A Gift from the Goddess

Over the next few days, I found myself feeling anxious.

Under the constant watchful eye of both my father and Gavin, I continued to play along with my usual daily routine.

Acting as if nothing was amiss.

Doing all the training that was asked of me.

But, inside, I was thinking back to that keycard.

The one I’d hidden under my mattress.

Waiting for exactly the right moment for when I’d be able to use it.

...A moment I found finally presented itself on the night of the third day.

With my father expected to be staying overnight elsewhere for a late meeting and Gavin only working until seven o’clock, I saw an opportunity to take advantage of the soon-to-be quiet house.

And I devised a plan to leave as soon as the sky grew dark.

A few hours later, I was slowly scaling to the ground from my bedroom window.

This being something I did with ease and without being seen.

And though I never thought to use my abilities to go behind my father’s back, I certainly couldn't deny that it came in handy.

Soon, before much time had passed at all, I found myself facing the door I’d been thinking of so incessantly.

The door I’d been wondering about every day, contemplating all of the things I could possibly discover once I entered through it.

A door that might just possibly change my life forever.

And I stared at it.

...And stared.

......And stared.

And I kept staring, even while my hand reached out several times to knock, failing every time to go through with it.

..I’d been so certain in my decision and come all this way, only to—.

But then, suddenly, the door opened in front of me.

"_.Are you just going to stand out there all night?" came a voice from inside.

It was his voice.I recognised it well now.

"I ah...," I started, feeling a little awkward for being caught.

"I’m sorry.I just...I—."

"It’s okay.No need to be sorry," he said, his face then appearing from the other side of the door.

Instantly, that same effect started to hit me, a reassurance spreading throughout as his presence held me.

"I get it.If you need more time to think, I can just leave this open.I’m not pressuring you to “

 "No!" I quickly blurted out.

"No, it’s okay.Everything is okay...I’m ready."

I came here with determination to get answers.I couldn’t back out now.

Whatever happened tonight, at least I could say that I tried.

My mistake would only lie in wanting to hope for a better life.

"Okay...well, come on in," he said.

I was ready to step through the door but was stopped a s he held a hand out to me.

Just as he had done so once before.

However, the last time he’d done that, I had been too overwhelmed to reciprocate.

Too many thoughts and questions holding me back, so unsure of everything that had been happening at the time.

Now, when I looked at his outstretched hand, I sawa possible beginning.

"T just need you to trust me," he had said to me that day.

Well, I couldn’t be sure if I was ready for that just yet, but I was at least willing to believe.

Believe that there was a chance of this being real...if only for a moment...And so I cautiously reached out...hesitating once or twice as I moved...before, finally, those same sparks tingled along my skin in greeting upon contact.

"I'm really glad you came back, Raven," he said, his voice low and eyes so intense.

And, instantly, I felt as my cheeks began to burn ever s o slightly.

..Clearly, I would need to be careful in more ways than one around him.I could see how easy it would be to become distracted from the mission at hand.

"This doesn’t mean I trust you," I clarified.

"And I… I'd like some sort of proof.I’m risking a lot by coming here and I feel it’s only fair that you prove you are what you say you are."

front door and closed it behind me, his

over me, something that I became painfully

I can manage that,"

the way he

somehow devouring me with

I could have sworn appeared darker

was just

"Make yourself at home."

finally stepped back, releasing me, and quickly I walked around

myself become too comfortable

room was

the other day, the place was definitely

it felt larger than some people’s

elaborate party without feeling

city isn’t exactly an

make do

what? But as I turned to look at him, I had to fight the urge t o

as he watched

in surprise, unable to stop myself

any way though, his lip twitching

favorite shirt," he said, as

want it

of his chest as he continued unbuttoning, his actions undeterred

skin that was revealed seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted

sight I never would have expected to be hiding behind his

this? I swallowed and quickly

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

he said, almost a

to prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

my mind immediately recalled the

I quickly

to lock you inside

to

assumptions based on the knowledge

knowledge...it

the ground, becoming lost in

that I didn’t even notice when he appeared

instantly, a shiver ran

quietly,

nothing in this world that could ever make

a part of me wanted so badly

start pushing couches and other pieces of furniture out the way, clearing an area

time he was done, there was a semi-large open space i n which he stood

ready?"

took a step back cautiously and nodded

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

I watched him shift forms

until all that

that stared at me knowingly, a look embedded

or feel even remotely afraid, as I thought

I felt recognition from

As though this felt...right.

I started to walk towards him, moving until I was crouched

the ground, presumably trying to make himself appear less

to? He looked at me as if he knew exactly who I was, knew exactly what he was

I decided to trust that

I mused aloud to

closed upon contact, allowing me to continue feeling

same sparks as when I touched his

this really be something I can

go from blackouts and bloody

apparently disagreed with

raised his head and gave me a nod, confirming that this

ached

learn

don’t want to be so

lonely, thinking I was a freak all

seeing Kieran

and was willing to help me learn about

the final piece of the puzzle was

had were

Natural.

or

purely a part of being this

me the truth so far… did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then stood up, shaking his fur and running off into a room I

off guard by the sudden movement but tried not to

that he had

did finally emerge again, he was back

said, walking over

this immediately made me

thought that there’d be like...exercises or something to do first.Some way to practice safely," I argued, slowly getting back

think it’s a good idea for me

just do it.I'll be right here to help talk you through it.Nothing bad