A Gift from the Goddess

Book Two – Ch.# 23 “…Is that a phone?” he asked, still appearing shocked.

“…Yes?”

And he immediately walked over to me, starting to scan the area around us. Almost as if he were checking to see if anyone else had seen me. “Quickly put it away,” he said.

“What’s wrong, Kieran?”

I asked the question but still did what he requested, stuffing it back into my pocket.

“Communication and recording devices like that aren’t allowed here,” he said. “It’s the only way we keep ourselves safe. They potentially jeopardise our entire kind’s secrecy. You’d be best to just leave it switched off in your suitcase and don’t let anyone know you have it.”

…I guess that made sense. I’d been wondering myself how they’d managed to keep their existence so unknown all this time. If someone started taking videos of people turning into wolves, I could see how that would quickly uncover the truth. “I’m sorry… I didn’t know,” I said. “My friend was worried about where I disappeared to. I just called to let them know I was safe.”

“You don’t need to apologise. It’s my fault. I should have told you before we got here.” He then exhaled and relaxed himself, the danger now gone. “It’s slowly becoming a little better ever since we started business with humans. We even have a landline phone for that reason now. I guess if you wanted to call someone, I could ask permission for you to access it. Its use is monitored by the Elders.”

I thought about it for a moment but realised that if I used a public phone, I would have limited freedom in what I could and could not discuss openly. Especially if mentioning things related to my father or the drugs, it could make all of this effort to keep it hidden pointless.

“Thank you… I’ll be sure to let you know.”

I didn’t enjoy lying to Kieran but, for now, this was the only way. So much was riding on that call from Zac that it didn’t leave me with many options. No, I would need to keep my phone nearby and hope for the best

“Come on,” he said, touching my shoulder. “I’ll show you around some more places. We’ll need to be back at the house by about five o’clock though. We’ve got that dinner tonight.” In amongst everything happening, I’d almost forgotten about the dinner planned for tonight. It sounded as though everyone who was even remotely important would be attending, which was a little nerve-wracking.

“Sure,” I said

And we left soon after, It was a fun day in the end, all things considered. After a stressful morning with the doctor’s appointment and the cell phone incident, it managed to recover back into an enjoyable time spent with Kieran.

And though it was slow, I was starting to learn more things by being around him. Like his sense of humour… his smile… the way he laughed. And I noticed how easy it was for me to open up because of that.

Every now and then I would find myself stopping after realising how comfortable I seemed to be, so contrasted to my normal guarded nature… and I would sneak a look over at him. But every time I would do so, I would find him already watching me, his hazel eyes instantly sending little butterflies through me.

...And I would wonder what he saw when he looked at me.

By the time five o’clock came around, I was almost sad to see the private part of our day come to an end. Now, with the expectation of meeting important figures tonight, I knew that I would need to be on my best behaviour, careful about how I presented myself.

‘Best behaviour’… no, that was how I used to describe working assignments for my father. But I wasn’t going to the dinner tonight for him. I was going… for me.

was something that *I* wanted to do. “…You look beautiful,” Kieran

burned in response, his words

hear he thought so. But he, himself, looked exceptionally handsome too, something that made it hard for me not to stare. It was as if every time

you,” I said

be

remembered the dining area was. Only, as we entered back into the large

been completely rearranged and now resembled a fancy restaurant more than the casual eating area I recalled. Everywhere I looked, I saw pristine

and I turned to see a young man speaking. “It’s good to finally see you. Sorry

I’ve been busy

turning to me. “The talk of the pack. It’s lovely to meet you, Raven.

bow and I gave him

caused by my lack of concentration. Because in the corner of my eye, I couldn’t help but notice the stares I was receiving from a group

‘glares’ was a

stood up as I watched them. Almost as if I had a weird urge to glare back at them. I wasn’t sure why though. It wasn’t the same as the feeling I’d had with Allison. This

once more. “…Did I do something to offend them?” I asked, confused. But upon Kieran looking over at them, they instantly turned their heads, acting as if they were merely talking to each other. “They’re just jealous,” he said. “It’s not worth your energy.” “Jealous? Jealous of who?” “Of you. Seriously, don’t give it any thought. Now come on, we’re expected up the front.” I didn’t ask anything further but it stuck with me regardless, wondering just how anyone could feel jealous of me. I would happily trade places with any person in this town if it meant avoiding the upbringing I’d had. Hell, if it meant avoiding the issues with my father both past and still

ex-girlfriends? Lovers? I

another thought came to me. One creeping into the back

of my father, would I, too, find myself at that table one day? Scornfully looking over at whatever woman Kieran came to dinner with? …Was I just the latest obsession? A pet project to help fix? Was that maybe why he didn’t feel comfortable telling anyone that we were romantically involved? My chest hurt

our way up to the front of the room, I recognised a group of familiar faces already seated. It consisted

again was overcome with the impulse to attack. A sensation that had no founding or explanation. Just… pure instinct telling me to end her. …But I held myself back. I’d promised Kieran that I would spend time with her. I needed to stay true to my word. And so I gave her a smile, a wave, and took my seat

to be my new best friend. Whether I liked it or not. It

told myself yesterday? That I was committed to being someone new and more positive? Well, talking to his sister nicely was surely

people around me now. I would need to tread extra carefully in these early days to

first I needed to navigate how their strange government worked. A struggle

man, holding a hand out to me.

though I was confused, I still shook it, discreetly trying

a little out of place without his presence. Especially with the ever-constant threat of making a mistake in

en

could come to any conclusion, he answered the question weighing on me. “I’m Victor’s brother. Kieran’s uncle,” he said, pointing towards where

‘ranked’ members who I’d already been introduced to.

leave me in an awkward

was based around family lines. Did that

look around the room once more for Kieran but