“What are the next steps, Ryder?””His Beta, Luca, enquired with a pronounced frown.”
I am unfamiliar with Luca. She declined my advances. I possess no knowledge regarding her whatsoever. It is peculiar that I do not remember her, yet her records indicate that I would have trained with her warrior class at least once a month; she was also 17 when I assumed command, thus she would have been directly before me to pledge her loyalty, indeed, Luca. “I would have needed to call her name; I do not…” he attempted to recollect that day, but there were numerous instances of an entire pack of wolves. “I do not even recall her at that time.”
“What additional options do you possess?””
He recognised that his Beta was attempting to stimulate his recollection of her.
“Nothing significant.” Brianna Dieng registered her own wolf and worked for Grace for three and a half years. There are no registered guardians. Her parents likely died when she was around ten years old. She attended school consistently, yet it all seems merely theoretical, as if she never existed to me; there are no photographs of her or her wolf after the age of ten.
“Strange,” Cooped affirmed.
“Strange, do you remember her? You would have trained her warrior group in my absence.”
I observed his Beta contemplate the matter before shaking his head in negation. What I do know is that she harboured a dislike for both Sadie and me.
“That is now readily comprehensible.” She presumably believed that Sadie was my partner. Responded as a former companion would.
“However, she did decline your advances.” “Indeed,” he remarked with a shrug.
“I never acknowledged the rejection,” Ryder stated, shaking his head. “How could I, when I was unaware of her existence?” I have never truly accepted it, and Luca, I am unlikely to do so in the future. I seek to understand why my divinely appointed mate concealed herself from me for so many years and why she also rejected me.”
“Excessive pain, Ryder,” Luca suggested, providing a rational explanation.
“I am sceptical about that…perhaps ultimately.” However, she remained here, possessing that knowledge for three years; why? Would you not confront and dismiss your Mate upon discovering your lack of desire for them? Why endure such pain for three entire years?”
“I am uncertain; only she possesses that knowledge, Ryder,” Luca remarked with a resigned shake of his head.
Enzo entered his office, stating, “No such luck, Ryder.” He had been attempting to secure an appointment with Brianna Layla, but her assistant had declined all the calls made by the women I had contacted. As soon as they disclosed their employer, their request for an appointment was denied.
“Was it necessary for them to disclose their employer to secure an appointment?”“He enquired, perplexed.”
“It appears to be policy; I had several enquiries regarding that matter and even attempted to circumvent Stella by contacting other stores, receiving the same response, indicating it may indeed be the established policy.”
“Or a new one,” Luca interjected, “to distance you from Ryder.”
“Actively boycotting the pack was feasible then,” Ryder sighed.
“It appears so,” Enzo affirmed.
Ryder’s gaze shifted to Nolan, who had remained unusually silent throughout. He recognised that Nolan had not uttered a single word since Grace’s departure. “What troubles you, Nolan?”He enquired of the man, who was observing him at that moment.
I somewhat recognised her, Brianna. “At the store, well not her… just somewhat,” he shook his head. “I’m uncertain; it’s somewhat challenging to articulate…” He contemplated further. “I experienced a sensation from her, almost as if I had encountered her previously, familiar, I suppose you could say.”
“What?” Why did you remain silent?”
“I was unable to identify it, Ryder.” I previously informed you that after her departure, I experienced significant difficulties with my gift for years, perceiving what I believed to be pain. However, you lacked a Mate, and I made an effort; I assure you, I was unable to locate the one in distress during my hunts, primarily when we were apart. Would you have believed me then if I had suggested that your infidelities were inflicting additional suffering?
Ryder gazed at him, recognising the improbability of his belief, given that he had not detected her presence. “Probably not,” he conceded.
“What are the next steps?”Luca enquired.
“We attempt to reach her, I suppose.” Ryder remarked that Brianna operates three businesses in the human world and must be at one of them.
“That is probable, but she will detect wolves from a considerable distance, and if she consistently conceals her scent, preventing us from obtaining a clear image of her, it is likely she will bypass our personnel.” She is approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, donned in heels during my observation, and effortlessly resembles a human. She does not appear to resemble a muscular she-wolf, at least not that I could discern while she was wearing her suit.
“Are we proceeding with Brianna Layla as your missing mate?” “Ryder,” Enzo enquired, having been absent from the room during the discussions.
