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."

and closed it behind me, his gaze never

I stood, he towered over me, something that I became painfully aware of as I became trapped between him and

can manage

alone, the way he looked at me

were somehow devouring me

that I could have sworn

maybe it was just the

"Make yourself at home."

me, and quickly I walked around him into the

myself become too comfortable

room was

I'd suspected the other day, the place was definitely some

felt larger than some

host an elaborate party without feeling

city isn’t exactly an ideal

just have to make do with the

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

side as he watched me, slowly starting

doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable to stop myself

didn’t seem phased in any way though, his lip

he said, as if

it

as he continued unbuttoning, his actions undeterred

seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted muscles

have expected

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

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

said,

me to prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

my mind immediately recalled

I quickly

need to lock you inside

to my

make assumptions based on the

knowledge...it wasn’t

glared at the ground, becoming lost in thought over my

that I didn’t even notice when he appeared right in front

instantly, a shiver

quietly, drawing in my

ever make me hurt you.I

me wanted so badly

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

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

ready?"

took a step back cautiously and nodded

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

as I watched him shift forms in a

all that was left

that stared at me knowingly, a look embedded

running or feel even remotely afraid, as

recognition from deep within

As though this felt...right.

I started to walk towards him, moving until I

he laid down on the ground, presumably trying to make

this wolf move if he instructed it to? He looked at me as if he knew exactly who I

I decided to trust that instinct...reaching out hesitantly

mused aloud

allowing me to continue feeling

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

really be something

seemed impossible to think that I could go from blackouts and bloody murders to

disagreed

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

ached with

want to learn this," I

want to be so afraid

always felt so lonely, thinking I was

Kieran

me and was willing to help me

the final piece

problems I had were

Natural.

lies or nefarious

part of being this

mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then stood up, shaking his fur

by the sudden movement

that he had no

he was back to his normal

he said,

immediately made

way to practice safely," I argued, slowly getting back up

for me

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