Although he had not expressed remorse for the kiss in the basement, and was resolute in his decision not to do so, she reciprocated the kiss, sighed gently, and leaned into him. Layla had not made any effort to prevent it.
Brianna was aware that Layla desired her Mate. It was a desire they had both harboured for an extended period, and she still did, if she were entirely candid with herself. She is not yet prepared to publicly acknowledge him; Layla appeared content to wait for her, and they would proceed when they deemed the moment appropriate.
She was uncertain about how to manage the situation, as it was unfamiliar territory for both her and Layla. Although she and Ryder had shared some enjoyment that morning, he appeared somewhat irritated by his inability to locate her name inscribed in his suite. A part of her felt relieved that he had not discovered it.
She did not write Brianna Layla Dieng; it was the sole occasion she permitted herself to inscribe it as it ought to have been, or at least as she desired it to be, Brianna Layla Wood. When he discovered it, it was highly probable that the man would confront her immediately. Contemplated whether she should covertly enter and dispose of it.
Layla amusingly remarked internally, “He’ll detect us now.” That thought was promptly dismissed; Layla was correct. The man would discern that she had been in his suite, specifically in his walk-in closet. If he were to depart from the pack and remain absent throughout the day, her scent would diminish over time.
Dismissed it once more. Opened the door to Luna’s office and entered, almost recoiling at the abundance of plush cushions and feminine decor, which was entirely contrary to her aesthetic. I found the bright yellow and the pale yellow walls unappealing. She surmised that Helen had a strong affinity for yellow.
She traversed the room and seated herself at the desk, which, while acceptable, did not align with her preferences; she contemplated eliminating the items within the space. It was excessively vibrant and cheerful for her character; she favoured a minimalist aesthetic. Simply possess what she required within this location.
Seated myself and commenced work, responded to emails and conducted phone calls. Retrieved the phone number Ryder provided for the police officer in Colorado and initiated a call. Subsequently, she had to conduct a video call to enable him to visually confirm her identity and present her ID for verification. The man was exceptionally meticulous.
The officer was informed that at the time of the incident, she was abroad and was unaware that Ryder had unilaterally decided to relocate her. She acknowledged not only her acquaintance with him but also their romantic involvement, as he had conveyed to the officer. Although she was irritated by his arrogance, she recognised his intentions to assist, referred to him as an idiot, and shook her head. She then indicated that had she been aware, she would have granted approval, and she was relocating to Florida as Ryder Wood had informed him.
The conversation was lengthy, during which she addressed all of the man’s enquiries. Subsequently, he merely sat and gazed at her through the screen, remarking that she should have contacted him to resolve this matter days prior. Brianna responded, “The man must learn; he cannot act as he wishes simply because he is accustomed to it.” The officer smiled at her remark before informing her that he would conclude the file within the next day or so.
Scheduled and coordinated the movers at last. I genuinely wished for Logan to have all his belongings here, although their placement at this juncture was uncertain. Their suite was insufficiently spacious. Secured a moving company for the following week and arranged for a courier to retrieve her house keys to facilitate the relocation. She was aware that Stella had arranged for the transportation of both her car and Brianna’s, which was expected to arrive on Monday along with Stella’s possessions.
She proceeded to the pack gate to deliver it to the courier when she was notified that one was awaiting her. Discovered Luca adjacent to her as she ambulated. “Luca?””
“To what destination are you proceeding?”He enquired nonchalantly, with both hands in his pockets.
“How did you ascertain that I was proceeding in this direction?”“She enquired in response.”
“Ryder is capable of monitoring your location via the pack tether.”
Is he excessively paranoid?She exhaled audibly.
“I believe it is curiosity, more than anything else.”
“What brings you here?””
“I am the Beta, and you are the Luna,” he asserted as though it were entirely logical. She rolled her eyes at him, stating, “I can manage on my own, Luca.” Layla and I are fully competent; we aspired to attain Elite Warrior Status, prior to…” leaving that unarticulated.
Thank you, by the way. Brianna gazed directly at him, still perplexed about their relationship, as she enquired about saving Sadie when he believed she was, indeed… “Why did you bring her into my store?” For a Luna Gown! When both of you are in good health.
I observed him smile and say, “I am not her mate.”
“How did that transpire with your Alpha?”She exhibited curiosity.
“Surpassing expectations, I believe he was more displeased with Sadie than… Additionally, Benjamin’s intervention, stating that he and Helen were agreeable to it, was beneficial.”
“The matter of hypocrisy?”She smiled.
Brianna observed Luca snort with amusement as Ryder foolishly informed Sadie that, due to her gender, she should have awaited her Mate. Stopping in her tracks, she gazed up at the man, her expression one of disapproval, recognising the archaic and hypocritical nature of his statement. “Idiot, he didn’t wait for his Mate,” she muttered, recalling that he had been involved with she-wolves long before she understood his significance to her.
Sadie was rather unkind in asserting his position, as she herself indicated. “I shouted it all at Alpha, directly in his face,” he affirmed. “So, why are we proceeding to the gate?”
“I require a courier service,” she informed him and proceeded onwards. However, omitted the specifics.
“What could that possibly be?””
“My business is what,” she asserted, “from which you and Ryder will be excluded.”
His sole remark was, “Fair enough.”
He, nonetheless, remained, accompanied her for the remainder of the journey to the gate, and observed her as she handed over the sealed envelope. It bore solely her name. The courier possessed all the information; her envelope was placed into one of the courier’s plastic sleeve envelopes. She verified the details, signed, paid, and it was dispatched.
Pivoted and proceeded towards the pack-house. “Will you accompany me each time I descend here?””
“It is probable,” he acknowledged succinctly, “that Ryder is apprehensive you will disappear once more.” It greatly disturbs him.
“He is enrolling Logan in the pack school today; how far does he anticipate I will progress?””
“He is not worried that you will abandon Brianna; he is merely concerned that you might disappear as you did previously.”
“Oh!””
“I understand you submitted your name to the Alpha’s office several years ago?””
“Allow him to discover it independently, Luca,” she mused to herself.
“Is it a game?””
