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."

me forward through the front door and closed it behind me,

over me, something that I became painfully aware of as I became trapped between him

I can manage that," he

that we were completely alone, the way he looked at me

were somehow devouring

could have sworn appeared darker for a split

maybe it was just the

"Make yourself at home."

stepped back, releasing me, and quickly I

not to let myself become too

the room was

suspected the other day, the place was definitely

felt larger than some people’s

to host an elaborate party without

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

to make do with the space

to look at him, I had to fight

as he watched me, slowly

in surprise, unable to

way though, his lip twitching

my favorite shirt," he said, as if it

don’t want it to get

of his chest as he continued unbuttoning, his

seemed moulded around perfectly sculpted

have expected to be hiding behind

this? I swallowed and quickly tried to

"_..Ruined?" I asked feebly.

he said, almost

to prove we

Oh.

Right.

But, wait...

was he? And my

that...dangerous?" I quickly

need to lock you inside

laugh, much to my

now, I could only make assumptions based on the knowledge

knowledge...it wasn’t

becoming lost in thought over my

that I didn’t even notice when he appeared

instantly, a shiver ran through me

quietly, drawing

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

part of me wanted

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

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

you ready?"

took a step back

..And then...something unbelievable happened.

as I watched him shift forms in a mere matter

until all that was

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

or feel even remotely afraid, as I thought I

felt recognition from deep within

As though this felt...right.

moving until I was

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

he really in control right now? Would this wolf move if he instructed it to? He looked at me as if he knew

decided to trust that

mused

eyes closed upon contact, allowing me to

as when I touched his skin, I still

be something I can

and bloody murders to anything even close

apparently disagreed

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

chest ached with new

to learn

to be so afraid

thinking I was a freak all

seeing Kieran like this

could teach me and was willing to help me learn about

piece of

I had

Natural.

or

purely a part of being

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

guard by the sudden movement but tried

that he had no intention of mauling

he was back to his

said, walking over to

this immediately

first.Some way to practice safely," I argued, slowly

for me

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