A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter Seventy–Nine 

Warm. 

It was so warm. 

Everything around me felt like it was burning, our skin already flushed enough from the training just prior. 

...And I wanted more. 

With one hand tangled through his dark hair, my other was tracing slowly down the front of his chest, feeling every muscle under my touch. And Goddess was it flawless. His body moulded against mine perfectly, as if it had been made to fit there. 

... This is wrong,‘ a voice whispered inside. 

And yet that thought only seemed to excite me further. 

It felt a million times better than I thought it would, his mouth moving hungrily as it responded against mine. His lips softer than I would have ever imagined. 

...Stop... 

There was a sense of urgency, a sense of need as I clung to him, pressing myself up against him closer, desperately searching for as much contact as possible. 

... You need to stop.’ 

No, I really shouldn‘t have wanted this, wanted him, but it was like a flood gate of buried emotions unexpectedly poured out, mixing with new ones I hadn‘t even noticed before. And the result was a desire shooting through me that felt insatiable. 

His body then shifted under me, trying to sit up and I moved back to allow it, giving him the space he‘d need to get himself free without leaving too much distance. 

But it was as he tried to bring his hands out to touch me, probably having momentarily forgotten the cuffs were even there, that I suddenly realised what was happening. 

As the metal from the silver dagger loudly sounded out against the handcuffs, it was as if someone had just thrown a bucket of cold water over me. 

....ENOUGH! 

....And I immediately pulled myself away. 

“Give me a second...,” Aleric said quietly as he began to free himself. He hadn‘t even realised my abrupt change in mood yet. 

But, without waiting, I quickly stood up and took a few shaky steps backwards. 

“...Aria?” Aleric asked, looking up at me now confused. 

“I–I made a mistake,” I said, my heart still pounding heavily, my head cloudy. 

...And I knew I‘d messed up badly. 

Because nothing about our situation had changed. I still didn‘t know his future, I didn‘t know what would happen to him, or if there was some sort of trigger that would set him down the same path... I still couldn‘t trust him implicitly. Not entirely. 

In fact, the only thing I‘d learnt about our situation over the last few months was that there were now even more factors from both inside and around us that were completely unknown. Especially that one ever 

Chapter Seventy–Nine 

nagging issue.... 

Power, 

I‘d already once seen what his drive to achieve that had cost. Seen just what he was willing to sacrifice in order to reach that status. 

...Who was to say what he‘d eventually be willing to do this time? 

Was it just waiting inside his core, ready to change him into that power–hungry man once more without 

any moment‘s notice? When dealing with the abilities of a Goddess, who could say for sure? 

I‘d made a deal with him to keep our relationship professional for that exact reason. A way to avoid any conflict of interest should the worst–case scenario happen in the future. 

somehow I‘d already

I‘d almost fallen into yet another mistake, one that could have also had severe impacts

are you talking about?” he

I shouldn‘t have done that. That‘s not… That‘s not something we should

“Seriously?” 

just wanted to leave. There was nothing good that

walk away... only his voice called

do with me in that way and I understood why that was. I completely respected it. I didn‘t question it because, given everything you‘ve apparently been through, it would be stupid of me to think that I‘d ever have a chance. How could I when some bastard already well and truly

heart was racing but I kept walking. I needed to

myself that you don‘t want me now? Not even the tiniest bit? ... How the hell do I just let it go after you kiss

being with you potentially jeopardises this pack if one day I can‘t make an impartial decision between you or their best interest. I‘ve already seen a future where I‘ve given myself to you and seen what you did with that.

it then? This is what our future will look like together? Barely trusting one another, silently wondering if the other person will rip the carpet out from under them at any

bit my lip but remained silent, not

what? No. Fuck you, Aria,” he said, taking a step back. “I‘ve done everything humanly possible to prove to you that I‘m not *him* That I’m worth your trust and respect. And now.., this? You lead me on and then rub salt in the wounds for shit that isn‘t even my fault? Things from a

blood rushing through my body furiously, my anger now tipping over the edge. It was fueled only more on from the emotional rollercoaster that had just occurred.

longer want to manage the pack together? Because you should tell me that now. It‘ll be good to get that sort of information out in the open so I realise

if I‘d wanted to make yet another catastrophic mistake by sleeping with someone, Aleric, I could have just run

seemed to

and the loudest snarl ripped through his chest, an aura coming off him that would have made any lower ranks fall to their knees. He was angry to the point his wolf was

to help it though. It had left my mouth

of calm throughout my body. Immediately, all my anger left me as I stood before him, looking him

I was making the

quickly turned around, walking out

onslaught of anxiety and guilt immediately

hell had I just

potential danger to himself and others,‘ the voice inside reminded

Oh, great. 

it in the clutter of events earlier... but it appeared she was back, having taken the most opportune moment to

was definitely not the time for her to be filling my head. No, I needed to figure out what to

handle this myself, thank you,‘ I hissed back internally, continuing on my way. I needed to

things for me before tomorrow. She was kept

surprise

anyone about it yet was the last thing I

the gym at some point today? I left in a hurry and seem to

about it further but thankfully kept quiet, acknowledging m y request with just a bow of

for a while, now exhausted from everything that had transpired; including using my abilities. It was a room for privacy... and welling in my

even worse than just the kiss. Lashing out at him for what he said wasn‘t remotely called for, especially when I knew he was probably right. Or, at least, he was justified in

I had been keeping a barrier between us, purposely ensuring that I

Chapter Seventy–Nine 

to keep that

inside me. Blinded to even the smallest possibility that I might have been getting too close. And

in judgement or...? When had I even begun to see

lips absentmindedly, remembering how it felt. Remembering how his mouth had responded to mine…

flushed through

After tomorrow. 

bit before I go and

became conscious of just how tired I‘d already become, my eyes quickly becoming heavy against my own will. I should have realised sooner that using m y

Okay, fine then. 

one small nap...

sound of heels clicking inside an empty hallway roused me from my sleep, waking me up to find myself standing

early night beginning to fall already outside as was

how did I

the noise only to find Lucy walking, heading in the direction of

I called out to her.

No reply. 

seemed as though I was

up to her, I then followed behind, letting her lead me to whatever it was I needed to see, but it didn‘t take long for us to arrive at our destination. Soon,

Lucy could even make it to the door, suddenly it was pulled open... and Aleric stepped out.

having jumped a little from his abrupt exit. “I