GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 52: Healing Scars

*Riley*

Things were different after Nicolas left. It felt like he took a part of my heart with him, and I couldn’t wait for him to get back. I wanted him close, to be able to reach out and touch him whenever I wanted to. I was looking forward to his return.

Still, it was refreshing to have a good start. Strangely, I was happy that I had a positive effect on the Evermane pack. Everything so

had enda badly between us, that I didn’t think being in the same room with each other would’ve ever been possible.

Although it could have been under better circumstances, I was glad I could use my abilities to help the pack. I wanted to do more for my people, so I joined the pack healers, helping to treat the wounded

warriors.

And there were a lot of wounded warriors. I had tried to get the image of the blood on the door out of my head, but it has proved to be almost impossible. Watching how weak and beaten down they all were, I wondered how severe the pain was.

I made my way to the infirmary, medicine in hand, and two massive guards following behind me. I have Nicolas to thank for that one.

The sight of the wounded warriors still broke my heart. But it only

Chapter 52: Healing Scars

fueled the determination I had to help as much as possible.

Aaron is usually my first patient, so I head straight to his cot. His eyes are closed in pain as I approach him. The wound on his leg is slowly healing, but it still looks raw and angry. I carefully apply medicine, trying not to cause him any more discomfort.

“You shouldn’t be doing that, you know?” Liam’s judgemental voice. startles me.

versation on multiple occasions,

I sighed. We’ve had this same

every time he sees me treating the wounded. But I had to help, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

“You’ve said this a thousand times Liam. I’m not going to stop. helping.” I replied firmly.

“You’re the Lycan Luna. It’s not appropriate,” he argued.

I meet his gaze with determination, not willing to let him win. “It’s nothing. I want to do this, and that’s all that matters. This is the last I’ll hear on this topic.”

He raised his hand in defense. “We need your help after all. Thank you, Riley.”

I nodded. They were indeed in desperate need of my help. But could I change that much? Probably not, but I was sure as hell going to try.

Rebuilding the pack was going to be difficult. They had lost so much. And it seemed that their spirits were beaten down too, as if they were afraid the hunters would come back. I thought so too, because it seemed they had a large purpose, a purpose they hadn’t yet fulfilled.

It was a fear Nicolas had too. And as a result, I now have two large wolves following me everywhere I go. It made me uncomfortable, knowing that two people were watching my every move at every given moment. Well, if they are here right now, I should at least put them to good use.

I turned to face them. “Reid, Anya, please join Liam in assisting the wounded.”

“But we were instructed by Alpha Nicolas to stay by your side at all times,” Reid protested, his expression stiff.

I frowned. “You can still keep your eyes on me while you attend to the wounded. We need all the help we can get.”

“Alpha Nicolas gave us clear instructions…” Reid protested again. Which made me wonder… Did Anya not speak?

I wasn’t having it. “And I am your Luna and I am giving you clear instructions. Go. Help. The. Wounded.”

They obeyed without another word, joining the pack healers in treating the wounded. I finish up with Aaron and move on to the next bed…

33.57%

Haley’s.

I get straight to work. This isn’t about me or any of the feelings I might have toward any of the people from my past. It’s about the well being of the Evermane pack.

In full healer mode, I clean the injury on her thigh before applying the medicine gently.

“Riley,” she whispered, turning to face me. “I’m sorry.”

I say nothing, picking up the bandage and wrapping it around her thigh.

“I know I did a lot of awful things to you, without any reason,” she continued, wincing slightly. “But seeing how you’ve put that behind you to take care of me, makes me so ashamed of myself. And I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”

I pause for a moment. She was right, I didn’t deserve that. But was I ready to forgive her? I wasn’t sure. I knew I was ready to move on, but forgiveness was a whole different ball game.

Still unsure how to respond, I quickly finish up with Haley and move on to the next patient.

I move to the next bed, my mind still reeling from the interaction with Haley. The stench of blood hit me long before I saw her.

Chapter 52: Healing Scars

I stop in front of a she-wolf with bad injuries. There’s a purple bruise on her stomach, her face, her chest. The strong urge to make her injuries disappear, but how? How could I possibly do that?

“Luna Riley, I…” she rasped, her voice barely a whisper.

I sat beside her, ignoring the rising bile in my throat. “Don’t speak,” I whispered, my voice firm against the tremor that ran through me. “You’re going to be okay.”

“Thank you,” she whispered.

A tender smile spreads across my lips as I gently apply medicine to her injured shoulder.

Tears welled in her eyes, spilling over freely.

“I was so scared,” she choked out, the pain in her voice obvious. “They… they came at night. The hunters were relentless, and my parents…”

No! Please, no.

“My parents did their best to protect me. They didn’t make it, they sacrificed themselves for me. They told me to run… but I couldn’t. I had never disobeyed them before, and because I was in the way now they… it was all my fault.”

Chapter 52-Healing Sears.

“You survived,” I said softly, my voice h o a r . “You’re so strong, and that’s what matters,” I added, hoping it would comfort her.

As she told her story, a deep sense of compassion and determination began to stir within me. A sudden fluttering sensation bloomed in my chest, spreading warmth throughout my limbs. My palm began to tingle with a strange energy, and when I looked down, I saw a faint white light shimmering into existence.

I didn’t know what it meant, but I hoped it could be something that would heal her. With an eager desire to help, I closed my eyes and placed my hand on her wounded stomach, focusing all of my intentions. on healing her injuries.

After a moment, I opened my eyes and was stunned to see that all of her injuries had vanished. It was as if they were never there to begin with. Overwhelmed by emotion, I couldn’t believe that I possessed such incredible healing abilities.

“That’s our special ability,” my wolf whispered in my mind. “We have our mate, Nicolas, to thank for that.” And just like that, she went back to sleep.

Feeling both amazed and exhausted from exerting so much energy, turned to see the pack healers beaming at me. “Good job, Riley,” Healer Laryssa praised with a small smile.

I smiled to myself. I was indeed special after all.

I

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