“I will now transmit the Dieng laws for Brianna to review.” Young man, you may wish to conduct yourself appropriately. I have just heard you assert ownership over a Dieng woman, Alpha Ryder. “Being mated to a Dieng entails that those regulations now pertain to you as well.” The woman laughed heartily and then departed from the group, her step buoyant.
Brianna smiled and contemplated the nature of those laws, then turned to gaze directly at Ryder. He frowned after Annabella, then shifted his gaze to hers, prompting her to contemplate whether any of his actions regarding her would trigger one of the Dieng laws.
“Cease this.” He declared, gazing down at her.
“What?”She enquired in return, yet she was unable to conceal the amusement in her own voice.
“Contemplating methods to degrade me.”
“I did not utter a word.” Brianna slowly shook her head and pressed her lips together in an attempt to suppress her smile.
No! Your appearance conveys everything. You will if the opportunity arises.
Brianna snorted, and Layla was thoroughly entertained. She acquiesced, acknowledging his correctness. Indeed, she would.
“It could be quite enjoyable,” Layla interjected.
Brianna acknowledged her wolf, affirming its potential.
“You may wish to release me now,” she informed him.
He exhaled sharply in her direction but ultimately released her. She turned and proceeded to the lift, entered with Logan, glanced back at Ryder, who continued to gaze at her, appearing displeased with her acknowledgement.
“Father appears displeased,” Logan remarked after the doors shut.
“He is not angry; he is merely irritated.” “Do not concern yourself; I anticipate it will eventually be amusing for both you and me,” she mused, considering it could indeed be quite humorous for them, particularly for her, but not for Ryder.
Ryder’s Perspective
Ryder was taken aback when Rowan intervened by positioning himself in front of his mother and placing a hand on her to shield her from view. It was a distinctly dominant action. Nathan approached them with apparent intent. Rowan evidently perceived it as a menace to his mother.
Ryder had not anticipated that Stella’s wolf Fade would emerge at the mere sight of Alpha Nathan approaching Brianna and Logan; however, she likely reacted to her own Alpha’s escalation of the situation.
Nathan’s dismissive attitude towards Rowan’s presence on the surface suggested a lack of concern for the potential danger posed by the boy’s wolf emerging uncontrollably.
Ryder understood that they all concurred in their effort to contain the boys’ inner wolf for as long as feasible, including Stella and Fade, or so he presumed. She could have immersed herself to prevent her Alpha from acting thus. She was exceedingly protective.
The sight of the large white wolf, with its dense, elongated fur resembling a double coat, astonished him entirely, particularly its diminutive ears. He had never encountered anything akin to them in his life. Although he had studied wolves and noted that their small, fur-covered ears were characteristic of Tundra Wolves, he was uncertain, as he had never personally encountered one. Her excessively long claws, which appeared lethal to him, were at least double the length of any he had previously encountered. There was no possibility of retraction, that was certain. Even in human form, those claws would appear elongated and intimidating.
Probably intimidate anyone attempting to engage her in a physical confrontation.
Her teeth were exposed, with drool cascading in elongated, viscous streams, and the resounding growl emanating from her was a manifestation of unadulterated rogue aggression. He had already heard that sound with Layla, and it appeared Nathan recognised it as well. The man had halted entirely as he observed the wolf now safeguarding Brianna.
Annabella, however, exhibited no fear; rather, she appeared genuinely exhilarated and delighted to behold Fade. She approached closely after sending Nathan away; the man complied, although Ryder noted that both appeared to understand Fade’s nature, with Nathan evidently unwilling to confront him. Conveyed significant meaning to Ryder.
Annabella exhibited no trepidation whatsoever, and the two even touched heads as relatives might, providing Fade with a thorough scratch behind her diminutive ears, which elicited a sudden display of happiness and purring from Fade. With the threat eliminated, she felt at ease.
Nolan’s response to Stella’s wolf indicated that he was exceedingly pleased, likely reflecting Oscar’s emotions as well. He observed their eyes flickering while they conversed, or perhaps Nolan was merely attempting to restrain Oscar from emerging to assert his claim over his Mate.
She was indeed a strikingly beautiful wolf, although he found it somewhat challenging to gaze upon her in the late afternoon sunlight.
Her fur exhibited an exceptional brilliance, reflecting sunlight and creating a glare.
Her wolf exhibited no trace of any colour other than white, including its nose. Nolan was correct regarding the striking blue of Fade’s eyes; they were a vivid cyan blue, almost luminescent.
