Page 15 of Cursed (Blood Moon Pack #1)

R yland follows his sister and Garek, locking the doors behind them to prevent any further unwanted intrusions. He breathes a sigh of relief at their departure. He can’t believe how powerful his instinct is to protect this she-wolf from his own family.

Bade growls at Ryland. “ She is our Mate, and we should treat her as such, not like a prisoner. ”

Ryland angrily responds to him, “ Garek is not wrong, Bade. We are being extremely lenient because of the Mate Bond. What if she’s a spy? What if she’s here to hurt the Pack? Or will the simple fact that she is here hurt the Pack? ”

His wolf grumbles, refusing to argue the point further.

Ryland turns, prepared to continue questioning this female, and sees her slumped back in her chair, her hands running through her hair.

When she stifles a yawn, he leans back against the doors and rubs his jaw.

His exhaustion from this past week hits him hard.

Ryland realizes they could both use some rest. He can question her in the morning. After all, where’s she going to go?

“Look,” he says gently. “Why don’t we pick this up in the morning? You are clearly tired, and I am exhausted from riding all day and night. You take the bed, and I’ll take the couch.”

Nori's eyes snap up, stunned at his offer for her to sleep in his bed. Her thoughts fly to her fourth rule:

Rule #4: Never ever accept anything from a Pack Leader. If offered anything, decline as politely as possible.

“Thank you, that’s very kind, but it’s your bed. I’ll happily take the couch.”

He shrugs, too tired to argue with her. “Alright, fine. I’ll get you a pillow. There’s a blanket hanging on the back of the couch.”

Nori starts to decline the pillow, but then thinks that would probably be weird.

Ryland walks into his bedroom and grabs a pillow for her. He returns to find her seated on the couch, bouncing slightly up and down on the seat cushion .

Frowning, he says, “If it’s uncomfortable, my offer for you to take the bed still stands.”

“No. Thank you. Your couch is plenty comfortable.”

Ryland nods and hands her the pillow. Nori lies on the plush couch, adjusts the pillow beneath her head, and wraps the soft, warm blanket around her. Ryland frowns, confused, watching her take a big whiff of his pillow, but ignores it and turns toward his bed.

“They were very familiar with you. Is that normal?” Nori asks, looking at him through half-closed eyes.

“Yes. Garek is my cousin, and you already know Adele is my sister. We rarely use titles when we’re not in a formal setting.” Ryland tilts his head and leans against the wall. “Was it not this way in your Pack?”

“No. Never.” Nori glances around the room and asks, “Don’t you want to chain me up or something?”

“No, if you run, I’ll find you. Mate Bond, remember? Are you ready to tell me your name?”

She yawns widely, ignoring his question. “Aren’t you worried I’ll try to kill you in your sleep?”

Ryland stares at her curled up on his couch, eyes barely open, already almost asleep. He rumbles out a low laugh, shaking his head. “No.”

Nori, satisfied with his responses, replies, “OK. Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Ryland again turns toward the bedroom .

“Nori,” she says sleepily.

His head whips around to look at her, stunned at hearing her name for the first time. “Goodnight, Nori.”

He changes out of his jeans into a pair of loose-fitting pajama pants. He climbs into bed fully clothed to avoid getting blood from the scars all over the sheets. As soon as his head hits the pillow, Ryland says to Bade, “ I am never going to get to sleep with her smell all over these rooms. ”

“ I’m a bit unsettled after spending several hours with her. The Mate Bond has never lasted this long. It was a good call to start fresh in the morning. ” Bade sighs. “ You know her name means 'light,’ don’t you? ”

Ryland buries his face in the pillow. “ You are acting like a lovesick pup. Pull yourself together! ”

Sighing heavily, he takes a moment before he says, “ Seriously, though. A few weeks in the woods wouldn’t cause such severe malnutrition. What do you think happened to her? ”

A rumbling growl comes from Bade. “ Something bad. You heard her story about killing the Rogues. She studies body movement, and she’s able to anticipate a strike. You think that’s why she’s on the run? ”

“ I don’t know, but clearly that’s the reason she hasn’t rejected the Bond. She’s desperate for someone to help her. We’ll get her story tomorrow. ”