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. 

past the influence threatening to sway my mind.

when he used it. And it definitely wasn‘t natural. Internally, I scolded myself for being so caught up

confused by my abrupt response.

you the truth,” he said slowly. “Using me for what I can

Chapter light bree 

not what I‘d had in

my teeth. “It might have worked to get me into bed with you but I know what you‘re doing now. Stop trying

What the hell are you on about?” he

actually believed him. It looked as though he really didn‘t know anything about the original lineages or his family‘s

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.

father about joining the alliance, I, in return, will let you speak to Elder Luke. There are things

straight...,” he said, his frown deepening. “You want to withhold access to someone who might have vital information to potentially cure

doing what I need to do for my pack,” I replied flatly.

was the final

standing up,

make it there before him... only

finally catching up. “Cai! Think about what

me. It was as though he were searching my face, trying to look

something

know who you are...,” he started coldly, “...but you‘re not the girl I met all those

if it

believe I‘d failed to distinguish sooner.

had been hidden behind him the entire time, difficult

away from the handle and, with m y other hand, I grabbed

in surprise, struggling to

training and my mark, but he was significantly weaker in his condition. He wouldn‘t

is she?!” I demanded, my body instantly ignited in a rage I hadn‘t thought possible. “Where the fuck

you‘re talking about,”

tightened my grip in response, his denial only further angering me. There would be no way out of

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?!”

hadn‘t initially picked up the obvious difference at first. I‘d brushed it off thinking it was just me smelling his scent properly for the

was up close, there was no mistaking it. No mistaking that overly sugary sweet