A Gift from the Goddess

Book Two – Ch.#27 “What about this one?” Allison asked, holding up a floor-length red gown.

It was a little more elaborate than I normally wore. Typically, I leaned more towards subtle coloured dresses, ones that showed off my body without needing to be the brightest in the room. But this… this one was definitely a statement.

…Not that it really mattered here, I guess. Maybe the new me could like brighter colours.

“That’s fine. Just add it to the pile,” I said, nodding to where I’d thrown a few others. They were all laying on the cash register’s bench, ready for when I quickly checked out. I didn’t want to drag this out for any longer than I had to.

But she gave me a strange look at that and hesitated instead. “…You’re not going to try it on first? I’d hate for you to buy something so expensive only for it to not fit. Or… we also have a few other stores that you might like. There’s no need to rush.”

Oh, but I did.

I was learning to suppress that feeling inside, the discomfort I felt from being around her. But it didn’t mean I wanted to test my fortitude on the matter. Besides… I could always return them later. “Don’t worry about the price,” I told her. “My father can just write it off as a b—.”

And I almost choked on my words as I bit my sentence short, stopping myself from saying’ business expense’. As in, implying I was working right now. Which I wasn’t.

…Was I?

I internally shook my head. No, I definitely wasn’t working. I didn’t know what to do about my father’s missing documents but I had no plans of leaving Kieran anytime soon. Not now after I’d had a taste of how good things could be. I was completely hooked and had every intention of staying here for as long as possible. …And so I cleared my throat as a cough, attempting to disguise my slip. “-…Birthday present,” I slowly finished.

“Oh, that sounds nice,” she smiled.

I wasn’t sure if she picked up on the lapse or if she was just being polite. Either way, I returned her smile with a forced one of my own and quickly turned my attention back to the row of garments.

And a silence filled the air.

What did girls normally talk about in situations like this?

Even putting aside my own issues, I didn’t know how to initiate a normal conversation with her. What do wer

s discuss? Her… Goddess? Pack?

TICI. VV Ilal UU VVCICVVULLBI1IJU.

…Shifting?

I shuddered at that last one, the nausea filling me. Truthfully, I could do without ever experiencing that one again. Not after everything I’d been through. It was probably the topic I least related to her on. Probably right next to how it feels to kill a man, assuming she had no personal knowledge of that one herself.

I sighed.

We were… very different. And though that wasn’t enough to justify the strange way I felt around her, it certainly didn’t help.

“It’s been nice having you around,” she then said, breaking the silence. I looked up in surprise. “In the pack, I mean. Everything has been feeling very… lively. You’re the talk of the whole town.”

ISITH

Right… that wasn’t the first time I’d been told that. But I guess I could somewhat piece together why now. “Because… I’m Kieran’s mate?” I asked, a little unsure over using the term for the first time.

take her off guard

she asked, a tone of excitement

“…Yes?”

noise that was so piercing it made me wince. “Oh, sorry!” she quickly said. “I’m just so happy to be able to talk to you about it now. After you arrived, I was given strict instructions to not say anything. In fact, we all were.” She then laughed a little. “Kieran even went as far as to give us

“…He did?”

trying to ensure you aren’t overwhelmed, making an entire pack conform just so you’re comfortable.” She sighed whimsically. “I hope

of transitions and not feel pressured. Hopefully, people didn’t resent me for having to give special treatment. “It’s been a good thing for everyone though, don’t worry,” she continued, almost reading me as her brother did. “And it’s been a really positive change for Kieran. He’s… showing a side to him now that he hadn’t previously

“Mmm, actually, I probably shouldn’t gossip. He wouldn’t want

wanting her

devilish intent showing as she debated with herself… and Ujen promptly

attitude. But your presence has made him show a caring side publicly that only I had ever seen before. And it’s… nice.

treating my lack of understanding as a game to

I really minded. It usually meshed perfectly with my own… just so long as I was in

me like glass. But I’ve got a life to live too, ya know?” she said. “I’ve got a mate out there somewhere waiting

off on assignments almost every day, doing… unpleasant things. Whilst she’d had the luxury of a much more sheltered upbringing, even despite her mother’s passing. “Ah… I went on a rant,”

I… enjoy hearing

we both cared deeply about. Perhaps this would be enough to focus on

very first

said, putting down the one in my hand. “Did you want to show me the other stores? Maybe get some

never seen someone’s face light up in excitement

on, it’s this way,” she said eagerly. …And she abruptly grabbed at

reaction I hadn’t prepared

pull myself back away… leaving us to both stand a little in shock at my

I could think of in that very moment; I

think I’m coming down with something, “I lied, patting my chest. “Probably

me another odd look, her confusion clearly evident, but I lightly touched her shoulder for her to lead the way, hoping to leave

all I could

hearing stories of the two siblings growing up.

came upon a more populated area that something triggered my instincts. Like the feeling of being… watched. “…And this is the town square,” she said. “I’m sure Kieran already showed you it, but it’s the place people usually come to eat lunch during the day… or to come to look at the fountains. That one in the middle

before I could do so, I then

my eyes snapped

by a hoodie, but I could still see his eyes. Eyes that held a tinge of malice, the kind I was no stranger to. It was the look of a man who was both angry… and had given up. As if they’d already lost the fight

for my dagger. …A dagger I wasn’t equipped with, having thought

Shit.

to me, in range of being hurt during close combat. And all I

did

and pushed her out the way. A movement that happened

scratch stop me before. No, before he had time to even blink, I

so much animosity. He was defenceless,

in my face. “Filthy outsider,” he hissed. “I will never bow to a

he forcefully shoved himself out of my grip, running

him get away. I didn’t know what a rogue was, but I could get the gist of what he was saying. I’d learnt enough for that, at

you okay?!” Allison screamed