GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 31 First Impressions

*Riley*

My stomach churned – I’d never been so nervous in my entire life. Never did I crave approval like I did now, and from a woman I’d never met. Since N**s’s request to be at his side when he welcomed his mother. the past three days had been a frenzy of nervous energy

We both stood in the dining room, delicious dinner spread across the table, waiting for the powerful and influential Luna the entire pack spoke so fondly about. Everything was perfectly set for the Luna of the pack.

Something told me she had the power to truly solidify my place here. I really wanted her approval. Messing this up simply wasn’t an option.

I straightened my shoulders the moment I heard footsteps. Sensing my anxiety. Nicolas squeezed my hand softly. It seemed the bond between us had intensified. Nicolas understood my emotions perfectly and I was grateful for his support.

Just then, a beautiful, elegant lady stepped into the room. If not for the air of power that she radiated, and her confident gaze. I could never have guessed she was Nicolas’ mom. That, and the fact that Nicolas had left my side to pull her into a hug

She looked young, almost too young to be Nicolas’ mom. What was her secret?

I dropped into a curtsy the moment her attention shifted to me.

“You must be Riley,” she said. Her voice, smooth and sweet, washed

Chapter 31 First Impressions

over me like silk. It was smooth and rich, and I was slowly beginning to understand why everyone loved and respected her.

I nodded, struggling to maintain eye contact. Holding her gaze felt like staring straight into the sun. “It’s very nice to meet you, Luna Adele,” I managed to say.

She c**d a head to the side as if surprised by my greeting, but she smiled softly at me, saying nothing.

“You’re so much taller now,” she finally said, reaching up to ruffle her son’s hair. “I could barely recognize you.”

Nicolas swatted feebly at her hand, but it was a losing battle. There was nothing he could do about her hand in his hair. A warmth bloomed in my chest.

I loved seeing him this way. It reminded me that he wasn’t just the Lycan King, he was also her son.

The look on N**s’s face, however, was a masterpiece. Pure, unadulterated annoyance. He clearly hated being treated like a cub, especially in front of me. Unable to contain myself, a soft giggle bubbled up from my throat. The scene in front of me was just too

adorable.

Luna Adele’s smile faltered slightly as she turned to me. But her gaze wasn’t meeting mine. Instead, it drifted down to my neck, lingering a beat too long. Memories of the other night flooded my cheeks with heat. I quickly yanked up the collar of my dress. I didn’t want her to know what me and her son did behind closed doors.

“Let’s eat, shall we?” she finally said, her voice regaining its smooth. composure. She gestured towards the table and slid into the seat at N i c o l a ‘ s right side.

Chapter 31 First Impressions:

Taking a deep breath, I settled across from her. Dinner conversation. I could do this. Smile, offer light comments, and navigate the social minefield. Easy, right?

“I hear your training’s been progressing wonderfully,” Adele remarked, picking up a piece of bread. “They say you’ve made tremendous

strides.”

“Riley’s a natural,” Nicolas declared, looking at me with pride in his

eyes.

I frowned at that. Although I appreciated that he was proud of me, I couldn’t help but feel a little bit irritated that he had spoken for me. I wasn’t so fragile that I couldn’t speak for myself.

“I was talking to Riley, Nicolas, in case you didn’t notice,” Adele’s voice cut through the air, voicing my thoughts. Nicolas raised his hand. in defense, going back to his food.

I smiled to myself. I like this woman.

“I struggled a bit at the beginning,” I admitted. “But I’m doing much better now.

“I’d like to see you in training sometime,” Adele said.

Nicolas shook his head. “You keep reprimanding me, but you’re even more of a child than I was.”

Adele’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Since we’re reminiscing about your childhood days, do you need me to tell you to go sit in a corner?”

I couldn’t help but laugh. I changed my mind, I loved this woman.

“I would love to have you there, Luna Adele.”

She gave me that look again but smiled again. “I remember when

Nicolas started training. He struggled just as much as you did, maybe. even more.”

“Mother…” Nicolas groaned.

“What? Isn’t that the truth?”

“It’s not as…” Nicolas began, but paused, suddenly staring intensely at his plate. He sighed, pushing his chair backward and rising to his feet. “I’m sorry Mother, but I have to attend to an urgent business.”

She looked disappointed. “Don’t you tell your guards not to mind link you during dinner, especially with your mother?”

Nicolas made his way to her side, placing a hand on the back of her chair. “We’ve had some… issues. I instructed them to let me know

when anything comes up.”

“I’ve not seen my son for so long, I thought we could have a simple dinner together. Isn’t that possible?” Adele retorted.

Nicolas leaned down, placing a kiss on her check. “I’m sorry, Mother. We’ll get to spend time together soon.”

He glanced at me, a flicker of concern in his eyes. I gave a subtle shake of my head, letting him know I was okay. With a final nod, he disappeared out of the room.

The moment he left, Adele cleared her throat, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. “Well, now that it’s just all girls, we should get to know. each other better, don’t you think?”

“There’s no need to be nervous, Riley,” Adele said warmly. “We are family now, aren’t we? Nicolas brought you back a while ago. You

must be getting a feel for things, understanding your role as the future Luna.”

“Luna Adele, I…” I began, unsure how to respond.

“Adele, please,” she interrupted gently. “Like I said, family.”

“Thank you, Adele,” I replied, a sense of relief washing over me.

“Now,” she continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “there’s a very… personal matter I’d like to discuss. Why hasn’t Nicolas marked you yet?”

It was an intimate topic alright, an intimate, painful topic. I was embarrassed and sad, but for some reason, even though I didn’t really know this woman, I felt safe enough to tell her the truth.

“I’m not Nicolas’ destined partner,” I confessed to her. “I’m just his chosen partner. He hasn’t revealed my identity to the world yet, and I can never truly be his Luna. So, calling you Luna Adele is a more

accurate term.”

I finally looked up, but instead of pity, I saw protection in her eyes. Her lips were moving viciously, but I could hardly hear the words.

“Nicolas doesn’t know anything about having a true partner. I will decide for you because you are family.”

I laughed. It was nice to know I had someone who was truly on my side.

I had found an unexpected ally in Luna Adele.