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.”

complicated,” was all he

the same way this thing between us is?” I asked, thinking back to what

feelings… the connection… It’s all so intense. I need to know if this is just a

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

real,” he said quietly. “Of

for that matter? Are you hiding it from people because you think this is temporary?

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. Clearly, this was something he’d been hesitant to tell me and yet his answer provided no new insight into my concerns.

a tray full of glasses in hand. He spared us a quick curious glance as he passed by but didn’t pause, promptly continuing through to the dining area. “Come on,” Kieran said, tugging

upon a room. It looked to be a small, contained suite; complete with both a bedroom

but I quickly crossed

the conversation. But it was now past the point of hiding this. I needed

could have never anticipated the way

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 their existence.” It was difficult to believe in a divine power after experiencing

if I was to tell you that there lived a Goddess who created and oversaw our

I being indoctrinated into a cult

been warned of his sister’s strong faith, I hadn’t expected Kieran to bring it up like this now of all

history. Unlike humans, we actually have reasonable evidence to support

he explained. “The Moon Goddess saw to it that our kind never had to suffer alone. So 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 irrefutably connected to you? But if his deity had decreed this… thing… between us, why pretend like it

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

to

was then that I

studied my features before finally meeting my gaze. “Without any added pressure, I wanted you to have the freedom to decide if you didn’t want this,” he said. “If… you didn’t want me.” My chest ached in 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 without any regrets. Kieran had a hold over me that was intoxicating, a light I’d craved for as long

did that mean he really would stay by me?…Could I dare to hope that this was maybe permanent? I reached my hands up and gently touched his face, his eyes immediately relaxing

pain and abuse, one where I was blind to just how bad it really was,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the

the 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

meant to balance