Page 44 of Cursed
The two men grasp forearms, and Garek walks off to make sure the Enforcers are ready to leave.
Ryland turns to Nori and gathers her in his arms for a crushing, passionate kiss. The scent of their desire for one another floats through the crowd, causing them to stare in wonder at the new couple.
Ryland looks down at her and smiles. Seeing fat tears hanging on her lashes, he places quick kisses all over her face until she laughs.
Nori, smiling now, says, “I will miss you.”
Her confession takes his breath away. He takes a moment to memorize her lovely face. “I will miss you, too.” Ryland leans in for one more soft kiss. Afterward, he releases her into the waiting arms of his sister and mounts his massive steed.
Adele holds Nori around her shoulders as the men ride off. Her chest rising and falling, Nori says, “I have no idea what’s wrong with me. I’m not usually this emotional.”
Adele nods and says, “It’s the Mate Bond causing your emotions to go haywire. It’ll get better after you accept the Bond and Claim each other.”
chapter twenty-eight
“Come on, let's see what trouble we can get into,” Adele says with a smile.
Nori grins. “That was the biggest damn horse I’ve ever seen!” Laughing together, the two women walk back into the castle.
Adele leads Nori back to Ryland’s quarters. Walking inside, she says, “You need to shower up because you smell like sex!” Nori busts out laughing at Adele’s audacity.
“You also need some proper clothes; I’m taking you to my tailor to get fitted. That tailor gets up close and personal, taking measurements, so offyou go!”
Nori stares at her for a moment. “Adele, that’s not necessary. I’m fine with what’s been brought up.”
“Nonsense! You are Mate Bonded to my brother, Prince of All Wolves, remember? You need to look the part, Nori.”
Nori staggers back as if someone punched her in the stomach. She looks at Adele wide-eyed. “Oh, no! This Pack will never accept me! I’m a slave girl from the Starfall Pack whose Alpha was accused of instigating the vampire war with the King, and apparently, he killed your mother!”
Nori continues, spinning toward hysterics. “Starfall only ever married for power, never for the Mate Bond. I am completely unworthy of him, and—”
Adele grasps Nori’s shoulders, interrupting her meltdown. “You listen to me, Norina Valcrest! You are not a slave girl; they pushed you into that role, but that is not who you are. You have Alpha blood running through your veins. I have seen your power. Hell, I’ve felt it, and it is immense!”
Adele watches Nori slowly calm down. She continues, smiling again. “You are right where you are supposed to be, Nori, and you will make a powerful Mate for my brother. Now, get your ass in that shower!”
Nori smiles sheepishly, still not quite convinced. “OK, Adele. And thanks. I’ve not had new clothes in a while.”
After Nori has showered and dressed, Adele leads her through the hallways of the castle to the tailor’s shop. Stoneand mortar surround her—on the ceiling, on all the walls. Long, thick runners cover the floors, adding warmth, but every hall looks exactly the same as the last.
“This place is a maze; so much larger than I thought.”
“The castle is a small city. There are whole wings dedicated to any number of things we need. Spaces for Pack meetings or gatherings, a large food court, the hospital wing, of course, markets for selling food and clothes; you name it, we’ve got it. After lunch, I’ll show you how to get to my chambers and to the hospital wing. I know the castle is intimidating; we’ll start slow.”
Aylin is busy reprimanding Nori the entire trek to the tailor’s shop. “Adele is right, Nori. We are not slaves. We are Alpha Daughters. You need to start believing that we are a worthy Mate for Ryland.”
“Geez, Aylin. I’ve had no time to adjust to our new environment here. Not to mention, I’m still a bit out of sorts with Ryland gone. Oh, and almost dying! Give me a minute.” Nori huffs at Aylin.
“Sorry. But you need to adjust faster,” Aylin grumbles at her.
“Whatever!” Nori yells, slightly angry now.
They walk into the tailor’s shop, and Adele introduces everyone. “Nori, this is Amara Graymore, the best tailor in the Pack. Amara, this is Nori Valcrest, Mate Bonded to Prince Drakemoor.”
Amara, a rather petite woman, wears several tape measures around her neck, a pin cushion on her wrist, and her curly red hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun.
Nori politely says hello, but Amara grins widely and grabs both of Nori’s hands, squeezing them tightly. “At last, the Prince has found a Mate, and such a beauty too! Very nice to meet you, Nori Valcrest.”
Amara looks at Adele. “She’s a bit on the thin side, though.”
