GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 9: Bitter Mercy 

*Riley* 

I stared down at my father at that moment, barely recognizing the man. A man who never showed me an ounce of love or affection. Tears stung my eyes as I recounted the countless times I had begged, pleaded for him to show me mercy for a shred of sanctuary under his wing. All the times he had callously denied me. 

Then my eyes met with Liam’s. “Please, Riley.” He was staring right back up at me, pleading for her case as well. My anger subsided at his worried expression. While my father was a terrible man, my brother had his moments. I loved him for that. 

“Please, Vera, please stop!” I called out to the Beta for Liam’s sake. I didn’t have any power at all to use the commanding tone. Nothing but this new title of being the mate to the lycan king and I hoped that was enough to stop the punishment. 

The wolf stopped at my request, though she was still glaring towards the beaten up she–wolf. I grimaced at the bruises covering all over my sister’s face. I would have to apologize if I ever saw Ava again. The guilt would rot inside me if I didn’t, since this was my fault. 

“Why should I?“I looked at the Beta in surprise at her angry tone. 

My mate looked at her with furrowed brows as well. Slightly upset that she would use such a harsh tone with me. 

My voice shaky from all the mixed emotions running through my body. “She’s still my sister…” 

Chapter 9 Bitter Mercy 

Vera snorted at her explanation, mocking my plea. “Your sister, is she? She’s never really treated you as a sister, though, has she?” 

Red flashed over my che*ks in embarrassment. I didn’t want to admit anything about my family’s dynamics. I didn’t want anyone to be in trouble for something that came out of my mouth. It couldn’t live with the knowledge that someone was scarred and bruised for something I had said. No matter what they did in the past. 

But as my gaze fell upon my sister’s cowering form, I knew Vera spoke nothing but the truth. With a pained frown, I resigned myself to admitting it – proof that I understood their transgressions yet still chose to show mercy. 

“Since Mom passed, Ava, you have been ruthless. You bullied me every day that passed. It must have made you feel better about yourself, I don’t know. But it wasn’t only you, was it Ava?” I looked back at my defeated sister on the floor. While her face was bruised, I could still see the flesh that matched my own. 

I shrank back, suddenly feeling small and vulnerable as I admitted these painful truths before the lycan king himself. My gaze dropped to the floor, unable to meet his piercing stare. “Without a wolf of my own. I was utterly defenseless against their cruel treatment,” I whispered brokenly. 

A bitter, incredulous chuckle escaped my lips as I turned towards Noah, the new alpha who had utterly betrayed me. “You were supposed to love me, protect me,” I cried, tears pricking my eyes at the memories. “But you allowed her to steal the last shreds of my happiness. Sleeping with her and discarding me like I was nothing!” 

Noah’s guilt was plain on his face, but I barely registered it, so consumed was I by the torrent of emotions I’d held in for so long finally being unleashed. My gaze slid to Nicolas, who had gone utterly 

Chapter 9 Butter Mercy 

still beside me, a murderous look on his face as he pieced together the full extent of my suffering. 

“He was your boyfriend?” I could see that the lycan king’s dark gaze was solely directed right at Noah. 

Vera watched the display with a satisfied smirk, her earlier anger towards my traitorous family clearly vindicated by my passionate outpouring. I knew she itched to dole out the cruelest punishments. 

Part of me recoiled at the thought, still loving my wretched family despite it all and I quelled the darker side of me that demanded justice, revenge for the years of torment I had endured at their hands. 

I felt my own anger completely subside knowing my next words could spell life or death for those in front of me. 

Noah had already lost his father and his fated mate had been beat up all in the same day. No matter the fact that he led me on and cheated on me. Karma had hit him hard enough already. Not to mention all the years he had protected me. 

“As for you, Dad,” I turned his way next. His eyes were wide when he realized that I would air out his di*ty laundry next. “You never really cared that this was happening, did you? You never defended me. Or even tried to punish her when I would come to you crying.” 

My father looked down as he was called out for his lacking fatherly. instincts. His checks also flushed at the embarrassment. I wondered for a moment if it was because he was being called out or if he was actually upset with himself about the lack of action as my father. 

Vera looked down at him with a smirk at the conviction of his wrongdoing. It was still obvious, though, that her eyes seared with a simmering anger lurking just underneath the surface. 

Mixed emotions raged within me once again. I didn’t know whether I should be happy to have someone to defend my feelings so faithfully or worried that those on the other end of their anger were people I still somewhat cared for.. 

I watched on the edge of my seat. 

Nicolas watched as well from his relaxed position. He was clearly eager to hear what I had to say. I could see him deciding what punishment fit for who. It was terrifying, no matter how handsome his face seemed to be. I looked back at the bowed people in front of us. 

“What do we do to the wolves that bully the lycan king’s mate?” I flinched, turning back to my new mate beside me. We locked eyes, but it was clear as he spoke that his next words were to Vera. 

“Death is the only fitting punishment for such heinous crimes against your mate, my king,” she stated coldly. 

A chill ran down my spine at her words. As much as part of me cried out for the brutal justice they deserved, I couldn’t bear the thought of being the reason for my family’s execution – no matter how wretched they had been. 

“Wait, stop!” I cried out desperately as Nicolas rose with deadly intent. I tried to stand as well, but my legs buckled from my earlier battering and I nearly crumpled to the floor. “I didn’t tell you all this so they could be killed. I know what they did was unforgivable, but they’re still my family.” 

I steadied myself, breathing heavily as dizziness washed over me from my abrupt movements. “I don’t want to live with their blood on my hands,” I pleaded, meeting Nicolas‘ piercing stare imploringly. 

For a long, tense moment, he held my gaze, his jaw clenched in 

Chapter Bitter Mercy 

displeasure at my demand for mercy. Then, finally, he gave a curt nod, acknowledging my choice. 

Vera looked mutinous, but remained silent in the face of her king’s decision. 

“If we are to forgo their punishment, we must return to the castle at once,” she growled. “There are many matters requiring your attention now that you’ve found your mate.” 

Nicolas sighed and turned back towards me. Before I could react, he swiftly scooped me up in his arms, cradling me against his chest just as he had when carrying me here. 

“If I go back, we go back together.”