Page 10 of Cuffed By My Mate

I saw the disdain on his face when he talked about Red Fog, the way his hands clenched into fists, the way his jaw tightened. Hehatesthem. Probably for good reason.

And I hate them too. Probably more than he does.

I hate my father. I hate my brother. I hate everything about the twisted, dark, broken pack they rule over.

But what will Crew do when he finds outI’mfrom there? What will he do when he learns the truth?

That I was sent here tospyon his pack?

That my father and brother expect me to infiltrate Twisted Oak to gather information for them?

My stomach churns.

I never intended to go through with it. I was just trying to escape. Red Fog was a prison, and coming here was my chance at freedom. I took the first out I could find, even if it meant letting them believe I was still under their thumb.

But now,now, it’s all going to come crashing down.

I had the chance to tell Crew the truth last night. Or at lunch today.

But I chickened out. Again.

I should tell him now. Before it’s too late. Before he finds out on his own and assumes the worst.

Iknowthat’s the right thing to do. I know that waiting will only make it worse.

But I’mterrified.

What if he rejects me?

What if he throws me out of Twisted Oak and tells me to go back to Red Fog?

I can already feel myself putting down roots here, alreadyfeelthe connection with this pack, with thishome. I don’t want to lose it. I don’t think I could survive losing my mateandthe life I was just beginning to build.

My bear whines inside of me, picking up on my anxiousness and starting to get worried herself. I try to comfort her, but it’s hard when I’m still panicking.

We won’t lose him,I tell her.

We can’t lose him,she says, and I swallow hard.

I squeeze my eyes shut, taking a deep breath, forcing the panic down.

I have to figure this out.

And I have to figure it outfast.

The door to the station opens, and I startle in my seat, spinning around, my heart still racing. My bear is on high alert inside of me, and we both watch eagerly as someone walks into the station.

A woman steps inside, blonde hair cascading over her shoulders, her hazel eyes warm and friendly.

“Hey! You must be Vera. Tucker told me about you,” she says, walking over with a smile.

I force myself to breathe, tocalm down. She doesn’t know anything.

“Hey,” I say, offering a small wave.

“I’m Nori. Tucker’s mate.”

I freeze.

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