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, his gaze never leaving

became painfully aware of as I became trapped between

can

were completely alone, the way he looked at me

if he were somehow

have sworn appeared

was just

"Make yourself at home."

and quickly I walked around him

to let myself become too comfortable

room

suspected the other day, the place was definitely some sort of

it felt larger than

elaborate party

city isn’t exactly an ideal place to do something where people might see,"

to make do with

at him, I had to fight the urge

side as he watched me,

in surprise, unable to stop

in any way though, his

he said, as

it

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

that was revealed seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted

never would have expected to be hiding behind

he was strong...but this? I swallowed and quickly tried

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

the shift?" he said, almost a little

prove

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

he? And my mind immediately recalled the

that...dangerous?" I quickly

I need to lock

laugh, much to

assumptions based on

that knowledge...it

at the ground, becoming lost in thought over my prior

didn’t even notice when he

instantly, a shiver ran through me

quietly, drawing

in this world that could ever make me hurt you.I am the

part of me wanted so

could respond though, he moved past me to start pushing couches and other pieces of furniture out the way, clearing an area in

a semi-large open space i

ready?"

back cautiously and

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

shocked silence as I watched him shift forms in a mere matter of

all that was left was a

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

didn’t feel like running or feel

recognition from

As though this felt...right.

walk towards him, moving until I was crouched right in

he laid down on the ground,

it to? He looked at me as if he

decided to trust that instinct...reaching out

soft," I mused aloud

closed upon contact, allowing me to continue feeling the

same sparks as when I

something I can

and bloody murders to anything even close t o

Kieran apparently disagreed with

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

ached with

want to learn this," I

to be so

felt so lonely, thinking I

seeing Kieran like

was willing to help me learn about who I

final piece of the puzzle was coming

I had were apparently completely

Natural.

or

a part of being

did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly,

by the sudden movement

clearly proven already that he had

did finally emerge again, he was back to his normal

said, walking

this immediately made

or something to do first.Some way to practice

for me to just jump right in

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