A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Eighty–Three As soon as the words had left my mouth though, I slowly started to take in what I was actually seeing before me. 

Because it was Cai, but... true to the excuse he‘d provided, he really didn‘t seem well. 

I could recall how he‘d appeared worn out the last time we’d met, however this was on an entirely different level. 

He looked pale with dark circles under his eyes, perhaps having even lost some weight. The difference in his appearance was almost like an entirely different person from the man I‘d first met all those years ago. 

“Aria,” he greeted, his voice having a rasp to it that hadn‘t been there before. 

And, inside, a pang of guilt hit me. 

It seemed I really had dragged him out of his sickbed. 

“Take a seat,” I said, gesturing to the chair on the other side of my desk, and he complied. “I appreciate you coming here to meet with me.” 

“You didn‘t give me much of a choice,” he replied. 

I simply nodded in turn. “Well, you can‘t blame me. Your pack is still refusing to join the alliance and you can probably figure out what that means given my current position.” 

“I‘m not refusing you anything, Aria,” he argued, a cough following his words. “I‘ve been too sick to be involved with politics; something that has lasted for months now since no one can figure out what‘s wrong with me. Yet, despite sending word to you of that very fact *multiple times*, you still insisted! come here.” 

“You won‘t be able to sit idly by in your bed if your pack is being killed outside your doors,” I replied harshly, my eyes narrowing. “Apologies for dragging you out here but surely you can understand the very precarious position we‘re in right now. Only you can help convince your father to join back into the alliance.” 

“Really, Aria? Not even five minutes and already you‘re threatening a war?” 

“Do you even understand the full gravity of the situation, Cai? There are only two options for me here. Either you join our alliance again... or I‘ll have no choice but to declare war. You already know I would rather avoid the latter.” 

“I came here only because you said you needed me, Aria,” he said, his eyes meeting mine with unwavering intensity. “Needed *me*. Not my title.” 

And, suddenly, just like in the past, I could start to feel that magnetic energy form in the air around him, wanting to draw me in and listen to him. To give in to him and try to make things right. 

Only I knew exactly what it was this time. 

And it had nothing to do with what ** wanted to do. 

hissed, pushing past the influence threatening

And it definitely wasn‘t natural. Internally,

he only frowned, confused by my abrupt

truth,” he said slowly. “Using me for what

Chapter light bree 

I‘d had

might have worked to get me into bed with you but I know what you‘re doing now. Stop trying to manipulate me.”

you on about?” he said, sounding completely genuine.

anything

change anything. The fact of the matter was that it was definitive confirmation that he‘d been influencing me during the times we were together. Now I would never know if what I‘d felt during those moments was even real or just a byproduct of an

best not to let myself get further angry over that realisation. “If you agree to speak to your father about joining the alliance, I, in return, will let you speak to Elder Luke. There are things about you that,

to withhold access to someone who might have vital information to potentially cure

do for my pack,” I replied

was the final straw for

finished here,” he said, standing up, and began walking to the

up and followed behind though, trying to make it there before him... only I was

about what you‘re doing. About what this means for

at me. It was as though

I found something before he

are...,” he started coldly, “...but you‘re not the girl I met all those years ago in high

his words if it hadn‘t been for

I‘d

behind him the entire time, difficult to

him a chance to leave, I then snatched his hand away from the handle and, with m y other hand,

he choked out in surprise, struggling

Not just because of the training and my mark, but he was significantly weaker in his condition. He wouldn‘t be able to escape

rage I hadn‘t thought possible. “Where the fuck is she, Cai?”

you‘re

be no way out of it this time.

stupid!” I screamed back. “I can smell her on you! You think I don‘t know what that bitch smells like after living with her for six years?!”

I now had enhanced senses from my shift, I hadn‘t initially picked up the obvious difference at

no. Now I was up close, there was no mistaking it. No mistaking