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."

forward through the front door and closed it behind me,

me, something that I became painfully aware of as I

think I can manage that,"

were completely alone, the way he looked at

he were somehow

I could have sworn appeared darker for a

it was just

"Make yourself at home."

stepped back, releasing me, and quickly I walked around

not to let myself become

room was

the

than some people’s houses

host an elaborate party without feeling

indoors but...well, the city isn’t exactly an ideal place

make do with

turned to look at him, I had to fight

stood to the side as he watched me, slowly starting

you doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable

way though,

he said, as if it

want it to get

he continued unbuttoning, his actions undeterred from my cries in

seemed moulded

expected to be

this? I swallowed

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

said, almost a

prove we were the same,

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

in here, was he? And my mind

that...dangerous?" I

I need to lock

made him laugh, much to my embarrassment.I was

could only make assumptions based on the knowledge

that knowledge...it wasn’t

lost in thought over my

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

shiver ran

he said quietly, drawing in

promise you, there is absolutely nothing in this world that could ever make me hurt you.I

of me wanted so badly

to start pushing couches and other pieces of furniture out the

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

ready?"

a step back cautiously and

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

stood in shocked silence as I watched him shift forms in a mere

all that was left

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

like running or feel even

recognition from

As though this felt...right.

until I was crouched right in front

in response, he laid down on the ground, presumably trying to make

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

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

I mused

allowing me to continue feeling

feel the same sparks as when

be something I can

and bloody murders to

apparently disagreed with

me a nod, confirming that this really was something

ached with new

to learn

to be

I

Kieran like this

willing to help me learn about who

honestly felt like the final piece of the puzzle

problems I had were apparently completely

Natural.

lies or

a part of being this

could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran

guard by the sudden movement but tried not to

he

again, he was back

turn," he said, walking

this immediately made me

be like...exercises or something to do first.Some way to practice

good idea for me to just jump right in and do

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