GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 50: Leaving My Love Behind.

*Nicolas*

I look out the window and see Riley talking to her sister. She looked so authoritative, so grown. Not anything like the girl I brought back to the palace all those months ago.

She told me she could handle being alone, but she’s my Luna, I couldn’ t help the desperate urge I had to protect her. I never wanted to let her out of my sight, especially with people I didn’t trust to keep her safe. Especially that one she was talking to. Sly little thing that one. I didn’t trust her one bit.

D**n it! Those f**g hunters. Duty calls once again, and I have to answer. I look at her again, my perfect mate. I didn’t want to leave her, the thought of it drove me crazy. But when I consider staying, my mind goes back to my mother and then Vera’s grim words come back to me.

I had to go. D**n it!

My eyes searched for Riley, and this time I saw her hugging Ava. That was something I didn’t think I would ever see. When did they reconcile and why did it happen so soon? Years of torture and pain wouldn’t just go away after a simple apology. I had to keep my eye on her and make sure she didn’t do anything to hurt my Luna.

Chapter 50. Leaving My Love Behind

I watch their interaction for another moment. It seemed genuine. Riley seemed to have truly reconciled with her sister, and Ava… well, I’ll judge that one later. I watch as she collects medicine for the wounded, and begins administering them.

I should help her. With that in mind, I make my way outside. In a world filled with evil people, my mate was a saint. As I approached, I watched as she helped a pack that had humiliated her, and hurt her repeatedly. She repaid evil with good.

Riley had a golden heart and we should all hope to be just as good as her. I couldn’t help the feeling of pride that spread across my chest. The world didn’t deserve to have someone as amazing as Riley in it.

I walked up to her, placing a hand on the small of her back. She leaned into me for a moment, grateful for the support.

“I’m fine Nic, you don’t have to worry,” she mumbled, but the exhaustion in her eyes betrayed her words.

“I don’t have to worry, but I can’t help it,” I said, cupping her chin to force her gaze to mine. “You’re running on fumes, Riles. Go sit down.”

A flicker of defiance sparkled in her eyes. “I can’t. They need me.”

“Then let me help you,” I countered gently.

“You can’t. You’re the Lycan King…”

“It can’t be helped. I do this for you,” I said, taking the medicine from

her hands.

I squatted in front of a wounded guard and applied it on his shoulder. He moved away from me a little, probably in fear. But I would do anything for my Luna. That could be my strength, just as well as it could be my weakness.

I repeated that for hours, and at the end of the day we were both exhausted. Riley was on the verge of passing out, but she was too stubborn to admit it. I pulled her into the room with me.

“Nicolas, wait…” she protested weakly, her voice thick with exhaustion. “I still have to…”

“Shhhh…” I murmured, cutting her off with a finger on her lips. “You don’t have to do anything else. I won’t allow it.”

With a soft click, I closed the door behind us, hoping that would be the end of the chaos for the night. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly against my chest.

The warmth of her body seeped into mine, her scent filling my senses and sending a rush of desire through me. But this wasn’t the time or place for that. My primal urges would have to wait.

“It breaks my heart to leave you here alone,” I said softly, resting my chin atop her head. “I wish I could stay.”

Chapter 50 Leaving My Love Behind.

“I have to stay,” she replied with fierce determination. “This place. means everything to me. I can’t abandon these people. And I can’t ask you to stay, Nic. You’re the Lycan King, you have responsibilities.”

D**n it! She was right, as always. I had a duty to protect our kind and ensure their safety.

“You have to do this,” she continued, her eyes blazing with determination. “I want those hunters to pay for what they took from me. So go back and find that coward hiding behind his hunters and make him pay.

There was a fire in her words that ignited something deep within me. “I can’t argue with that,” I chuckled softly, brushing a stray strand of hair out of her face. “You’re quite the spitfire now, aren’t you?”

As she gazed up at me with unwavering determination, my desire for her grew even more intense. I couldn’t wait. I wanted her now.

With a fierce grip on her waist, I yanked her to me, devouring her lips with a primal hunger. Her arms tightened around my neck instinctively as I hoisted her up, her legs wrapping tightly around my hips. She arched against me, her body pressing against mine in an urgent plea.

I knew she wanted me just as desperately as I wanted her. And tonight, I would make sure to leave a lasting impression before saying goodbye.

I didn’t want to be gentle or cautious. I wanted her pressed against the

Chapter 50 Leaving My Love Behind

wall, our bodies melded together in raw passion. My desire for her was insatiable and I was determined to give her everything.

Her hand tugged on my hair as I pushed her against the wall, plunging her tongue into my mouth with a fierce possessiveness.

It was intoxicating to see Riley take control like this. And when she pulled my arm and pressed it against her chest, I couldn’t resist any longer.

In one swift movement, I tore apart her blouse with my teeth, exposing every inch of her beautiful flesh that was mine for the taking. A growl escaped my lips as I claimed what belonged to me.

My mouth watered with desire as I hungrily leaned down, tasting the soft flesh on her chest. She arched against me, grinding herself against my body in desperate need.

“Nic, please, do it now,” she moaned, her voice thick with longing.

Without hesitation, I tore off my pants and pushed a hand under her dress, feeling her hot and slick core waiting for me. F**k!

“Let me taste you,” I demanded, already lowering myself to my knees.

With one arm wrapped around her waist, I buried my face underneath the fabric of her skirt, my lips finding their way to her sensitive flesh between her thighs.

Chapter 50 Leaning My Love Behind

A subtle kiss quickly turned into a frenzy of hungry licks and ferocious sucking as I devoured her essence. The intensity grew with each flick of my tongue, driving us both closer to the brink of ecstasy.

She grabbed my hair, grinding her swollen c l i t against my lips as she pushed me deeper into her.

“Nic,” the sound of my name on her moaning lips, drove me half mad.

In one swift movement, I was on my feet again, driving into her, hard and fast. It was frantic, animalistic. My hand was on her neck with possessive force, and her nails were digging into my back.

Her moans filled the room, as I drove into her with desperate passion.

I felt her body tremble beneath me, her knees buckling as she reached. her peak. With one final powerful thrust, I found my own release and crashed down against her, our mouths locked in a passionate kiss.

Riley had claimed me completely, body and soul. And I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to break free.