GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 37: Cake Fight

*Unknown pov*

I heard some commotion outside and nodded to my second to see what was going on. Before he could leave, my door was opened. I frowned until I saw who was standing before him.

“You come with news then?” he asked, knowing they had better have a reason for entering his son’s room without permission.

“I do.” said the out-of-breath hunter.

“Do I look like a patient man?” I hissed. I was, in fact, very patient, but only when it came to Nicolas and the revenge I would get.

“Sorry. She is his mate. Not sure if she is his chosen mate or if they are fated mates, but it has been confirmed that he cares a great deal for her,” said the hunter.

“How can you be sure?” I asked.

“He brought the girl to Luna Ameila’s welcome party. He is known for going to places alone. He always left his s** s**s home, but now he brings her,” the hunter continued.

COL

Chapter 37 Cake Fight

I dismissed him and smiled down at my son.

“Finally, my son. I will make him know this pain,” I said.

Without turning around I spoke to my second.

“I think it’s time to surprise the happy couple,” I smirked. Looking down at my son, I could feel my anger stirring again. I had been patient long enough for Nicolas to find someone he cared about and now that he has, I was eager to take it away from him.

Death would be too easy for the Alpha King, I wanted him broken.

*Riley*

I opened my mouth to speak but snapped it shut. I wasn’t any good at pleading my cases and what would I even say? Sorry, I smeared cake on your face because I wanted to wipe that c**y grin off. I couldn’t say that but I had to say something.

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” I stammered. I dug into my pockets but. didn’t have anything to wipe off the cake. Rubbing my hands on my pants, I went in with what my mama gave me.

Using my hands I knocked off a few crumbs but most of it just got stuck on the frosting. I was making it worse somehow.

I held in my scream as his arms shot up and grabbed me, holding me

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captive. I held my breath as I awaited my punishment.

I wanted to close my eyes not wanting to see what was in store for me. Then suddenly he moved.

Leaning close to me he rubbed his cake-covered face against mine. The coldness of the frosting pulled me out of my haze.

He released my hands, leaving one arm covered in cake and frosting, and smiled down at me. My relief was instant but so was my thirst to win. I paused just long enough for him to think I was confused and just as he was going to explain that he wasn’t mad, I threw myself at him. I wrapped my arms around his waist and rubbed my frosty cheek against his clean shirt.

His yell of distress caused me to laugh.

“This is my favorite shirt,” he laughed and then reached out with my covered fingers. I bolted in the other direction laughing as he made roaring sounds to mask his laughter. He managed to catch me and somehow this small cupcake was still kicking and causing a mess. I got him to trip up and climbed on top of him trying to wipe the last of the frosting on him when his powerful arm switched our positions. He pinned me down and began rubbing his face against mine and my upper body almost like a wolf showing affection for his mate.

His growing beard caused me to chuckle as I playfully tried to push him off of me, but he wasn’t budging. Giving up I dropped my arms. and stared up at me.

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Chapter 37 Cake Fight

“You win,” I chuckled out of breath. He smiled big.

“I always win,” he teased.

“You won’t always,” I said leaning up and tightening up the space

between us.

We stare at each other for a while, both comfortable in our current positions.

“Riley,” he said my name as softly as a caress, “you did say mine?” he asked. The blush I already felt with him on top of me deepened.

“More like I roared it,” I admitted. He nodded slightly.

“It was very raw, like a wolf,” he agreed.

I don’t know what came over me but I reached up and touched and brushed his brow to even them out, being this close to him I found their wild nature distracting and cute.

“Wolf-like? Does that mean I could find my wolf?” I asked, though truthfully, I was getting lost in his eyes.

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“It is a good sign, plus your added strength,” he chuckled, “even you seem shocked by how far that she-wolf went,’

Chapter 37 Cake Fight

I couldn’t chuckle, I was feeling something other than humor now. I swallowed my nerves and grabbed the back of his neck.

I gave a slight tug and he wasted no time. Closing the gap between us, his lips captured mine and I surrendered to him.

Pressed up against the ground I wrapped my arms around his neck and drew him closer to me. Surrounded by his scent, his taste, and his body weight, I was consumed by him. He sucked on my lips and tugged at it as he pulled away from me.

The air between was on fire and I knew that there was no going back. I wanted this man, this Alpha King covered in cake and frosting.

He stared at me as if waiting for me to run, but I wasn’t going anywhere.

I nodded to him and kissed him again. I was done running from him, mate or not, he was mine.

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