The skin in that area was lacerated; the creature had bitten forcefully, appearing to have removed some of the epidermis while dragging its fangs down her skin as it retreated. She believed she had a lasting reminder, an immutable fact, characterised by two puncture marks and slightly torn skin beneath, which might fade over time; who could say.
Her gaze shifted to the opposite side of her neck, where Aiden had marked her. Silver filigree embellished the curve of her neck; she had no recollection of how it felt or of acquiring it. It appeared to consist of interwoven swirls, although she discerned what resembled the Pack Symbol within, and dismissed it.
That was absurd, yet I scowled and examined it more closely in the mirror. A moon-like shape appeared, delineated by a slender silver swirl that connected to a filled silver swirl, resembling the lake in the pack symbol, she conjectured.
Avowedly averted from the mirror, relinquish it. This location lacked a kitchen or kitchenette, and there were no coffee-making amenities available. This suite lacked food and snacks, prompting a frown followed by a sigh. Understood the reason, necessitating their descent to dine in the pack-house dining room. There will be no sequestering in this room. Although she could undoubtedly request items to be delivered to the room, she was sceptical that anyone would refuse her. Not bearing Ryder’s Mark.
She felt hunger, turned to survey the room, and noted the absence of a phone to contact the kitchen. She exhaled in frustration and reminded herself that she was no longer in the human realm, where wolves in packs did not require telephones. They utilised their mind-link ability to communicate with anyone they desired and procure items for their room.
That was not feasible. She was not affiliated with this pack and therefore had no means to communicate with anyone at that moment. Although she had not sworn allegiance and he may have Marked her, she remained classified as a rogue until she and Layla either pledged loyalty to him or reciprocated the Mark, she surmised. I was not fully informed.
“Mother?””
Her gaze shifted to the boy; she had not noticed him exit the bath. Engrossed in her own thoughts, which was unwise given his presence in the bath, she would need to restrain that tendency. “Apologies, Logan, what was your inquiry?””
“You were simply distracted, that’s all.”
“I am somewhat fatigued,” Brianna candidly informed him. “Please go and get dressed.”
“Do you believe that television offers the same range of channels as those available in a hospital?””
She nodded in affirmation.
“There is no PS5, mother.”
She gazed at him, uncertain of what had been packed and transported here. Your belongings may be in a suitcase. “Please dress yourself first,” she remarked as he approached the open walk-in closet.
He sulked at her, saying, “Then arrange it if it exists.” She shook her head and replied, “On the positive side, Logan, your friends will be awake to engage with you more from this point onward.”
“Oh, I neglected to remember that,” he smiled. She understood that this would bring him joy; he had gone to get dressed and then observed him pull a suitcase from the walk-in and open it. “Excellent, everything is present.” He began to extract it for setup when a knock sounded at the door.
She observed him rush to answer the call, as she was too fatigued to engage, likely anticipating it would be one of three individuals. She internally sighed, quickly acclimating to her surroundings. He had expressed a desire to understand the dynamics of a pack and had invited her to dine with Ryder.
It took merely one day for him to feel at ease here; he observed the boy smile up at his father, who reciprocated with a smile, indicating his satisfaction with the boy’s response to him. What reason would there be for him not to be?
“Hello, father.”
“Hello, son. What are you currently engaged in?” “I considered…” his gaze shifted to Brianna, “We could explore and provide you with a tour of the pack-house.”
“Mother, may I?”Brand gazed at her, appearing exhilarated.
Brianna nodded in agreement but remained seated on the couch. Observed Ryder immediately frown at her.
“I am indeed fatigued,” she replied before he could make a remark about desiring her departure as well.
She discerned from his frown that this was his intended statement. He employed the term ‘we’ and directed his gaze towards her.
“Very well, it can be postponed until tomorrow.” He nodded. “Dr. Daniel did inform me that you might be somewhat fatigued for a day or two.” He observed him enter the room and glance down at Logan. “Are you able to wait until your mother recuperates?”
“Indeed, I was planning to configure my PS5 regardless.”
“Proceed with that,” he ruffled the boy’s hair.
“There is no food in here…Ryder,” she remarked, finding it peculiar to address him by name for the first time directly. She slightly shook her head; she would have to begin utilising it eventually, particularly if Logan intended to be present consistently, which certainly appeared to be the case.
His gaze was fixed on her, and he noted that this was the first instance she had addressed him by his actual name. “I understand,” he remarked, surveying the surroundings, “this suite is not optimally arranged for our circumstances; I will have some items delivered.” What are your and Logan’s preferences?He positioned himself on the couch.
“If T possessed a phone in the kitchen, I could obtain anything I desire whenever either Logan or I am hungry.”
He reclined into the corner of the opposite end of the couch and gazed directly at her, stating, “Allow me to reintegrate you into the pack, enabling you to mind-link with anyone you desire and order food at your discretion.”
