The lift doors opened, and Brianna entered, stating, “I recommend you locate him first, then purchase a dress.” “It should not be the reverse; otherwise, it may appear desperate,” she advised the girl while pressing the button for her floor.
Observed the girl’s mouth agape in an expression of astonishment as she stood frozen, gazing at her while the doors shut behind her. “I cannot seem to find respite,” she murmured to herself as the lift ascended to her floor.
It appears there is an Alpha meeting occurring, which is unfortunate for us; we sought refuge from wolves, only to discover an entire hotel populated by them. On a positive note, they recognised her identity and would refrain from bothering her.
Ryder’s Perspective
Ryder was seated in his office, wearing a profound frown. He was displeased to learn from his Beta, Luca, that the designer Brianna Layla had caused Sadie to cry. She was displeased to learn that the girl had destroyed the image of the gown she had long aspired to wear. Sadie was an exceptionally kind child, never causing harm to anyone, devoid of any malice.
A human designer not only declined to create the dress she envisioned but also destroyed the image she had cherished and preserved for years, anticipating the moment she would be old enough to acquire her own gown.
He consistently informed her that she was too young. Now that she had reached the age of 18, she anticipated finding her Mate and desired that dress, a wish she had consistently maintained for the past four years without alteration.
Megan, her elder sister, donned a dress labelled Brianna when she discovered her Mate. It appears these dresses were previously available in one of the pack’s stores before Brianna Layla gained fame and subsequently rebranded simply as Brianna, now exclusively producing wedding dresses.
Brianna Layla exhibited rudeness and displayed no intimidation towards Luca; she firmly maintained her position, arching an eyebrow at his imposing aura. She remained unfazed when Steel, Luca’s wolf, attempted to intimidate her into conceding the dress Sadie desired.
“It is peculiar, Ryder; I was unable to detect any scent from her, not even that of a human.” Luca remarked, “I doubt she is human; most individuals would have cowered in fear under Steel’s gaze, unlike this woman.”
“What is your assessment of her?””
“Nothing, for all intents and purposes, appears human,” Luca responded.
“However, she is not?”Ryder’s frown intensified further.
I am sceptical, yet it is irrelevant what she is. Her fragrance is entirely concealed, I would assert.
“Remain there; I will emerge and address the woman personally.” If Sadie desires that dress, she will possess it. Has been envisioning that dress for several years.
“Ryder, Nolan also detected something unusual about her,” he heard his Beta exhale.
“What would that be?”“Rely on his Gamma to assess the woman.”
Upon exiting the store, she glared at each of us sequentially, rolled her eyes, and then proceeded to walk down the street with determination. I was compelled to refrain from instilling fear in the woman.
Nolan, in other words, halted you!Ryder shook his head; it was probably the sole action that would deter him. A concern from Gamma: “Have you examined each of you?””
“Affirmative, directly at each individual.”
“Do you believe she is aware of your true nature?””
“Probable.” Developed an immediate aversion to both Layla and myself.
“I suppose we will ascertain the outcome when I visit that woman; I may evoke tears from her, as she did with Sadie,” he murmured.
Luca was likely correct in his assumption that she was not human, as he seldom erred in his instincts. The indifference of his wolf towards the woman further substantiated this conclusion.
Ryder rose from his desk and proceeded to Grace’s boutique, entering the store and observing Grace smile at him. “Alpha, how may I assist you?”She enquired immediately.
“Sadie is experiencing difficulty obtaining the dress she desires,” he informed her.
“Ah yes,” Grace affirmed, “the Brianna Sadie gown!” Sadie entered and enquired if I could arrange for it to be ordered on her behalf. Unfortunately, Alpha, it is no longer in production.
“No longer in production?”He enquired out of curiosity.
The woman I spoke with indicated that it is currently out of season, that only one was ever produced as a display gown, no orders were accepted, and it has been removed from the catalogue.
That did not seem accurate to him. “Have you ever encountered this Brianna Layla individual prior to her becoming prominent?”He sought to ascertain the woman’s background.
Grace arched an eyebrow at him. “Yes,” she affirmed, frowning and shaking her head, appearing somewhat perplexed by his inquiry. “I stocked her dresses in this store for approximately three and a half years, and then suddenly, they were gone—no more.”
“How would you describe the woman?”He enquired directly, “I must confront her personally.”
“Silence.”
“Is that all?””
“Indeed, that is correct,” Grace affirmed. “He never communicated much with me.”
Ryder exited the store as frustrated as he had entered, returned to his office, and searched for the woman online. The only result was her company, Brianna Layla Designs, accompanied by a photograph of several women outside a store. He could not ascertain which one she was based on the information available. She engaged in considerable travel and participated in bridal fashion shows, operated three stores, and her company page indicated a forthcoming plan for her inaugural international store opening.
Received favourable evaluations from affluent clients, predominantly individuals. He observed that certain names had an archaic or ancient quality, leading him to contemplate that some may not be human at all.
This woman may have possessed knowledge of otherworldly beings, rendering her less susceptible to fear. I searched for information about her, but only limited details emerged from six years ago, indicating she achieved success with her first store in Colorado, which had been operational for a year and a half prior to her rise to prominence. That is the location where he was aware Sadie and his unit were situated. If this woman was accustomed to interacting with wolves, vampires, and other entities, it is probable that her scent was obscured to prevent them from tracing her to her domicile, serving as a precautionary measure.
He exhaled deeply and booked a flight with Wolf Airlines, completed all requisite documentation to pledge against initiating a midair altercation with a rival pack, as mandated by the wolfen council, and subsequently packed a suitcase.
