Observed the boy smile, then he exclaimed, “Dad?”“. Nolan and Ryder were en route to the commencement point when Ryder turned to the boy, smiling. He evidently appreciated Logan referring to him as dad. “Affirmative, son,” he responded promptly.
“No assistance from wolves.”
Saw Ryder’s gaze shift towards her; she remained unaccustomed to his ability to meet her eyes directly. Despite having engaged in it for some time, he still found it peculiar to gaze at her with intent. He understood that Logan’s statements were entirely her conception.
Carlos erupted in laughter, indicating his understanding. The match was equitable now. Let us ascertain who exhibited superior agility. Carlos was now capable of defeating his Alpha.
“Count it down, Logan,” Ryder instructed as they reached the starting line.
The boy loudly called out, counting backward from five, and then shouted, “Go Nolan.”
Observed Ryder nearly falter at the starting line upon the realisation that his own son would be supporting the Gamma rather than him. Brianna found it amusing, as did Stella. She distinctly perceived Layla’s snort of amusement within her consciousness.
The two appeared evenly matched in the absence of wolves. Brianna placed Logan onto Stella’s lap when they were approximately one-third through the course, then stood up, walked over, and activated the sprinklers to increase the difficulty. Noticing both of them glance in her direction, she tipped an imaginary hat to them before returning to her seat. The final segment of that course involved an army crawl beneath bamboo rods, and it will now be a mud pit upon their arrival.
Layla appeared to chortle internally, indicating her complete amusement.
“Mother?”Logan enquired, gazing at her.
“This is more intriguing,” she remarked with a smile directed at him.
“Will I have the opportunity to do this at some point?””
“It is probable, yet there are regulations regarding the permissible age; you are not sufficiently mature at this juncture,” she informed him, and he was not.
“Must I wait until I am ten?”He appeared exceedingly discontented.
“Thirteen, in fact,” she informed him.
“What?” However, you stated that you were 10 years old.
“Indeed, I lacked anyone to dissuade me,” she remarked with a shrug, and she did not.
I overheard him murmur that it was unjust, and I observed Stella embrace him. She could probably help him escape and accompany him, but how would Ryder react upon discovering this?
“Wait until he departs for a meeting,” Layla interjected.
Brianna concurred, “Mm, that could be effective.”
Observed as the two traversed the one-hundred-foot-long crawl through the mud, beneath the bamboo rods, a constricted passage for both, particularly challenging for the females. Their diminutive physiques were better adapted to this segment of the course, enabling the woman to catch up and surpass several male warriors. She experienced no difficulties with it and was merely petite in stature.
Logan was now standing, shouting for Nolan to relocate his posterior. Stella rose and lifted the boy, and they both applauded Nolan’s victory. Observed Ryder emerge initially, albeit marginally. Nolan was laughing uncontrollably when he exited. Despite his defeat, he appeared thoroughly entertained by the enthusiastic applause he received.
Ryder shook his head and then pushed the man back into the mud. As he stood up, Brianna bit her lip, clearly amused. “You should have allowed Logan to handle it,” she remarked.
“Is he unaware of whom he is meant to support?””
Ryder enquired as he approached her. They were positioned at the finish line, where both she and Ryder observed Carlos rise from the mud once again, gesturing with his soiled hands towards Stella and Logan before feigning an action at them. The two departed hand in hand, laughing, while Carlos pursued them moments later.
Brianna and Layla laughed as Carlos approached, smeared mud on both of them, then effortlessly lifted them under each arm, carried them back to the mud pit, and playfully threw them in, laughing heartily.
“He does, however…” Brianna glanced at Ryder, who was entirely covered in mud, “You would not permit him on the course.” She shrugged.
Observed the man exhale forcefully and shake his head. “The irrigation systems?” Did you believe that would be amusing?”
“Perhaps,” she acknowledged with a nod.
“I ought to throw you into the mud,” Ryder remarked, scrutinising her as if he were genuinely contemplating the action.
Brianna arched an eyebrow at him. I would likely refrain from doing so if I were in your position.
“Hmm.”
“You did not surpass my time, just for your information.”
Ryder’s Perspective
Ryder was pleased that Logan permitted him to transport him to the training grounds. A substantial enclosed space was designated for hand-to-hand combat training, which he also utilised for his wolf-on-wolf training. An outdoor Olympic swimming pool was designated for endurance training, requiring the completion of 50 uninterrupted laps.
It proved challenging for some, while others embraced it enthusiastically. There existed a running oval where sprints and long-distance races were conducted for the unfulfilled wolves. Once your wolf was operational, training was conducted in the woods on one of four designated tracks.
He and Aiden were elated that Brianna had afforded them the opportunity to connect with Logan, and recognised her efforts. Brianna informed him that it was not her responsibility to assist in establishing a connection with his son, yet she was actively promoting his engagement with Ryder.
Ryder meticulously elucidated the course’s operation to Logan, eager to connect with the boy, and willingly paused his explanation to address any enquiries before resuming.
I was appalled to learn that Brianna had been utilising this course since the age of 10, and it appeared that Nolan shared a similar sentiment. He desired to enquire about the various methods she employed to achieve that without detection, yet he sensed he would not appreciate the response, so he refrained from asking for the time being.
