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."

gently pulled me forward through the front door and closed it behind me, his gaze never leaving

that I became painfully aware of as I became trapped between

think I can manage that,"

were completely alone, the

if he were somehow devouring me

that I could have sworn appeared darker for a

maybe it was

"Make yourself at home."

quickly I walked

to let myself become too comfortable around

room was

I'd suspected the other day, the

felt larger than some

to host an elaborate party without feeling

isn’t exactly an ideal place to do something where people

just have to make do with the space we

I had to fight the urge t o just spin right back

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

are you doing?" I yelled in surprise, unable to

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

said,

don’t want it to get

caught sight of his chest as he continued unbuttoning,

skin that was revealed seemed moulded around

expected to be hiding behind

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

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

said, almost a little

prove we were the same,

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

was he? And my mind immediately recalled the massacres I

I

I need to lock

immediately made him laugh, much to my

now, I could only make assumptions based on

knowledge...it wasn’t

lost in thought over my

I didn’t even notice when he appeared

instantly, a shiver ran

said quietly, drawing in

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

me wanted so badly to believe

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

there was a semi-large open

you ready?"

took a step back cautiously and nodded my

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

watched him shift forms in a mere matter of

until all that was left was

dark brown wolf that stared at me knowingly,

I didn’t feel like running or feel

felt recognition from deep

As though this felt...right.

walk towards him, moving until I was crouched right

down on the ground, presumably trying

instructed it to? He looked at me as if he knew

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

I mused aloud to

eyes closed upon contact, allowing me to continue feeling the

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

this really be something

I could go from blackouts and bloody murders to anything even close t o this level

disagreed with that

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

ached with

learn

want to be so

lonely, thinking I was a

Kieran

that he could teach me and was willing to help

the final piece of

I had

Natural.

or

part of being this

the truth so far… did that mean I really could trust him? Abruptly, Kieran then

off guard by the sudden movement but tried not to

proven already that he had no intention of

again, he was back

he said, walking over to

this immediately

thought that there’d be like...exercises or something to do first.Some way to practice safely," I

for me to just jump right in

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