GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 4: Crule Insult to Injury

*Riley*

My eyes peeled open at the crack of dawn, just as I’ve done every morning for as long as I could remember. Since I was worthless, and every other person had important things to do with their wolf abilities, my job was to take care of the pack.

That includes waking up at dawn to cook for the entire pack, while everyone else was still fast asleep. I didn’t really mind it. During this time, I was completely alone. I could think clearly without anyone breathing down my n*ck, saying mean things to me, or shoving me around.

During this time, my thoughts and actions were my own.

Since they liked to sleep in, I always took my time while preparing the food. After that, I would set everything on the large dining table, where everyone would eat except me. I would eat alone… in the kitchen.

As I placed the last plate on the table, a familiar scent filled the room. Noah.

Maybe he came back for me, to beg me. Maybe I didn’t lose him, and I didn’t have to leave after all.

But when I turned around to face him, my heart sank. It wasn’t Noah, it was Ava. She had his scent all over her body, and it almost drove me to madness.

She strutted into the room, a smirk on her despicable face. She propped a leg up, stretching and yawning at the same time.

And that was when I saw it. Long scratches across Ava’s thigh. Those scratches weren’t there when I saw her last.

They didn’t even have the decency to keep their hands off each other for one night. This just proves that they didn’t give a shit about me. I wondered how she felt, knowing that she was breaking my heart all over again.

“How was your night, Riley? Because mine was fantastic.” Her smug words dripped with malice as she smirked at me, letting me know exactly what happened between them last night.

Fury burned in my gut as her smirk widened. I wanted to hit her, to put more scratches, vicious ones, but on her face this time.

“Don’t look so pathetic,” she sneered, twisting the invincible knife deeper into my chest. “He wasn’t yours to have anyway. Consider it a favor, sis.”

My hand instinctively clenched into a fist, fingernails digging into my palm. Ava wasn’t worth the fight. Besides, as soon as the day is over, I’ll be free.

I’ll be free, I repeated to myself.

I tried to move past her, but she grabbed my arm, preventing me from leaving the room. “Are you avoiding me? That’s not the way to treat your sister who just found her mate.”

“Leave me alone,” I growled, voice strained.

“No happy tears for your sister? No excitement that she’s found her love, her forever?” Her voice dripped with mock concern. “A man who adores her, who touches her…” She stretched out the last word, deliberately taunting me. “And guess what? He’s going to be the next Alpha, making me his Luna!”

The world narrowed to the vicious glint in my eyes. “Stop, please…”

A cruel laugh escaped her lips. “You brought this on yourself, Riley. You were a fool to think Noah would ever choose you.”

“Let me go, Ava.”

“Okay.” She flung my arm away with a shove, sending me stumbling back. “Remember your place,” she hissed, a final barb before sauntering off.

I stared at her retreating figure for a moment, each arrogant step a fresh insult. A million retorts clawed at my throat, but there was no point. So, I held them back. Silence was the only weapon I had left against her cruelty.

With a deep breath, I rushed out of the room. I was ready to get the day over with so I could finally be free.

Besides, I had a lot to do for the Choosing ceremony. Again, I was the designated slave, and I had to run all the errands. I headed back to the kitchen to grab the fruits that Father had asked me to drop off in front of the Unity Hall.

My head was spinning with plans to run away. Where would I even go? Would another pack take me in? I didn’t think any pack would accept me. I would be just as useless and worthless to them.

Suddenly, the world lurched as a hand clamped onto my arm, yanking me into a complete darkness. The utility room.

My mind, still reeling from Ava’s taunts, struggled to process what was happening. Panic clawed at my throat, the scent of damp earth and cleaning supplies assaulting my senses.

But then, the familiar scent filled my senses again, and this time I knew it was really him. The harsh fluorescent light flickered on, revealing him standing there, his eyes searching mine with an intensity I hadn’t seen the last time we were together.

“You’re looking at me today,” I said, my voice rough with emotion.

“W-w-what?”

“You wouldn’t even look at me yesterday.” I stared at him deeply, hoping I would see the love I once saw in his eyes.

His shoulders sagged in shame, a delayed reaction to my earlier pain. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled, words that meant nothing to me.

“What happened, Noah?” I finally managed, the question trembling on my lips.

His gaze dropped, his jaw clenching and unclenching like a vise. “I’m so sorry, Riley.”

Fury, long simmering, threatened to erupt. “Why would you do this to me?”

My voice, though laced with anger, was a mere whisper compared to the roar in my head. Why was I so weak? So helpless around people who chose to hurt me.

“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” he pleaded, his eyes holding a desperation that mirrored my own. “You have to believe me. I really did love you.”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Did? So, our love is past tense now?” I challenged, the weight of his betrayal threatening to crush me.

“You know that’s not what I mean,” he pleaded. “The mate bond…it’s a force I can’t control. My feelings for you were real, so strong. But when I found out Ava was my mate…” His voice trailed off, as if he was searching for the right words. “I just… I couldn’t help myself.”

I hated this. I hated the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me. He doesn’t get to make everything seem okay. I can’t just be collateral damage in someone else’s story. They hurt me, and they need to see that.

“Are you even sure about Ava?” I spat. “Are you sure you want to spend your life with a selfish, conceited sister who wouldn’t recognize decency if it bit her?” The memory of Ava’s smug face fueled my anger. “You said it yourself, Noah!”

“Riley…” His voice held a warning edge, but it did little to quell the storm brewing within me.

“She’s impossible! She’s selfish, conceited and…” I was about to launch into a tirade, but something in Noah’s gaze stopped me cold. It was a look I’d never seen before – raw, possessive anger.

“Don’t. You. Ever. Speak. About. Her. That. Way. Again,” he growled, each word punctuated by a slam of his fist against the metal shelves.

Hot fear flickered in my chest. I’d never seen Noah this angry. “Noah… I,” I stammered, the words catching in my throat.

He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. “I apologize,” he said, his voice strained, but the anger lingered in his dark eyes. “It’s just… I feel so protective of her.”

He clasped my hands in his, his gaze softening. “I don’t want this to be the end of us, Riley. We’ve had too many good times together. We can still be friends, can’t we?”

“You don’t have to worry about being my enemy. Because after today, I would never have to see your disgusting faces again.” And with that, I push the door open, storming out of the utility room.

“Riley, wait!” Noah’s desperate plea echoed behind me, but I didn’t stop. Tears streamed down my face. I swiped at it furiously. I was so tired of crying.

Suddenly, a long, loud howl pierced the air, a signal from the wolf guards. Five howls. Someone important.

Against my better judgment, I turned to face Noah. His eyes met mine, his expression grim.

“The Lycan King is here,” he stated gravely.