His gaze shifted from his hand, heated by her touch, directly to her; he realised he had made a significant mistake, losing control of himself, and she was visibly unsettled, evident in her expression and the intensity of her stare.
“I apologise, Brianna,” he stated. He recognised the necessity of his apology and desired to express it. He understood her aversion to physical contact and her unpreparedness for such intimacy. Struggling to articulate her feelings, he ultimately conveyed, “Our bond remains intact, Brianna; I am certain we are Mates.”
“No.” He observed her shake her head and contemplated briefly whether this was the sensation every man experienced in her presence, questioning if this was what Nathan implied regarding the threat.
“I have declined your advances,” she stated softly.
Relief surged within him upon hearing her utter those words; it should have caused him pain, yet it did not, as it affirmed that she was indeed his true Mate, his Goddess-Gifted Mate. Her explicit admission of rejection validated everything.
“I never accepted it,” he stated, and he was sincere. He never had the capacity to do so, as he lacked knowledge of the identity and motives involved. “I will never accept it,” he amended his statement, and he had no intention of doing so. She was his Mate, and their bond remained intact and robust. He could persuade her; he merely required time, of which he had an abundance.
Observed Nolan extend his hand to make contact with her, merely his fingertips. He moved slowly, seemingly attempting to avoid attracting her attention as she gazed at him, his fingertips brushing the edge of her hand. Nolan’s southern drawl was profound and resonant, the most pronounced accent Ryder had ever encountered from the man. He employed all his resources on her, unwilling to risk her escape this time. Observed as the man’s hands seamlessly intertwined with hers while she gazed up at him, he possessed her. Ultimately, his Gamma exerted control over her.
He pulled her into his chest a moment later, appearing relieved to Ryder to finally locate this woman and alleviate her pain and fear. To witness her weep directly against him while he remained motionless.
Ryder and Aiden were significantly affected; they understood the cause of her distress. Due to them, their disrupted Mate Bond. It was probable that she had never permitted anyone to touch her, at any time. Undoubtedly not a wolf, and he comprehended the rationale behind it. She did not believe that everything would be satisfactory.
Felt a tinge of jealousy upon witnessing his mate in the embrace of another man, yet refrained from intervening. She required this moment and was likely forming a bond with Nolan, her true Gamma. Ryder was entirely unsurprised to detect genuine relief in Nolan’s voice.
“At last, I have located you.” The man had sought this woman extensively. Nolan believed he was flawed as a Gamma, and it was probable that, beneath the surface, he feared Brianna would perpetually evade him.
She was profoundly perplexed, acknowledged it, and Nolan intended to escort her back to her room. He likely recognised her overwhelm, yet she appeared to seek clarity regarding her confusion. Nolan gazed down at her, taking a subtle step back while maintaining his hands on her arms, preserving the contact. His voice exhibited a diminished southern drawl, though it remained subtly present. She was composed, or as composed as Nolan required her to be.
He enquired specifically about her points of confusion and observed her gaze shift directly towards him. He remained on the opposite side of the room, with a lounge separating them, as he wished to avoid losing control with her once more. Required to maintain physical boundaries.
He anticipated hearing his name from her lips, but instead, she referred to him simply as “Him.” To elucidate her assertion regarding the absence of feelings of betrayal, she concluded that her rejection was effective, as it likely appeared to her.
She redirected her gaze to him when Nolan suggested that Logan should elucidate the matter himself, as it was preferable for her to receive the information directly from him. He desired to be the one to convey that information to her. He elucidated the matter to her to the best of his ability. He had refrained from engaging with any she-wolves since her departure, as he wished to avoid inflicting further pain and did not want to take the risk, and he had indeed abstained.
She stood gazing at him, attempting to ascertain the veracity of his claims. Although the suffering of the past eight years should be self-evident, particularly now that she recognised their enduring connection.
“It is overwhelming, Brianna,” he informed her, aware that she had already fled from him. Distressed by the sight of Sadie on his arm, he was probably still attempting to ascertain the veracity of that reality. “I apologise for touching you in that manner; I did not intend to lose control.” He gazed at his hand that had rested on her neck, the sensation now absent, and he already longed for it.
