A Gift from the Goddess

Book Two – Ch.# 20

We exited the vehicle and I began walking to the front door, thinking that Kieran was next to me. Only, as he called out to me, I realised he was still at the car.

“Come here for a second,” he said, crooking his finger for me to return.

1 did as he asked and he stood in front of me, a smirk on his lips.

“I hope you don’t find this too weird,” he said, and I merely raised a brow in question.

He then gently grabbed my hand and placed it actoss my chest. “It won’t be a very formal setting but you’re still going to meet my father. It means I need to teach you this. It’s the same thing that Daniel did. You place your hand here and bow your head a little. It’s a sign of respect for those ranked above you, as well as those amongst allied packs.”

Oh, I did remember the gesture. Though I hadn’t known what to do at the time and just stood there. Was I meant to have done it back? Was I considered “allied” despite not being from a pack?

“Like this?” I asked.

And I mimicked what I’d seen.

But it instantly made Kieran’s lip twitch, looking as though he were trying not to laugh. “Was that… wrong?”

I thought back on what I’d done but couldn’t work out which part I’d messed up.

He quickly cleared his throat though and smiled. “No, no, it wasn’t wrong. It was perfect. It’s just amusing to see you do it towards me. I never thought I’d be in this situation.”

“What situ.”

“Let’s go in,” he said, guiding me with a hand to my shoulder. “Everyone will be waiting.”

I didn’t pry for more answers.

From the minute we walked inside, I became painfully aware of just how much I stood out.

There were a few people around, all of whom were staring at me or… whispering. Every time they accidentally caught my eye, they would instantly look away. A little unnerving, but I did my best to shrug it off. I had a feeling this was going to become the norm everywhere we went.

“Alpha heir,” a lady said, approaching from another room. She then did the bow that Kieran had shown me moments earlier. “…Miss Reid.” Another bow.

She knew my name. I took that to mean Daniel had already made it here and the people were gathered to meet us.

I placed a hand over my chest, thinking that bowing back was the respectful thing to do amongst ‘allies’, but Kieran’s hand shot out so quickly to stop me that I almost didn’t see it. “If you can please have the luggage from the car put away, it would be greatly appreciated,” Kieran said, giving the girl a polite smile. “Please also have the room arranged to ensure Raven has a comfortable stay.”

…An employee. Maybe a maid? I guess it would have been strange to do it as a guest. The lady looked at me, breaking her guise of formality to momentarily crease her brow, but she soon recovered. With another quick bow, she left to do what she was asked.

…Just to my father,” Kieran whispered, reiterating what he had said earlier. And I nodded my head.

I’d gone from being able to navigate high society etiquette with my eyes closed to… feeling like a clumsy child. A much steeper learning curve than I anticipated.”

thought, until we eventually arrived at a set of double doors. It was here that Kieran stopped for a moment and

imagining like an antique-style living area with a bunch of people in formal attire. Or maybe something

me,

everything seemed somewhat modern. Closer to the sort of living areas

father’s age, Daniel, and a few other older gentlemen

entered inside, their eyes all

father, Victor, looked like, having read it in my folder weeks ago, but seeing him in person was another thing entirely. Based on looks alone, it was easy

was something else too. He had a sort of… air about him. Almost as if you could feel the importance coming off of him. Even if I came

giving a small bow. “Apologies for the short notice.

of the way, I was taken aback by how Victor

induced a pang of longing inside me, one that I’d thought to have buried long

shoulder. “And please don’t worry about any of that. I just appreciate you going in my absence to the event. Besides, how could I possibly be annoyed? What with

as everyone looked

“…Guest,” he finished.

and stepped forward, doing the bow in respect. “Allow me to introduce you

itch of discomfort over hearing

Victor. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me just being here, and I sincerely appreciate the generosity of accommodating my abrupt visitation, This is all new to me so I hope you’ll forgive any faux

quickly.”

making a good impression was still something that felt more natural for me to do. Being able

my

too. Those eyes

out for me to shake, which I quickly

looking forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll excuse

both. Either way, I held my smile in place and remained composed. “These are my second and third in charge,” Victor then said, pointing to the men of similar age. “Reece, our Beta, and Neil, our Gamma. As well as three members of what we call Elders.

each nods of acknowledgement and smiles as they were introduced one by

I believe you’ve already met Reece’s

No one else apart from Kieran seemed to notice the small tension there. Probably for the best. “Perfect. Then

many names to remember at once, but I did my best to retain what I could. Already, I knew I would have to ask Kieran to remind me

more time, internally memorising their faces, however it

…They were all men.

they have any female

made me start to

I wasn’t able to think on it for long… as then the door burst

a female voice squealed behind

a wave of nausea instantly

turned around to see who had entered… and saw a young girl with blonde hair

of me was now screaming, urging me to reach for

I took a step back. Shocked by my

Kieran. “I was starting to

…Al… Alli…

of my tongue. As if I should

to pat her