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."

door and closed it behind me,

me, something that I became painfully aware

can manage

completely alone, the way he looked

somehow devouring

that I could have sworn

it was just the

"Make yourself at home."

releasing me, and quickly I walked around him into

not to let myself become too comfortable

the room was

other day, the place was definitely

larger than some people’s houses

an elaborate party without feeling even remotely

isn’t exactly an ideal place to do something

do with the space we have

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

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

doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable

in any way though, his

shirt," he said,

don’t want it

sight of his chest as he continued unbuttoning, his actions undeterred from

was revealed seemed moulded

I never would have expected to

this? I swallowed and quickly tried

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

said, almost

asked me to prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

he? And my mind immediately

that...dangerous?" I

lock

immediately made him laugh, much to my embarrassment.I was here

could only make assumptions based on the knowledge

that knowledge...it

glared at the ground, becoming lost in thought

notice when he

instantly, a shiver ran through me

quietly, drawing in

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

of me wanted so badly to believe

to start pushing couches and other pieces of furniture

there was a semi-large open space

ready?" he

a step back cautiously and nodded my

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

shocked silence as I watched him shift forms in

and transforming effortlessly until all that was left was

large dark brown wolf that stared at me knowingly, a look embedded within

feel even

recognition

As though this felt...right.

until I was crouched right

on the ground, presumably trying to make

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

trust that instinct...reaching out hesitantly to

soft," I mused

closed upon contact, allowing me to continue feeling

feel the same sparks as when I touched his skin, I still

be something I can

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

apparently disagreed with

and gave me a nod, confirming that this really was something

ached with

want to learn this,"

want to be so

felt so lonely, thinking I

seeing Kieran like

could teach me and was willing to help

piece

problems I had were apparently completely

Natural.

or nefarious

part of

really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then stood up, shaking

little off guard by the sudden

already that he had no intention of

he did finally emerge again, he was back to his normal self and tugging on

said,

immediately made

to do first.Some way to practice safely," I

me to

to learn other than to just do it.I'll be right here to help talk you