Page 57 of Cursed
“No. Who cares? What does your damn hand have to do with Zayne?” Sadie’s anger and confusion are all over her tear-streaked face. She’s literally going to combust if someone doesn’t start doing something to help her Mate.
chapter thirty-five
“Yesterday—” Adele stops as Garek and Nori rush into the room. Nori’s eyes find Ryland’s, and the room fades to the background.
She runs to him, flinging herself into his arms, trusting he will catch her. Her legs wrap tightly around his waist as she clings to him with all her might. Her lips crash against his in a fierce kiss, wild and unrestrained, showing him just how much she’s missed him.
Ryland staggers back a step from the force of Nori’s embrace but effortlessly holds her weight. He’s bewildered for only a moment before he dives into the frenzied kisswith her, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her tightly to him.
After she’s had her fill, Nori leans her head back, looking at him with tears in her eyes. “You’re late!”
“I know, Nori. We got caught in a snowstorm.” Ryland grips her tightly with one arm under her thighs and one behind her back, staring into her eyes, stunned at the intensity of her greeting.
Her eyes roam over his face; she kisses his right cheek. “Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m not hurt.” He kisses the top of her head.
Nori kisses his chin but looks confused. “Why am I here?”
Ryland’s mouth cracks into a wide grin. “I’m not sure, but I am so fucking glad you are.”
As if from far away, Nori hears Adele calling to her. “Nori?”
She blushes, realizing just how many people are in the room. She sucks in a breath and whispers, “Shit. Sorry.”
She moves to get down, and Ryland releases his hold on her, helping her slide down his body until her feet touch the floor. He tilts her face up to his. “Never apologize for that, Nori; no matter who is in the room.”
Blushing again, she clutches his arm, looking around the room. Adele has a look of terror on her face. Zayne is lying in a hospital bed, bleeding from his side, and a she-wolf withtears rolling down her cheeks is next to Zayne, holding his hand.
“Oh…I know why I’m here.” Nori reluctantly steps away from Ryland, squeezing his hand as she releases her hold on him.
She slowly walks toward Zayne’s bed and stands beside Adele. She leans down to inspect the wound, and a deep frown spreads across her face. “Adele? Is that a bite from a Rogue?”
“Yes, Nori,” Adele says sadly.
A small whimper escapes as Nori tries to take slow, deep breaths while her heart beats furiously. She’s completely unnerved at seeing an actual Rogue bite. Knowing what Adele is going to ask her to do, Nori’s normally tight grip on her Alpha Daughter power starts to slip into the room, causing a round of gasps from everyone.
Ignoring them, she continues to examine the bite mark and asks, “So, he’s going to die?”
Sadie is borderline hysterical, waiting for someone to do anything at all to help her Mate. She frantically yells, “No! He is not going to die!” She openly glares at Adele. “What the hell are you waiting for? Give him the antidote!” She growls, “NOW!”
Nori flicks her eyes up to look at Sadie. Sadie’s mouth snaps shut, and she takes a step back from the power rolling off of Nori.
Aylin tries to help. “Keep taking those deep breaths and settle down. We can do this. We’ve been very successful, practicing on Adele.”
Nori stands up and faces Adele. Blowing out a breath, she looks up at the ceiling to keep her tears from falling. “Is it…” She clears her throat. “Is it at all possible that I could make him worse?”
Adele gently grasps Nori’s arms. “No. There is no chance that you could make him worse.” Tears hang on her lashes as she flicks her gaze to Zayne. “If you can’t heal him, we’ll try the antidote, but…I’ve had zero positive test results. It won’t help him.”
Adele’s tears slowly fall down her face. “Please, Nori. I need you to try. Please try to save my brother.”
Nori nods. “I’m going to need that Seer for this.”
Adele smiles weakly and hugs Nori fiercely. “I’ve already sent for her.”
Bade whispers to Ryland, “Just what have they been doing since we’ve been gone, and when did Nori and Adele get so chummy?”
Ryland is fascinated, watching Nori embrace his sister like they are best friends. He tells Bade to quiet down and see what happens.
