Felt Layla recoil abruptly, whimpering in agony, at the contact of her own Mate. As Ryder restrained her against him, his hand rested gently on her neck and jaw; though not constrictive or aggressive, she recognised his intent to soothe her through his touch.
“Silence…” “I have you, Brianna,” his voice was gentle, whispering close to her ear, his lips grazing the outer skin of her ear.
She sensed her heart racing within her chest. “Stop it,” she gasped as she felt his arm constrict around her, his hand gliding slowly down her neck. The electric sensations of their Mate Bond coursed through her with every movement of his hand. She attempted to pry his hands away, but they tightened further. “Let me go.”
“I will not relinquish,” he stated, his voice suddenly deepening. “Goddess Brianna,” he said, his voice suddenly coarse. “You feel incredibly alluring.” His lips grazed her neck, and a surge of panic coursed through her. She could not endure this once more.
“Ryder,” she heard Carlos exclaim abruptly, detecting the urgency in his tone, prompting Ryder to release her and retreat.
Brianna stumbled away from him, her gaze shifting towards him as he examined his hand—the one that had been on her neck—before his eyes returned to her. “I’m sorry, Brianna, I…” I cannot touch you; our bond remains intact, Brianna. We are Mate. I am aware of it.
“No,” she shook her head; it was implausible. “I rejected you.”
“I never accepted it,” Ryder stated, gazing directly at her. “I shall never acquiesce to it.”
Her eyes widened at his assertion; she sensed Carlos’s aura enveloping her, as he had not ceased to exert it. She glanced to locate the man, who was positioned nearby, his fingers making a delicate, feather-like contact against the side of her hand, skin against skin.
“Shh, concentrate on me, Brianna, solely on me…nothing else…” His deep southern drawl indicated he was exerting all his effort, utilising every ounce of his Goddess-given Gamma charm on her. She shook her head; even as a rogue, he seemed capable of drawing her in. She resisted, feeling his fingers glide across the back of her hand. “Listen to me, Brianna…calm down, dear…you know you desire this.” She stood there, gazing into his eyes, internally battling against him and that insidious charm, yet simultaneously captivated, unable to look away or step back. He was too strong. He felt his arm encircle her, subsequently drawing her softly against his chest. “Silence… I have captured you.” All will be well.
“No, it is not,” she whispered in response, “It never was,” and a sob escaped her. She understood it would not be acceptable, irrespective of his assurances or the solace he attempted to provide, it would never be satisfactory. She was condemned to endure a life of anguish and torment. However, she had never experienced comfort from another before, and it was pleasant to receive it at this moment. I anticipated its brevity; nothing endures.
She permitted herself to remain there, absorbing his comfort, unable to remember the last occasion someone embraced her in such a manner. Uncertain of the duration of her weeping, she remained stationary until he softly murmured, “Finally, I can find you.”
“I do not comprehend.”
“I am aware that there is much occurring.” I will escort you to your room. We can converse tomorrow. All individuals. Ryder, you, and I will all sit down together.
Brianna was uncertain about her thoughts. She had spurned Ryder and experienced no pangs of betrayal since that day; how was this possible after eight years? “I do not comprehend,” she whispered.
“What is it that you do not comprehend precisely?”Carlos enquired. His hands remained on her arms; the man appeared to understand the necessity of not releasing her. A subtle drawl persisted in his voice.
She scowled at him, then shifted her gaze to Ryder, who stood across the room observing them; she recognised that his focus was not on his Gamma, but solely on her. As far as she remembered, he had not uttered a single word since Carlos had touched her. “Him,” she asserted.
“Do you not comprehend, Ryder?”He interrogated her as if he no longer comprehended her.
Brianna negated with a shake of her head. No discomfort during the entire duration of my absence. “I am aware it was effective due to that,” she said, gazing at Carlos.
“Logan, could you elucidate that to Brianna?”
Her gaze returned to him, while her hand instinctively grasped Carlos’s arm; she was uncertain if she truly wished to hear Ryder’s words, if she were to be honest with herself.
“Upon discovering the events, Brianna.” I have not engaged with another. Not a single instance…in the event that it caused you pain, I may have been unaware of your identity or the reasons for your rejection, yet I was uncertain whether the rejection was absolute or not. I inherently understood that I would not acquiesce to it. Could not do so without understanding your identity or the reason behind it? I have refrained from engaging with another she-wolf during this period, concerned it might cause you pain, which I wished to avoid.
Brianna gazed at him, uncertain of her belief in his words. His touch had remained unchanged since her departure, and she had endured considerable anguish. She was aware that their bond had been palpable when he was involved with another, and being several states apart would not have alleviated the pangs of betrayal, as it had never done when he was outside the pack previously.
