Nathan presented her as Annabella Dieng, his great-grandmother, asserting that she was also Brianna’s great-grandmother. He observed no resemblance to Brianna whatsoever; however, given the generational gap, he deemed it unsurprising.
Ryder conveyed that, to his knowledge, Brianna’s encounter with either of them was unlikely to proceed favourably. Brianna had already conveyed to him her indifference towards a family that had forsaken her.
This prompted him to enquire.
Why did none of them arrive for the girl following her mother’s death? That was what his father believed had occurred.
Annabella sighed softly and shook her head in sorrow, stating, “Her biological grandmother, Anna’s mother Ophelia, who would have mourned Anna’s demise, passed away prior to Anna.” Consequently, no individual in the group was aware of any issues at that moment.
Ryder focused on Nathan. “Why did you not enquire about them?” As the current Alpha, you must have been aware of Anna and Brianna’s presence. Did you not, during our time together in this pack or during my visit to yours, consider enquiring about your aunt or cousin?”
“Our family is quite extensive.” I have numerous cousins, yet I have never met Brianna. Anna arrived here well in advance of my assumption of responsibility.
“Shouldn’t someone have inquired?”His gaze returned to Annabella. “Wasn’t Brianna supposed to be presented to the elders for an explanation of her identity prior to acquiring her wolf?” I assert that this aligns with the provisions of the Contract.
The woman sighed once more, stating, “Yes, but Anna was aware of what they were; she was fully capable of elucidating this to her own child.” “Indeed, we share responsibility,” the woman acknowledged. “When may I see her?””
“Only when she desires to, and not prior,” Ryder asserted bluntly.
“Ryder, you anticipated this outcome,” Nathan stated, his expression marked by a profound frown. It is advisable not to postpone it. To ascertain whether she is your Mate.
“She is my Mate, and our Bond remains unbroken,” Ryder conveyed to him.
“What is the basis of your knowledge?”Annabella appeared inquisitive at this moment.
In summary, I made contact with her, and she perceived it. Astounded her profoundly.
“Your wolf will not simply accept her assertion, Ryder,” Nathan remarked, rolling his eyes. “No wolf shall.”
“Indeed, he was.” However, I would like to inform you that we have already perfumed her. I am perplexed by your method; however, when she was assaulted by the vampire, we detected her blood, and Aiden immediately identified her as his mate.” He sighed at this point. “Regrettably, Aiden has already claimed her. Designated her.
“Regrettably?”It was Annabella, “Do you not desire her?”She was frowning directly at him, sounding nearly disapproving.
“Ryder stated that both he and Aiden desire her.”
Regrettably, she remained unconscious due to her injuries. He shrugged, stating, “I have not yet conversed with her regarding the incident, as she has been unconscious since it occurred and has only recently regained consciousness.”
“Thus, you have identified and designated her.” Annabella nodded, appearing considerably more content with that information. “If she consents to you.” You must comprehend our organisation, Dieng’s.
“I understand that the pendant conceals her scent, correct?” His gaze shifted to Nathan. He had observed this individual in both human and lupine forms, yet had never witnessed him don a pendant.
Nathan appeared to comprehend and raised his right hand, revealing the ring on his index finger, which contained a blue gemstone. “Ring for men,” he declared succinctly.
“What is the necessity?””
“Not devoid of scent, but rather highly aromatic to every unmated male wolf, whether within your pack or outside of it,” Annabella informed him.
“What?”He scowled, perplexed, yet he already disapproved of the implication. Annabella exhaled deeply. “If I were to remove my pendant, you would desire to mate with me immediately,” she stated, gazing directly at him. “You are not Marked, so you would be influenced.” Only Marked and Mated wolves possess the ability to withstand the scent. We constantly emit an odour indicative of oestrus.
Ryder gazed at her, utterly appalled by this revelation. All the thoughts that abruptly surged within his mind. His gaze shifted to her neck; she bore a Mark, indicating she had a Mate. It appeared that the pendant still needed to be worn even after being Marked and Mated.
He now comprehended the clause in the contract, which elucidated why his father had instructed him not to allow her to remove that pendant in his presence; only Enzo was designated as Marked and Mate. The full gravity of her situation, of which she was entirely unaware.
His gaze returned to the pendant worn by Annabella.
“Will she consistently emit that scent?”He did not desire that for her; it was dreadful—one misstep and she could be attacked by all his unmated wolves.
“Indeed,” Annabella affirmed. “She must be informed of this to comprehend the consequences of removing that pendant.”
“I doubt she will; it belonged to her mother and, as far as we know, she donned it at merely 10 and then inexplicably disappeared from our lives.”
Nathan exhaled a sigh at this moment. “We in the Ice Moon Pack are accustomed to Dieng’s.” Most females mate with others in the pack, whether gifted or selected, thus it is not a significant concern. We are conditioned from the acquisition of our wolves to refrain from utilising our lupine senses within the pack unless absolutely essential, or in interactions with other packs.
