A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Twenty-Two 

Chapter Twenty-Two “Woah, little wolf,” Cai said, looking stressed that he’d accidentally upset me further. We had walked into a communal gathering area outside of the hall by this point and I was grateful that no one was around to see me in this state.

He strode up to one of the couches and gently put me down, crouching in front of me so we were eye level. “Do you want me to tell me what that was all about?” Cai asked. When I only continued to cry, he gently touched my shoulder, his tone then becoming darker, more serious. “…Has he hurt you?” It was a question that had a ridiculous answer. Had he hurt me? Yes… and no. Not yet… but at the same time, he had already hurt me far more than a flesh wound could, ruining me to a state that I may never recover from.

I shook my head at him. It wasn’t to say ‘no’ to his question, but rather to show I couldn’t give him the answer he wanted to know.

I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to calm myself. “I’m too weak, Cai. You had said so yourself as well. I’m always going to be begging for just the right to live.”

Seeing Aleric again and having the same feeling of being powerless made me realise that, if he ever did decide to raise a hand against me again, I would still never be strong enough to stop him. Being book smart in my past hadn’t been enough when he had held my life in his hands every day. “I think you misunderstood,” Cai said. “My words were that you had plenty of time to become stronger. I saw how you handled yourself with those wolves. You have more potential than many to become incredibly strong… if that’s what you truly wanted. I’m sure if it was almost any other kid in that battle, we would have both died.”

I looked up into his eyes and saw he was being serious. “But I saw you in that meeting hall with your Alpha just now,” he continued. “You may not be physically strong, but your intellect is like none I have ever seen before. That’s nothing to be ashamed of, especially at your age.” “Brains aren’t going to stop me from getting murdered,” I mumbled quietly to myself. He moved back a little, shocked at hearing what I’d said.

“Is this about the marking?”

Yes… and no. So many of the questions he was asking me had too many complex answers.

told them I wanted to pursue training instead of Luna duties. Already I was unsure about what storm awaited me at home after having announced to the entire council I did not wish to be their Luna. Without any notice or inclination,

him. But that was the old Aria. The perfect daughter Aria who had worked diligently every day to become the very

they’d approve of me wasting time training when

didn’t see any way they’d let me drop something they were confident I would probably change my mind on one day.

haven’t you already announced that you don’t plan on becoming Luna?” I shook my head. “It’s not that simple. They will still prioritise something that they think

will you?” he asked.

like that? I know you said you felt weak, but it honestly doesn’t explain what I saw back there.” I couldn’t tell him, I couldn’t tell anyone. It was better this way. “It’s too difficult to explain… I-I just….” I was trying to find the right words so I wouldn’t sound too strange but I really wasn’t sure what I could possibly tell him.”…He can be very intimidating…” It wasn’t a lie but I hoped it would be enough for Cai to stop asking about it. “Well, I hope you’ll tell me the real reason one day,” he said, and put his hand on my head, petting it gently. I couldn’t help but pout a

to the hospital instead of carrying me, but stayed close by my side

that I saw a small figure was

look of relief spread across her face. “Aria!” she yelled, running towards me. She threw her arms around me as if we were best friends and I thought I could feel her crying a little against my shoulder. She stepped back but held onto my hands, looking at me with eyes so red and puffy. “I came to check up on you and was told you were summoned by the Alpha,” she said. “I was s o worried! You were so sick

um… sorry,” I said,

you to wake up so I could say thank you. I heard what you did and I

present with me also. Her cheeks burned bright red. “Oh… I owe you my life too, Alpha heir,” she said and bowed her head a little. She didn’t have a legitimate reason for needing to bow to him

was such a nervous and