GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 13: Butterfly Scars 

*Nicolas* 

Time seemed to slow as our eyes met. Her vulnerability, bathed in the soft light, sent a raw wave of desire crashing through me. My wolf, a restless beast at the best of times, surged to the forefront. A low growl rumbled in my chest, a sound both primal and embarrassing. It seemed being around her was chipping away at my control with every passing 

moment. 

But then, my gaze snagged on the harsh lines marring her otherwise flawless skin. Anger, that simmering ember within me, flared anew. As my eyes traveled down her body, inspecting every inch of it, I finally recognized the look in her eyes as pure panic. 

My excitement, fueled by the undeniable pull of our bond, turned into a bitter realization. Here I was, exhilarated by the sight of my mate, while she was petrified by the very thought of me seeing her, scars and all. 

Shame washed over me. Rushing in like a bull in a china shop – that was classic me. I should have called Sara to attend to her instead of 

waltzing into the bathroom, or I should have at least asked for her consent. The rational part of me screamed yes. 

But the irrational part, the possessive need to claim what was mine, had overridden all else. After all, she was my mate, wasn’t she? Weren’t we supposed to be a unit, bare and exposed to each other? 

No! She’d had a tough life, leaving her with precious few she could. trust. Building trust, that’s what I needed to do before even thinking about pushing boundaries. 

Chapter 13 Buneity 

She snatched her clothes from my grasp, fumbling to pull them on. My instinct ached to help, to ease her discomfort. But as I reached out a hand, she flinched away as if I intended to strike her. 

Panic clawed at my throat. Here she was, my mate, yet the sight of me sent tremors through her like a frightened rabbit. 

Defeat coiled in my gut, and I let my hand fall uselessly to my side. She threw on her clothes with a frantic urgency, tugging at the corners. of her coat and wrapping it around herself protectively. 

The words “I would never hurt you” burned on my tongue, but I knew that was the last thing she wanted to hear at this point. I could feel her nervousness, her unease. I blamed them for making her into this person who feared my presence so much. 

And right now, the well of trust between us ran bone dry. The raw fear emanating from her ripped at me. Fury, hot and primal, bubbled. towards those who had warped her into this skittish creature, so afraid 

of her own mate. 

But my anger wouldn’t bridge the gap between us. Trust wasn’t something demanded, it was earned. 

“I won’t hurt you,” I finally managed, the words heavy with my own. helplessness. I wanted to earn her trust, but I didn’t know how. 

I pulled the ointment out of my pocket, showing it to her. “It’s for your scars,” I said softly. “If you could take off your coat, I’ll apply it for you.” 

Her grip on the coat tightened, the fabric bunching around her like a fortress wall. “I can do it myself,” she mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. 

Ignoring the sting of rejection, I took a slow step forward, my hand reaching out to gently slide the coat from her shoulders. “I know you can,” I said, my voice calm and soothing. “But I want to do this for you.” 

I dip my fingers into the cool ointment, gently applying them to the angry red welts that marred the smooth canvas of her arm. As my fingers gently massaged the medicine into her skin, my heart ached for her. I could feel every pain she felt, and I wanted them to pay. 

Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. Finally, I couldn’t hold back the words that burned in my throat. “You should have let me destroy them for what they did to you,” I growled, the possessiveness in my voice both a promise and a threat. 

her 

eyes 

Her only response was a tense silence. For a fleeting moment, met mine, a flicker of something raw and unguarded passing between us. But then, as quickly as it appeared, the spark vanished, her gaze dropping back to the floor. 

“Does it hurt?” I asked, my voice softer now. 

A barely perceptible shake of her head. “No, not anymore,” she whispered. “It just hurts more to look at those ugly scars. 

Η 

The words scraped against my heart. “Don’t say that, Riley,” I urged, my voice thick with emotion. “They’re not ugly. They’re like…like butterflies. They make you even more beautiful, because they show how strong you are. 

– 

She stole another glance at me, her gaze flickering away like a startled fawn the moment our eyes met. That flinch, that fear in her eyes that was another hurdle I had to clear. My hand moved down her arm, applying the ointment with slow, deliberate strokes. 

Chapter 13: Butterfly Scars 

“No one would be able to bully you ever again,” I vowed. “You have me now, anyone who tries to hurt you would rue the day they were born.” 

Her response was a cynical scoff. “Are you this gentle with all of your slaves?” 

As soon as the words left her mouth, I threw my head back in laughter. What? Where did that even come from? But then, I began to 

understand. She probably never expected to have a mate, so this still confused her. 

The laughter died in my throat, my expression suddenly turning serious. I put a hand under her chin, lifting her face up to meet mine. The light blue of her eyes tugged at the deepest parts of my soul. 

“You’re not my slave Riley, you’re my mate,” 

I looked deeply into her eyes, emphasizing the last word. She had to believe it, I had to make her believe it. 

Suddenly, she moved away from my touch, tilting her head to get a better look at me. “Why did you choose me as your mate?” 

The question took me off guard. 

H 

One day, when she shifts, she will believe. She would know that we are fated mates, and that’s not a choice I had to make. She was destined for me, a fate long decided by the moon goddess. 

But as much as I didn’t want to keep my distance from her, now might 

be the best decision for both of us. 

After all, this palace isn’t really a safe place.