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

she asked, a tone of excitement in her voice. “Did

“…Yes?”

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 all a list of things we could and

“…He did?”

nodded. “Mhmm. It was the sweetest thing I ever saw, if you ask me. A mate trying to ensure you aren’t overwhelmed, making an entire pack conform just so you’re comfortable.” She

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

giggled at my question before pausing. “Mmm, actually, I probably shouldn’t gossip. He wouldn’t want me to embarrass him.” But my curiosity

I pressed, wanting her

at me, a devilish intent showing as she debated

you came along, Kieran’s public image was a bit… standoffish. Sort of arrogant and cocky at times; just usual immature boy attitude. But your presence has made him show a caring side publicly that only I had ever seen before. And it’s… nice. It’s nice

see how that was the case. He’d been a bit cocky to me too when we’d first met, treating my lack of understanding as a

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

Allison’s face then turned a little sad, her fingers starting to fidget with a clothes hanger. “He does care a lot. Sometimes a little too much… especially when he treats 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 for me and it gets a bit lonely here. I’m not a

at the end a little amusing. Because despite being only three years younger than me, I felt like I was a generation older; both physically and mentally. At her age, I was 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

no it’s fine. I… enjoy hearing stories of Kieran; even

point. And suddenly, we had just that. A commonality in the person we both cared deeply about. Perhaps this would be enough to focus on from now, something to help push down

the very first time, I smiled at

dresses,” I said, putting down the one in my hand.

I’d never seen someone’s face light up in excitement so

way,” she said eagerly. …And she abruptly

reaction I hadn’t

involuntarily, I had to swiftly pull myself

I did the only thing I could think of in

patting my chest. “Probably just the change in environment. Don’t worry though. Let’s just

but I lightly touched her shoulder for her to lead the way, hoping to leave

all I could do for now.

I enjoyed learning new things and hearing stories of the two siblings growing up. Plus, the historical information she gave me was

place people usually come to eat lunch during the day… or to come to look at the fountains. That one in the middle there, the one with the statue… that’s meant

look at where she was pointing but, before I could do so,

snapped to the

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 and were taking as

his stride… and I instinctively reached for my dagger. …A dagger I wasn’t

Shit.

Allison was too close to me, in range of being hurt during close combat. And all I could think about was how Kieran would never forgive me should something happen

I did what

I quickly yelled, and pushed her out the way. A movement that happened barely a second before I

I’d left myself open to the assault, his knife grazing my arm as I brought it up defensively. But I’d rarely let a scratch stop me before. No, before he had time

didn’t look scared. Not even a lite bit. Even now, he just stared back at me with so much animosity. He was defenceless, the threat to his jugular obvious,

to care… and he promptly spat in my face. “Filthy outsider,” he hissed. “I will never bow to a rogue

running out

I didn’t know what a rogue was, but I could

Allison screamed next to