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

I stood, he towered over me, something that I became painfully aware of

I can manage

alone, the way

he were somehow devouring me with his

have sworn appeared

it was just the

"Make yourself at home."

me, and quickly I

not to let myself become too comfortable

room

day, the place was definitely

than some

an elaborate party without feeling even

against doing anything like this indoors but...well, the city isn’t exactly an ideal

have to make do with the space we have

to look at him, I had to fight the urge t o just spin right back around

the side as he watched me, slowly starting

you doing?" I yelled in surprise,

seem phased in any way though, his lip twitching

shirt," he said, as if it were

it

he continued unbuttoning, his actions

seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted

would have expected to be hiding

he was strong...but this? I

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

he said, almost

me to prove

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

going to do that in here, was he? And my mind immediately recalled the

I quickly

need to lock you

laugh, much to my embarrassment.I was

I could only make assumptions based on the knowledge

that knowledge...it wasn’t

lost

lost that I didn’t even notice when he appeared right

instantly, a shiver

said quietly,

absolutely nothing in this world that could ever make me hurt you.I am the

a part of me wanted so

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

was done, there was a semi-large open space i n

ready?"

back cautiously and

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

in shocked silence as I watched him

effortlessly until all that was left

that stared at me knowingly,

like running or feel even remotely

I felt recognition from deep within

As though this felt...right.

moving until I was crouched

the ground, presumably trying to make himself

in control right now? Would this wolf move if he instructed it to? He looked at me as if he knew exactly who I was, knew exactly

I decided to trust that

mused

allowing me to continue

didn’t feel the same sparks as when I touched his skin, I still

really be something I

think that I could go from blackouts and bloody murders to anything even close t

Kieran apparently disagreed with that

head and gave me a nod, confirming

ached

to learn this," I

to be

felt so lonely, thinking I was a freak

Kieran like this

willing to help me

final piece of

problems I had were apparently

Natural.

lies or nefarious

part of being this

he had been telling me the truth so far… did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then stood up, shaking

by the sudden movement but tried not

he had no

he did finally emerge again, he was back

turn," he said, walking

this immediately

no.I thought that there’d be like...exercises or something to do first.Some way to practice safely," I argued, slowly getting back up to my

don’t think it’s a good idea for me to just jump right in and

to just do it.I'll be right here to help