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.”

a set of double doors. It was here that

like an antique-style living area

door opened before me, I found it

really nicely, but everything seemed somewhat modern. Closer to the sort of living areas I had back

enough to accommodate it. Three adult men around my father’s age, Daniel, and a few other older gentlemen who seemed more elderly. All dressed nicely but not the blazered suits with ties

as we entered inside, their eyes all instantly fell

but seeing him in person was another thing entirely. Based on looks alone, it was easy to see the resemblance. They had the same dark hair and build, the only real difference being their eyes

importance coming off of him. Even if I came in here blind,

bow. “Apologies for the short notice.

of the way, I was taken aback by how Victor just immediately

a pang of longing inside me, one that I’d

the 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 you bringing home

looked to

“…Guest,” he finished.

the bow in respect. “Allow me to

felt an itch of discomfort over

you,” I said to 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.”

still something that felt more natural for me to do. Being able to quickly put on

my assignments were

just so charming,” his father said, walking up to me. “And so beautiful too. Those eyes and smile

hand out for me to shake, which I quickly

continued. “I’m very much looking forward to getting to know you and hope you’ll excuse all my questions. I just find your situation a little fascinating. It’s not often that children of

truth. Maybe both. Either way, I held my smile in place and remained composed. “These are my second and third in charge,” Victor then said, pointing

and smiles as they were introduced one by

believe you’ve already met Reece’s

the pleasure.” No one else apart from Kieran seemed to notice the small tension there. Probably for the best. “Perfect. Then there is also Neil’s eldest son, Camren, but he’s currently patrolling. You’ll

my best to retain what I could. Already, I knew I would have to ask Kieran to remind

more time, internally memorising their faces, however it was then that I noticed

…They were all men.

they have

made me start to wonder just how archaic the values here might

I wasn’t able to think on it for long…

female voice

And a wave of nausea instantly hit me,

entered… and saw a young girl with blonde hair and

it was difficult to pay attention to anything other than what was happening in my head, Because every part of me was now screaming, urging me

step back. Shocked by my

to hug Kieran. “I was starting to think you

…Al… Alli…

my tongue.

to pat her head affectionately. “Of course I was coming