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.

to take her off

tone of excitement in her voice. “Did

“…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 all a list of

“…He did?”

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

little shocked to discover the lengths Kieran had gone for me, all so I could have the smoothest 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

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

I pressed, wanting her

as she looked at me, a devilish intent showing as she debated with herself… and Ujen

your presence has made him show a caring side publicly that only I

to me too when we’d first met, treating my lack of understanding as

that sense of humour. Not that I really minded. It usually meshed perfectly with my own… just so long as

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

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 passing. “Ah… I went on a rant,” she

I… enjoy hearing

had just that. A commonality in the person we both cared deeply about. Perhaps this would be

so, for the very first time, I smiled at

like any of these dresses,” I said, putting down the one in my hand. “Did you want to show me

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

way,” she said eagerly. …And she abruptly grabbed at my

reaction I hadn’t prepared

warning growl sounded from my lips involuntarily, I had to swiftly pull myself back away… leaving us to both stand a little

could think of in that very moment; I tried

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

her shoulder for her to

I could

some more and about her family. I enjoyed learning new things and hearing stories of

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.

but, before I could

my eyes snapped to

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

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

Shit.

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 to

so I did

and pushed her out the way. A movement

to safety, 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 to even blink, I then disarmed the knife from him easily… and, in one quick movement, held it up to his

now, he just stared back at me with so much animosity. He was defenceless, the threat to his jugular obvious, and yet his hatred

didn’t seem to care… and he promptly spat in my face. “Filthy outsider,”

he forcefully shoved himself out of my grip, running out

stop him. I’d just… let him get away. I didn’t know what a rogue was, but I

Allison screamed next to