GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 53: At All Costs

*Nicolas*

As I revved the engine and pulled out of my driveway, I snuck a glance at Riley’s reflection in the rearview mirror. Her innocent smile made. my heart swell with love and pride.

I couldn’t wait to come back to her. I meant what I said I couldn’t wait to tell the world that she was my Luna. It was about time anyway.

Thoughts of her consumed me as I drove towards the palace. Every moment we had spent together replayed in my mind like a movie – every kiss, every laugh, every touch. I missed her more than words could express, and I was determined to be by her side once again.

A deep sigh escaped my lips as I thought about Vera’s promise of information on Mya. Ever since I saw her with Riley, something about her set off alarm bells in my head. I had to make sure that everyone around my Luna had good intentions, and if that meant digging into Mya’s past, then so be it.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about my mate. I hope Riley is okay. I hope I didn’t make a terrible mistake by leaving her in the Evermane pack when the hunters could very well return, and with that weasel no less.

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He’s a terrible man and an even worse alpha, and if he had a good head on his shoulders, he would protect my Luna with his life, and keep his dirty paws off her.

Reid and Anya better be doing the job I instructed them to do. I didn’t want to see a scratch on my mate’s skin when I returned, if not they would have me to deal with. I didn’t trust anyone but myself to protect her. But for now, my soldiers would have to..

My grip tightened on the steering wheel as I pulled into my garage. I needed to focus on the present now. There were urgent matters that required my attention.

I didn’t have to wait long, the sound of my car engine had barely died. down when I noticed Vera standing ominously in front of the palace. gates. Her hand was discreetly behind her back, but even from a

distance, I could tell she was holding something. Any normal person would have been intimidated by her stance, but I am no ordinary man. I am the Lycan King.

“Alpha,” she greeted me with a simple nod before leading me inside.

“You have news for me. What did you find?” I asked as we made our way through familiar hallways.

She handed me some papers, and I furrowed my eyebrows as I went through them. “What is this?”

“All the information I could find on her,” she replied, pushing open the

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heavy doors to my office. Taking my seat at the large mahogany desk, I scanned through the documents in my hands. They were surprisingly few, considering how little we knew about her.

This confirmed that she indeed had a lot to hide judging by how little. information we could find on her.

“Mya was only sixteen when she came to the palace. She was an orphan with no known family. There doesn’t seem to be anything out of the ordinary about her. She appears quite normal,” Vera reported.

But I knew better. My gut told me there was more to this woman than what meets the eye. As the Lycan King, it’s my job to uncover all secrets and keep my pack safe from any potential threats. And something about Mya seemed off…but what exactly was it?

“What about her outings? Where does she go when we’re not here? Who does she visit?” I pressed, my voice filled with worry and suspicion.

Vera handed me a stack of photos. My heart races as I flip through them, searching for any sign of deceit or betrayal. But all I see are shots of Mya in various public locations, surrounded by people and appearing to do nothing suspicious.

“Since you’ve both been gone, Mya has left the palace frequently,” Vera explained. “She visited the gym, cafes, and other crowded places. It just seemed like she was having fun, and wasn’t doing anything too suspicious.”

Chapter 53 At All Cost

I stared at the pictures in front of me, my mind racing. Vera was right, it did look like she was innocent. But something still felt off. Too strategic, too planned. It looked like she knew we were watching, and she was trying to throw us off her scent.

“I think there’s something else,” I said firmly, my instincts telling me there’s more to this.

“Yes, Alpha.” Vera nodded. “I’ll keep searching. If you think there’s something, I’ll find it.”

Whatever this mysterious issue was that had been plaguing our pack, I was going to get to the bottom of it. And if I find out Mya was involved in what has been happening, she would have me to deal with.

“So, you finally let Riley spread her wings, huh?” Vera remarked casually.

I met her gaze, confused. “What do you mean?”

“You came back alone, didn’t you? I didn’t think there was a world where you would leave Riley alone in the Evermane pack,” she explained with a knowing look.

“I didn’t exactly want to.”

“She has changed you.”

Yes, she has. She’s my mate for a reason after all.

“Where’s my mother?” I asked, changing the subject.

Vera picked up the papers she handed me previously. “In her room. You know how she loves her solitude.”

“Thank you. Let me know if you find anything.” I nodded at her and made my way to my mother’s quarters. I knew Mother would be worried, so the least I could do was to put her mind at ease.

I spotted my mother standing near the window, her arms folded and her gaze fixed on the soldiers paroling the grounds outside.

“Mother,” I said, bringing her attention to me.

A warm smile spread across her face as she turned to me and pulled me into a tight embrace. “I missed you. I’m so glad you’re back”

“I missed you too,” I replied, returning her tight embrace.

Concern suddenly stretched over her features. She looked over my shoulder as if she was expecting someone else to walk into the room.

“Where’s Riley? Why isn’t she back with you?” she asked.

“I needed to attend to something urgent, and she needed to stay back

Chapter 51 At All Costs

and help the pack. She’s doing the right thing and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

“There’s something different… the look in your eyes, the way you’re talking about her…”

“I marked her,” I said simply, waiting for my mother’s reaction.

I waited, but she said nothing. Instead, she walked over to her vanity and opened a drawer, retrieving a delicate crown adorned with jewels. She handed it to me with a gentle smile.

“I hope to one day pass this down to Riley,” she said, pride and love evident in her voice.