GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 35: A New Wolf Settles In

*Nicolas*

I easily faked the mind link between me and Vera, seeing as I’ve known what it’s like to see others do it and do it myself for years now. While I seemed to go search for the Beta, my feet were really set on getting to the castle’s kitchens. I only had one thing on mind and that was getting my mate her strawberry shortcake dessert.

It didn’t take long for the chefs to make it for me. As soon as they heard it was a request made directly for me, everything else was set on the back burner. Literally.

Now I was on my way back to her with the desert in hand. It was put onto a dainty plate with a sparkling fork stuck onto the top of the creation. I was in a rush, so I would have to thank the bakers later for putting everything aside for me.

I was moving through the gardens to get to the ballroom faster than I was already moving. I must have been distracted because I forgot that the gardens were made in a maze-like pattern. I had just gotten to the center of the garden when I was interrupted in my pathing.

A she-wolf I very vaguely recognized slipped in front of where my gaze was zoned in on. She was wearing a strapless black dress with a ballerina-like skirting that barely covered her rear. Her face was heavy with make-up, which only made it harder for me to try and remember

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Chapter 35. A New Wolf Settles in

who she was.

“King Nicolas-,” she drawled with the flutter of her thick eyelashes. I grimaced as she stared up at me with sultry eyes. “You haven’t played with me in far too long, honey.”

“What are you talking about?” I didn’t have time for this. I needed to get back to my mate with the treat in hand. If she ended up finding Vera while I was away, it could lead to her distrusting me. I wanted to find her first, so she would know that the lie was a surprise for her.

She rolled her eyes at me, arching her chest my way while clasping her hands behind her back. I took a step back so she wouldn’t touch me with her new stretched position. “Don’t pretend you forgot about me, Nicky! It’s been so long since we’ve been together that I wouldn’t mind. if something happened right here… Right now…”

A sly grin lifted her red-painted lips as she stared up at me. My lips lifted too, but instead to show a menacing snarl. “If I was interested in anything with you, I would’ve made that known. But I didn’t. Because I am certainly not interested.”

I took a step away from the desperate woman, only for her to jump at me. I swung the plate away from her first, which made me slower at pushing the woman away. Her arms had wrapped around my neck while she tried molding her body to mine.

I managed to get my empty hand to catch the stranger by the waist and started to push the she-wolf away from me. A growl started in my chest

Chapter 35 A New Wolf Serties in

but died when a wolf’s roar echoed around them.

Where did that sound come from? I pushed the whore away while I turned to see Riley glaring directly at me. Not at the woman coming onto me. Just me. Did she make the noise? It couldn’t have been. I was sure many people agreed that she had no wolf for herself. However, for her to make such an intimidating sound?

It dawned on me that she must have misunderstood what was happening here. If she found her wolf now, it shouldn’t be because she thinks I was rendezvousing with someone whom I wasn’t even sure I had a relationship with.

She stalked closer to the two of us like a predator observing her prey. I stood tense, ready to explain anything she wanted from me. It was clear that she was very angry and that a lot of that anger was ready to be sent straight my way. Then her eyes glared over at the woman who decided to try clinging to me.

I managed to get the she-wolf a few inches back, but not far enough for Riley to feel comfortable with it. She flashed in between the two of us. and pushed the woman away. It was surprising enough to see the wolf stumble back at my mate’s shove.

Even distance didn’t stop my woman. She took a menacing step. forward with a deep glare, “Nicolas is my mate. You don’t get to touch him. To be in the same room as him. To even f**g look at him. Do you understand me?”

My mouth parted in surprise at this new show of jealousy. She had

Chapter 15. A New Woll Seein

never acted like this. I had noticed some jealousy flare up in the little woman, but never to the extent that she was acting out. Especially not in a way of acting out that she was harming another person.

While it was very shocking to see, I also felt exhilarated by her claim. She wanted me. She was claiming me so freely that a shiver went down my spine. I was so busy staring down at the territorial woman that I didn’t notice the other one who decided to retaliate.

The stranger lashed out, claws aiming for Riley’s throat since she didn’ t hear the warning in my mate’s tone. I took a step forward to try to protect her myself, but she was far quicker than I was. I was far too distracted by the shock of my mate’s claim and her newfound strength.

Riley, on the other hand, wasn’t taking any slack she threw her way. Her hands wrapped around the woman’s wrists, pulling her forward rather than pushing out. Her leg swept the woman off her feet and pushed down so that the fall was harder on her body. All of this was done in seconds with no hesitation.

“Since when have you been this strong?” I asked s t u p i l y, staring at what was happening with furrowed brows.

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