She had wept on the back steps for hours, having already endured a year of solitude, and then that occurred. Refused to discuss it, under any circumstances. She suppressed the anguish that was consuming her chest as deeply as possible before responding, “I returned home from school and everything was simply gone.” Her tone was nearly devoid of emotion. Brianna sensed his gaze upon her. Brianna declared, “I do not wish to discuss it,” preempting any further enquiries she anticipated he would make. He wished to keep Logan away to prevent the boy from learning about her life within the pack.
Escorted him through the pack-house and into the laundry room. The hour was silent and dim. All the lights were extinguished, as the omegas had departed for the day. Brianna proactively activated the light switch prior to his action. Noted his uncertainty regarding their location.
Aside from the enhancements to the equipment and workstations, as well as a fresh coat of paint, the location remained unchanged since her previous visit. I heard him sigh and looked up at him, offering a half-smile. “You have never been in here, have you?””
“No, not really,” Ryder replied, shaking his head.
I previously conducted all my laundry late at night in this location when everyone had departed.
“How did you acquire clothing as you matured?”One could discern the melancholy in that statement; it appeared as though he was reluctant to seek knowledge.
Brianna contemplated whether it was the Alpha within him that compelled him to seek answers or his instinct as her Mate to comprehend her upbringing within the pack, of which he had previously been unaware.
“Lost property or the clothing donation receptacles,” she indicated to him. “There was consistently an abundance of clothing available.” Ranked members discard numerous items of clothing, many of which are scarcely worn.” She shrugged, “and school uniforms.” She gestured towards an entire section of open display racks where unused uniforms were neatly arranged on hangers, “quite simple.”
“I apologise, Brianna.”
“You repeatedly assert that it was not your fault; please refrain from apologising.”
“The pack is to blame, Brianna, for your loss.”
“Based on my current comprehension of the matter.” “No, you did not; my mother’s pendant concealed me.”
“Nevertheless, my father ought to have been more diligent; he was aware that Anna had a daughter, you.” “He did not conduct a proper search for you,” he huffed, sounding irritated. “You should have been located and returned to your mother’s people as stipulated in the contract.”
“It is probable that we would not have encountered each other then,” Brianna remarked with a frown.
“Indeed, we would have, and none of this would have transpired for either of us.” We would have been together in a meaningful way. Annabella would have likely instructed you at the age of 10, and during the first mating ball of the Ice Moon Pack that I attended after your 18th birthday, you would have detected my scent and allowed me to reciprocate.
Brianna gazed up at him, having never contemplated that before. Her life did not unfold as anticipated, and she never permitted herself to contemplate the possibilities of “what if.” The game was excruciating to participate in. Acquired that knowledge through difficult experience.
“I would have claimed you instantaneously, Brianna.” His hand gently caressed her face as he gazed down at her.
She turned away from him and walked off, unprepared for the unsettling sensation in the pit of her stomach, suspecting he might desire to kiss her, though uncertain, she swiftly distanced herself from the situation.
Additionally, I preferred not to contemplate the potential trajectories of their lives.
His hand remained clasped in hers, seemingly unwilling to release it. As she walked away, he was drawn along for a few steps before he fell back into stride beside her.
Brianna exited through the rear door of the laundry room into a lengthy, dim corridor and activated several wall switches, illuminating the basement.
Proceeding down the corridor, numerous rooms filled with stored items were observed, along with several additional corridors leading to other storage areas. She traversed the corridor in silence, with neither party uttering a word.
It appeared that nothing in this location had altered whatsoever, not even a coat of paint or any renovations. It was precisely as it had been during her residence here.
Ceased movement and positioned oneself before a sealed door in the most remote corner of the pack-house. Brianna instructed him, “In there.”
A series of omega stairs was situated behind them, ascending to the western section of the pack-house adjacent to the library. At the corridor’s terminus, a broad staircase led to expansive double doors and the exterior, raising questions about how everything was transported into this space.
Ryder observed the door frame, which had remained unpainted during her absence; her initials were carved into the frame near the door handle. PHW undertook that action subsequent to Layla’s arrival. She observed him pivot and gaze at her. She remained silent. Numerous additional instances of those existed within the pack; he had observed the ones in the cabin, and she could infer that there were significantly more than he likely wished to acknowledge. Particularly given that it appeared to distress him, it seemed to inflict pain upon him.
“What was contained within this location?”Ryder finally enquired, his voice subdued, as he opened the door, presumably not wishing to remain inside either. As he opened the door, she observed that the room was devoid of occupants. “It is where I discovered my family’s belongings, therefore.. It is where I presumably belonged.
I observed the anguish in his eyes regarding that matter, yet there was nothing that could be done at this point.
I observed him enter the room, briefly looked inside but did not enter; it was evident that the room had never been freshly painted from my vantage point, and he activated the light.
Observed him traverse the confined space. It was a standard storage room, measuring twelve by sixteen feet. Observed as he discovered the numerous instances of her inscriptions on the walls. Brianna Dieng resided here prior to Layla’s arrival, and subsequently, Brianna Layla Dieng inhabited this place after acquiring her wolf. It permeated the entire room. A few were inscribed into the plaster using Layla’s claws with pencil, pen, and texters.
Noticed his eyes fixed on her, brimming with anguish and sorrow, before he exited the room and embraced her tightly. “I deeply apologise, Brianna,” he murmured. “I shall never lose you again.”
She blinked in astonishment at his words, which were also imbued with anguish.
He appeared to comprehend that she had inscribed those words, yearning for acknowledgement internally, throughout her time in the pack; her entire existence sought recognition from her pack. Join the group.
Arrange for someone to attend to her needs.
