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

something that I became painfully aware of as I became trapped between him and the

think I can manage that,"

completely alone, the way he looked

somehow devouring

could have sworn appeared darker for a

it was

"Make yourself at home."

back, releasing me, and quickly I walked around

myself become too comfortable around

room

the other day, the place was definitely some sort

larger than some

enough to host an elaborate party without feeling

but...well, the city isn’t exactly an

make do with the space we have

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

to the side as he watched me, slowly starting the process

yelled in surprise,

seem phased in any way though,

he said, as

want it

eyes caught sight of his chest as he continued unbuttoning,

seemed moulded around perfectly

would have expected to be hiding behind

I knew he was strong...but this? I

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

the shift?" he said, almost a little

asked me to prove

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

that in here, was he? And my mind immediately recalled the massacres I would wake up to

I

I need to lock you inside

much to my embarrassment.I was

make assumptions based on the

that knowledge...it

becoming lost in

when he appeared right in

instantly, a shiver ran through me

he said quietly, drawing

ever make me hurt you.I am the last person you will

wanted so badly to

to 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

ready?" he

took a step back

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

as I watched him shift

effortlessly until all that was left

wolf that stared at me knowingly, a look embedded within those familiar

feel even remotely afraid,

recognition

As though this felt...right.

him, moving until I was crouched right in front of

ground, presumably trying to make himself appear less

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

to trust that instinct...reaching out hesitantly to touch

mused aloud

me to continue feeling the different

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

really be something I can

go from blackouts and bloody murders to anything even close t o

disagreed with that

gave me a nod, confirming that this really was

chest ached

learn this," I

don’t want to be

lonely, thinking I was a freak all

seeing Kieran

could teach me and was willing to

honestly felt like the final piece of the puzzle

I had were apparently completely

Natural.

lies or nefarious

part of

if he had been telling 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

off guard by

had clearly proven already that he

he was back to his

turn," he said, walking over to

immediately made

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

a good idea for me to just jump

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