing her half a block later, could still perceive its scent. The creature appreciated her solitary walk. They understood that escape was impossible; even she lacked the velocity to outrun a vampire. Bloodthirsty creatures exhibited remarkable speed, surpassing that of wolves.
She was aware that they were exceedingly difficult to eliminate, typically requiring multiple wolves to subdue a single one.
It is essential to maintain composure, refrain from reacting, and remain tranquil. Arrived at a crosswalk at a traffic signal. She halted and pressed the button, at which point the woman approached her closely, prompting Layla to snarl within her mind. Her lupine instincts indicated that the situation would be unfavourable.
Layla intended to inform the vampire of its nature and the challenges it would face; however, she was aware that no other wolves were present in this country. Understanding her true nature would astonish this woman; however, it is improbable that it would dissuade her if she believed they would constitute a satisfactory meal.
Upon entering the crosswalk as it turned green, she ambled across the street, the vampire maintaining her leisurely tempo. As they ascended the curb, a sharp pain pierced the side of her jaw. The vampire inflicted a wound on her with a fingernail. Layla emerged immediately, growling at her in a low and menacing manner.
She directed her gaze towards the creature, observing it as it sampled their blood. She was indeed attempting to ascertain whether she would be an adequate source of sustenance. She registered the astonishment on her face as she comprehended their true nature; she had evidently not anticipated encountering a werewolf, nor experiencing one, and was likely attempting to ascertain her own identity.
“I presume you are quite distant from your place of origin.”
Brianna remained silent, as her accent would immediately reveal her identity. The vampire possessed a Canadian accent and originated from this locale, suggesting the probable presence of her own pack nearby, likely within Sydney.
“I observe you are entirely solitary.” A smile graced her face, indicating her evident pleasure in the notion of deriving sustenance from her. Brianna harboured no personal animosity towards the vampire, nor the woman she would assume in Sydney, as recognised by the humans. Generally, most wolves and vampires were incompatible. Occasionally, they could, but not universally; it depended on numerous factors.
This situation could unfold in one of two manners: a confrontation, the outcome of which neither she nor Layla could ascertain, as they had never encountered a vampire and lacked any training for such an encounter. Alternatively, a tranquil dialogue.
Choose the alternative option.
“Greetings, I am Brianna Layla,” she introduced herself, hoping the vampire would recognise her name. These beings were enthusiasts of fashion; it is conceivable that she might recognise her identity, “and you are?””
