GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 29 Girl Talk

*Riley*

My head was pounding. The sun was up, but even with the clouds filling up my window, it was still too bright. I groaned asI tried to remember how I got to my bed last night.

My face flushed when I remembered lips crushing against my own. That wasn’t a dream, I had really kissed Nicolas again. My face got even hotter when I recalled him rejecting me because I was in heat. Kicking my legs in the air, I thrashed around my bed in embarrassment. I had said some pretty flirtatious things to him and having them flash across my face was too much to bare.

After dying from the memory of last night I finally sat up. He hadn’t slept in the room again. Though being rejected sucked, I couldn’t help but be thankful to him.

He could have used my being in heat and him being the Alpha King to his advantage and took me. Last night, my body definitely wanted him, but my head and my heart weren’t ready to give myself to him yet. My heart actually jumped at his thoughtfulness. I would have hated waking up beside him, knowing he took my body with little regard for my

head.

He was a better man than I thought. No one had ever put my best. interest first, actually if I were being honest, no one ever even cared.

My heart suddenly jumped again and I had to place my hand over it to keep it from jumping right out of my chest.

Smiling, grateful to Nicolas, I allowed my gaze to linger around the

room. My smile quickly dropped when I saw the time.

“D a n it,” I groaned. I rush to the bathroom room and take the quickest shower in history, making sure to get all my good bits and my hair, I exited dropping the towel as I reach my bed.

It wasn’t hard to find my outfit, all I had to do was make sure it was loose enough to fight in. Although training wasn’t everyday, I was starting to think I had enough strength and energy to do it everyday. It brought me joy and I could use a lifetime of that.

Glancing around my room, not wanting to leave too much for the maid to do, I nodded my approval. I hurried down the steps, greeted a few of the maids and s e r a t s before heading for the main door to exit the house.

I threw open the door and jumped back when a figure stood before me, hand raised,

“Oh Mya, you scared the life out of me!” I gasped.

She chuckled and lowered her knocking hand and stepped back to give me space.

“Well, I was going to knock,” she laughed. I joined in, though if I were being honest, there was a little voice in the back of my head screaming a warning at me.

How did she know where I lived?

“I brought you some breakfast. I know everyone likes to s k i p breakfast, but it really is the most important meal of the day.” she said, handing me a covered bowl. From the smell of it, there were fruits, eggs and some kind of meat. It smelled good, but maybe it was because I was in heat these past few days, but my stomach wasn’t in the mood to eat.

Chapter 29 Girl Talk

“Thanks,” I said instead of rejecting it. Thankfully she didn’t insist on making me eat it in front of her.

“I’m heading to the training hall, if you want to join,” I asked her. She smiled and waved for me to lead the way.

We were quiet for a bit but just as the hall came into view she giggled drawing my attention. I looked at her and found her cheeks to be a bit flushed.

“Are you ok?” I asked.

“Oh yeah, uh, but you might want to uh…” she said, gesturing to her neck and then to mind. I grabbed my neck, nearly choking myself as I knew just what she was talking about. She laughed when she heard me gag from how rough I was with myself.

“Did the Alpha King give you that?” Mya boldly asked. My eyes jerked towards her, she was smiling but it wasn’t a humorous one.

I wanted to confide in her and tell her the truth, but since Nicolas had yet to announce who I was, I thought I better not.

“He’s allowed me to stay here as his guest. Just his guest, he is very generous,” I said. Then to change the topic, “Think they will have us teamed up again? I might be ready for you this time.”

She allowed the topic change as she laughed and gave me a playful shove but she still eyed me closely.

We were indeed paired up again. However, this time, her blows seemed to hurt less and hit less often as well. I moved faster, my footsteps were stable and sure. My strength when I kicked her sent her falling back harder and further. Whatever animal style she adapted, I was able to maneuver and gain the upper hand. When she landed hard

Chapter 29 Girl Talk

from a flip over my shoulder I couldn’t believe I had won.

She panted and she tried to catch her breath. I fought the urge to jump for joy. Instead I reached down and helped her up.

“When you s

you said

you were ready for me, I wasn’t expecting this,” she

groaned with a smile.

“Me either. I must have woken up on the right side of the bed,” I chuckled.

Together we went to rest on the bench as the next duo took to the mats.

“Nice moves Mya, you have your father’s style. He’d be proud,” said a she-wolf as she passed by.

Mya thanked her and tossed a towel around her sweaty neck.

“Your father taught you to fight like that?” I asked her. She wrinkled.

her nose.

“No, but I heard the stories of the way he dabbled with other animal movements. I was raised by my stepfather after my birth parents were killed. He taught me how to land on my feet,”

“Does you stepfather live around here? Is he at the palace?” I asked, wanting to know more about my new friend.

“Nah, he’s close but doesn’t care much for this kind of place. I wanted to feel some connection to my parents so once I was an adult I came to work here. Get training lessons while I’m at it,” she chuckled.

“That’s cool that your stepfather doesn’t get jealous about you wanting to feel close to your parents. He sounds like a great guy,” I reply, smiling at her. She smiled back and nodded.

“I hope you get to meet him soon,” she said, catching my eye. My smile widened as I agreed with that idea. We turned our attention to the

fight.