GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 5: All Means All – Olivia

Chapter 5: All Means All – Olivia

　*Nicolas*

“You hear that?” Vera asked through the mind link.

I sniffed the air and I’m flooded with the scent of nearby fear. I growl in disgust and frustration. I don’t have time for hunters.

Vera follows my lead and widens the space between us so we can surprise the group of hunters trying to grab wolf pups. We slow our approach as they remain unaware of their inevitable demise.

I sniffed around, though there were only two in front of us, the others were nearby. Despite being in a hurry, the wolf in me took pleasure in the hunt, the stalking of one’s prey.

Their fates were already sealed when they touched their first pup, they would serve as a warning to the others.

Purposely, I stepped on a stick, my weight snapping it. The sound echoed throughout the clearing.

The hunters froze and stared. They looked right at me but saw nothing. Untrained, and unworthy of my precious time. My mate, my Luna didn’t have time for me to be playing games. Vera growled on the other side, drawing their attention.

“Let’s get the f**k out of here,” one hunter grunted, tossing a wiggling bag of pups over his shoulder. Their whimper ignited my rage, which, in the state I’ve been in for that last hundred mate less century, was beyond fiery. The other hunter pulled out a medium sized knife, his back towards me and scanned for us.

Not seeing any movement, he decided to taunt us. He grabbed the last pup, the runt of the litter and held him up by the cuff. Before he even raised his knife, I emerged from the dense trees.

His eyes widened a second before my fangs bit into his n*ck. His blood oozed out of my mouth as his b*dy ceased its jerking. His partner screamed frozen in fear. I made no move towards him, but locked eyes with him as I let his friend’s blood drain from his jaws.

Finally, he found himself, dropped the pups as he turned, only to run into Vera’s raised paw. She sliced him down the middle and he dropped to the ground dead.

She freed the pups and allowed them to lovingly rub themselves against her.

“If you’re not too busy, I would like to get to my mate,” I growled.

“Relax, the Evermane pack is just over these hills. Besides, you can’t show up looking like that,” she mocked.

“Why not? Perhaps this will remind them that I play no games when it concerns my mate. This alpha has always been more defiant than he has any right to be,” I said. The runt of the litter fumbled through my legs, his paws leaving red prints.

“Let’s get it over with,” I hissed.

Vera chuckled through the bond, finding my impatience amusing.

After washing off the hunters we shift back into our human forms and reach Evermane. A hush befell the people closest to us, while a not so quiet whisper spread out as we advanced toward the pack’s Unity hall.

As per usual eyes fell to my beta, her white long hair drawing their attention. Her expression was also softer than mine. One good sniff and I knew my mate was close.

“Where is she?” I spoke through our link, beyond annoyed by them already.

“She is here. But first, pleasantries,” she reminded me. I cut my eyes at her, but knew she was right.

We were greeted outside of the Unity Hall as honored guests and then led inside. I smelled the alpha’s scent before I saw him. He and I never really saw eye to eye, personality differences.

“My king, welcome.” he greeted and bowed. I inclined my head slightly.

“Alpha Marshall.” I said in return. “All is well here?” I asked, but by the stern look on my face I hoped he knew his answer better be short.

“Of course, Evermane continues to thrive. Ah, and this is my son, Noah, he is to be alpha after me, your highness.” Marshall gestured for Noah who had just entered.

As he approached I caught a faint scent on the air that stirred my insides.

I had had enough of small talk.

“You know why I have come. Let’s not waste time,” I said.

Marshall swallowed loudly and led me through to the back of the building. The sight of the she-wolves always intimated me, not because of lust but from anticipation. She would be here, she had to be.

I felt my wolf stirring.

“Easy, now. Make sure to get a good look at everyone, sniff her out for us.” I told my wolf. We both hunger to find her.

We stared at each she-wolf and with each fail, I felt the pit in my stomach worsen. They would be suitable as one of my play things but none of them were worthy enough to be my mate. By the time I reached the end of the she-wolves presented to me, I had lost all patience. Jerking around, I cut my eyes at Marshall.

“These are all of the she-wolves you have to show?” I barked. He did well then to flinch at my tone.

“Uh, yes, they are all gathered here for you my king,” he said, looking genuinely confused.

“Nicolas,” Vera said through the link. “That beta there, he has a daughter as well,” she said.

I glance over at the alpha’s beta. He seemed to carry a hint of that smell, the smell that drew me here. His daughter had to be my mate and I would have her.

Turning back to Marshall I ordered him to provide the daughter.

“Of course, but she has bonded with my son here. She is officially his mate,” Marshall said.

I easily towered over him and stared down at him. Words weren’t needed, he fully understood me.

“Oscar, fetch her. Now,” Marshall ordered. The son, Noah, started to protest but a hiss from his father stopped him.

Pacing the space, the volume increasing as the failed she-wolves made their exits, I spoke just loud enough for those important enough to hear.

“As If I have time for games. Vera, does all the she-wolves not mean ALL?” I asked my second, before glancing directly at Marshall. “I am in no mood for your poor leadership Marshall. Bring her now! And you will do well to remember that as King, mated or not, I can determine who my Luna is. All means All.”

“Yes, my king. “

My mate was in Evermane and I would not leave without her.