Page 66 of Cursed
Waking up to Nori’s soft hand holding his, her warm body pressed up against his, Ryland allows himself one brief moment to imagine that he could have this life. A life where he takes her to bed every night and wakes to her snuggled up against him every morning. This is only the second time he’s woken up with her in his arms, and already, he wants her here every morning.
He shuts down any more thoughts of the future and inhales deeply, drawing in her scent. He’ll be devastated when she rejects this Mate Bond, but at least he’ll have some amazing memories.
A smile slowly spreads over Ryland’s face, remembering how she leapt into his arms when he returned from Silver Pine. She seemed genuinely happy to see him.
He momentarily wonders what will happen to both of them now that he’s Claimed her as his. That mark is permanent. No other male can ever Claim her. Maybe, since she agreed to the Claiming, she’s considering accepting the Bond. How will he possibly be able to let her go?
He decides not to think about that anymore either. He’ll simply continue on his present course—take things slow, get to know each other, take care of her while she’s here.
“I would like to meet her wolf. Aylin and I can solidify this Bond for the both of you.” Bade’s deep voice rumbles through his mind.
“Alright. Nori did say she would be willing to shift in front of me. We’ll find someplace secluded, somewhere no one can see her. But…you absolutely cannot pressure her into accepting the Bond. The curse will attack Aylin.” Ryland’s mildly concerned about letting the two wolves spend time with each other, but if Nori’s fine with it, then so is he.
Nori rolls over, snuggling closer to Ryland, her face buried against his neck and shoulder, her hands on his chest. “Morning.”
A grin spreads across his face, hearing her sleepy voice. Ryland wraps his arms around her back and gently hugs her. “Morning. Are you hungry?”
She nods her head against him. “Yes.”
“Eggs and bacon?”
“Yes.” She nods again.
“Oh, today is Saturday. They make pancakes on Saturdays. Do you like pancakes, Nori?”
She sucks in a quick breath as a memory flashes through her brain of her father standing in the kitchen making pancakes for her and her brother. She clears the emotions from her throat. “Yes. I like pancakes.”
Frowning, Ryland doesn’t understand why the thought of pancakes makes her sad and happy at the same time. Nori feels his muscles tense, and she wraps an arm around his back. “My father used to make us pancakes. I haven’t thought about that in a long time. Honestly, I try not to think about any of the happy times I had with my family. So, that’s what you’re feeling from me.”
She lifts her head from the crook of his neck and kisses his chin. Nori leans back to look at him and smiles. “I do really love pancakes, though.”
He smiles back at her, gently pushing her hair from her face with his fingers. A fleeting moment of panic hits him when the words “And I really love you” almost come out of his mouth. Instead, Ryland hides his expression by kissing her forehead. “And fruit?”
“Yes. And juice.”
“Alright, I’ll order us some breakfast.” He tunnels hishand into her hair, tilting her head back, and gently kisses her lips.
Nori’s heart skips a beat at the slow, delicate kiss. She stares into his eyes when he pulls back and wonders how he knew that was exactly how she wanted to be kissed. “I’ll uh…just freshen up in the…the bathroom while you order.”
Ryland cocks an eyebrow at her, knowing he’s the reason that she’s having trouble forming sentences. He kisses her forehead again and releases her. He watches her grab fresh clothes from her drawer and close the bathroom doors. He rolls out of bed and walks over to the phone to place their order.
“Shit,” he says to Bade. “I’m in love with her.” Ryland heads into the closet to change his clothes.
“Of course, you are. She’s your Mate,”Bade huffs. For as long as he’s been with Ryland, he still doesn’t truly understand humans. This Mating business should be as natural and easy as breathing, but humans make it so complicated. He really wishes the Moon Goddess would just let the wolves decide.
After Nori washes her face and hands and brushes her teeth, she changes her clothes. She stops for a moment, catching a glimpse of the raised, pink mark on her right shoulder. She leans over the vanity toward the mirror to get a better look at the Claiming mark. It’s a dark shade of pink, slightly raised, exactly where his fangs pierced her skin.
“It’s permanent, you know.” Aylin’s voice rings through Nori’s mind.
“Yes. I know.” Nori brushes her fingers over the mark. She’s never willingly allowed anyone to mark her, but she definitely allowed this to happen. She briefly wonders what now? But then she hears the kitchen staff bringing in the food.
Feeling Aylin’s rising agitation, Nori says, “You just calm down. Do not pressure me into accepting this Bond.”
“I didn’t say anything!”
“Yeah, but you were thinking it,” Nori replies as she finishes getting dressed.
Exiting the bathroom, the smells of the breakfast food bring a smile to her face. She reaches the table just as Ryland finishes filling their plates. “Thank you.”
