GIFTED RILEY by Lacy Mierr

Chapter 78: Through The Darkness

*Nicolas*

There was something on my chest. I couldn’t see what it was but it somehow felt familiar. The weight shifted and a s**b pierced into the darkness. Someone was crying on me.

I knew why this figure felt so natural to me, it was Riley, it had to be her.

I wanted to tell her that everything was going to be ok, but moving hurt, thinking hurt.

I remembered breaking through the link just before finding myself in this total darkness, just me and my wolf wandering around aimlessly. I knew I had taken a beating and I knew death was knocking on my door. What I didn’t know was why I hadn’t opened the door yet. What was I waiting for?

It felt like an eternity I was in darkness until suddenly I felt a warm embrace and a bright light. Not the light I had pictured that would bring me to my end, but a different kind, a healing light.

I felt the light wash over me, my aches softening and my open wounds. sealing up, but then it was gone and I was back in darkness again. Minutes, days, hours, or years had passed, I couldn’t tell but my wolf was getting agitated.

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Chapter 7: Through The Darkness.

“We have to wake up,” my wolf said. I grunted at him, annoyed by his continuous commands. Of course, I knew that but I felt like I was running around in circles unable to find an exit.

“Our mate needs us,” he continued.

I finally snapped.

“You think I don’t know that!” I barked. That light that had healed me was gone and no matter how hard I searched for it, there was just nothing.

With her on top of me, my urgency increased. I hated hearing her cry, and knowing I was the cause of it p**d me off.

“She cries because she is alone,” my wolf said.

“You can hear her?” I asked. He growled.

“Kind of. Her wolf calls to me,” he said.

“Her wolf? She found her?” I asked joy in my voice.

“Yes, and they don’t want to raise our cub without us,” he said. “She has suffered a lot to save us, we can’t let her effort be for nothing,” my wolf said, clearly annoyed at me.

Through The Darkness.

But I wouldn’t worry about that. my ears stopped working the moment. he said that Riley was pregnant. She was going to have my child. I had to wake up.

Finally, a flicker of light caught my attention. I raced towards the light. and fell into it.

“Vera, why did you come back? Leave me, just leave me,” I heard Riley cry out.

“Riley please, think of your cub,” Vera said, her voice full of concern.

“I’m not using any healing,” she sobbed.

“Maybe not consciously, but in your pain your magic is seeking to ease it.” I heard her say.

“What are you talking about?” Riley asked.

“Vera,” I called her through the link.

“Nicolas?” she questioned me.

“Who else would it be?” I said teasingly.

“I’m glad you have time for jokes. Your mate is out here driving everyone crazy about you,” she said.

Chapter 7 Through The Darkness.

Hearing that made my chest puff with pride.

“I’m trying to find my way back, it might be easier if you stopped talking though,” I said.

“Oh. ok. I’ll remember this alpha,” she said, then broke off the link.

“Just go Vera. I won’t use magic. I just want to stay here and cry until I have to get up and focus on this cub I’ll be raising alone because their father won’t wake up!” she wailed the last part and dropped back down on my chest..

I wanted to hold her and let her know she was going to be ok, but even just cracking my eyes open seemed like an impossible task. Still, I managed it. With her lying beside me, her head tilted up towards my face, I saw her lips trembling as she failed to keep her crying under some kind of control. Her nose was as red as her checks but as I continued up her face I frowned when I saw the gauze bandages over her eyes. What had happened there?

“Well, are you going to say something?” came Vera’s voice through the

bond.

I ignored her as I stared down at Riley holding me as she cried. Even like this, she was beautiful. I hated that she was crying, but knowing it was for me and not because of me made my heart jump. This was more than just a fated bond, this was her, and this was love. She cried for me out of love.

Chapter 28 Through The Darkness

I wanted to reach for her, but all I could manage was a little finger wag against her leg, but it was enough..

She gasped and leaned on my chest, her bandaged face looking down

at me.

“Nicolas?” she whispered.

I debated answering through the mind link but wanted to try speaking.

“Who else would it be?” I asked.

“You b a s t a d, what took you so long?” she cried out and found my lips. The kiss was short but vital. I had so many questions I wanted to ask her, but having her in my arms was enough for now.

“Just like the alpha king to do things in his own time,” Vera teased.

Still very stiff, I managed to shift my fingers around to extend just my middle one. She chuckled.

“What’s happening, why is she laughing?” Riley asked, having not seen the middle finger gesture.

“Just Vera being Vera,” I choked out.

“Rest now,” she ordered me.

Chapter 28 Through)

“I’ve been telling her that since we got back and now she’s using it on you. Good luck,” Vera said before turning to leave.

Riley hulled beside me, still turned as if she could see the door. She was rubbing my chest absentmindedly as she frowned at the door.

“I have been resting,” she mumbled. Her pouting sounded so cute I somehow found the strength to pull her closer to me.

“We rest together.” I said. She settled in beside me and I fell asleep with her body pressed against me.