Page 11 of Cuffed By My Mate

Nori.

My blood runs cold, and my bear growls inside of me.

This isher.

Creepy Jim’s niece. The girl who was supposed to be delivered to Red Fog. The girl my father wanted to bring into our pack. The girl who never made it there.

The girl I wassupposedto be reporting back on.

My hands clench into fists, and I struggle to keep my expression neutral as my bear starts to pace inside of me.

I can’t let her know.

I can’t let anyone know.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I manage to say, forcing a smile.

“You too!” Nori grins, plopping down in the seat next to my desk like we’ve been friends for years. “How are you liking Twisted Oak?”

“It’s really nice,” I say honestly. “Everyone has been really welcoming.”

I can feel her energy—bright, warm, and so opposite of the kind of people I was raised around.

I can’t help but feelrelievedthat she never made it to Red Fog.

They would have destroyed her.

“Yeah, you’ll love it here,” she says, leaning back in her chair. “Everyone loves Crew, and Iknowthey’re going to love you too.”

I blink, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice.

I don’t know what to say.

I’mnotused to people liking me.

To people wanting toknowme.

“I hope so,” I say softly.

Nori beams. “We’re going to begood friends,” she announces, like it’s already been decided.

I laugh, caught up in her confidence. “I’d like that.”

“Wewillbe,” she says with certainty.

Afriend.

The thought is crazy to me. I never had friends in Red Fog. Everyone was too afraid of my father and brother to talk to me. Or I was too afraid to let them close, worried they’d report back on me. But here, with Nori, I feel something Ineverfelt in Red Fog.

Safe.

My bear nods in agreement, and I let out a big breath of relief. Nori’s phone goes off, and she glances at the screen.

“Crap, I have to get going,” she says, standing up quickly. “Let’s do lunch soon, yeah? Sometime this week?”

I nod. “Definitely. I’ll be here.”

“Great! I’ll reach out soon.”

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