A Gift from the Goddess

Book Two – Ch.#24 “What are you doing back here?” Kieran asked. “Did you get lost?” I took a small breath and tried to think on my words, but there wasn’t really any way around this. It was pretty obvious what I was doing.

“Your uh… Your uncle asked for a drink,” I said, holding it up a little to show him. “I was looking for the kitchen.” “And he asked you to get it for him?” “…Yes.”

Silence.

I tapped my nails against the glass in my hand as I awkwardly stood there, unsure if I was about to get another lecture about something I was never told about. A reoccurring situation that was becoming more frustrating.

“Raven… that’s not your job. Especially not as my… guest. We have attendants to help with that which he should already know.”

“Ok… but *I* didn’t know that and you weren’t there,” I snapped back. “I was trying to be polite. In a human city, it’s not that uncommon for someone to ask this. Especially for people who are important.”

Countless times in my life had I fetched influential men drinks in order to gain favour. Some people just expected it. How was I meant to know it would be met with this much pushback here? It was just a freaking drink.

“I’m sorry. I’ll try and stay by your side more,” he said. “And don’t worry about the drink or about Sterling. I’ll speak to him about pulling that sort of thing again.” He went to walk past me to the hallway door, but it was then that my frustration finally came to a boil.

…I’d had enough.

“That’s not the issue here, Kieran,” I said, stopping him. “You can’t be with me twenty-four seven. That’s just… unrealistic. The problem is that I don’t understand.”

He turned back to look at me and his eyes quickly softened.

“…You’re right. That’s my bad. I should explain the culture here to you more,” he said. “The last thing I want is for you to feel uncomfortable. We can do lessons or—.”

“No,”

1 placed the glass down on a side-table and took a step towards him.

“No, what I don’t understand is… me. Where I fit into all of this. Where I fit into your life and this town. You say that I’m here as a guest and yet that seems to have unspoken social rules I‘ve never heard of.”

was all

the same way this thing between us is?”

me. “Because you never explained that to me either. Just left it as ‘a complicated question’. But these sparks… these abrupt feelings… the connection…

my side, his hands grabbing mine. I could feel the warmth and

he said quietly. “Of course

anyone else for that matter? Are you hiding

“I’m not hiding anything. I don’t need to tell people anything… because everyone already knows, Raven. Everyone knows because you’re my….” “…Guest?” I offered when his words trailed off, raising a brow at him. But he then took a deep breath, rubbing a hand against his eyes. Almost as if he was having an argument with himself inside. One he seemed to leave feeling defeated. “Because you’re my… mate,” he said reluctantly. I stared at him blankly, not understanding what that meant.

glance as he passed by but didn’t pause, promptly continuing through to the dining area. “Come on,” Kieran said, tugging on my hand to

minute until we came upon a room. It looked to be a small,

inside but I quickly crossed my

at me with conflicted eyes, as though he really didn’t want to have the conversation.

have never anticipated the way

you believe in Gods?” he asked randomly. The question took me by surprise but I answered it honestly. “No more than the average guy on the street, I guess. It’s not like someone can prove

that there lived a Goddess who created and oversaw our kind? A Great Mother who we refer to

indoctrinated into

like this now of all times. Especially since faith was something personal, not something to

not. I’m just explaining our kind’s history. Unlike humans, we actually have

she created two halves of our souls. Upon finding the other half, we are instantly connected to them. It’s why you feel and experience all the things you do around me. I feel them too.” I’d already thought werewolves were something out of a fantasy book, but now there were soul mates? Someone who was apparently

you want to hide this from me?” I asked, my

wanted you to

I started to understand his

pain over hearing him say that. Even in the short time we’d spent together, it was clear just how attached to him I already was. I was lying to myself in thinking that I could ever return to my normal life the same now. That I could return to my father happily

me?…Could I dare to hope that this was maybe

blind to just how bad it really was,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the overwhelming emotions churning inside. “How could you possibly think

room. “Because it’s not that simple. There are… responsibilities with being involved with me. My role within this pack basically dictates the future of whoever I become mated with.” “What do you mean?” “An Alpha’s mate is referred to as a Luna and they’re seen

meant to balance