A Gift from the Goddess

Chapter 66

Chapter Sixty–Six 

A loud knocking sounded at my door the following morning, instantly waking me up. 

It was dark, maybe dim morning light, but definitely earlier than I had expected to be disturbed that day. It was so early that I knew even Lucy wouldn‘t have arrived yet. 

Despite my best efforts, my brain had refused to quieten down after I‘d gone to sleep the night before. Figuring out a possible theory to do with Thea had awakened a new spark within me, one which had prevented me from settling my mind down. As a result, I felt exhausted from the little rest I had managed to get. 

I pulled myself out of bed sluggishly and made my way to the door, opening it to see a dishevelled looking Aleric on my doorstep. It appeared that early mornings still disagreed with him even after all this time. 

“...Aleric? Why are you here so early?” | yawned, too tired to conduct the required formalities. 

“So you just open the door for anyone without checking first?” he asked, ignoring my question. “What if I were someone here to kill you? I get that we‘re in the packhouse but it‘s not like we haven‘t had spies here before.” 

I stared back at him completely unfazed, my eyelids heavy. “If it meant that I didn‘t need to be awake right now or go to this meeting, maybe I would welcome the hostile intrusion,” Treplied. “Besides, what kind of murderer knocks on the door to announce their presence virst? Not very subtle.” 

He stood frozen for a few seconds, confusion showing on his face momentarily, before finally, his lip twitched in a small smile. What was he confused about? 

Oh. It was the first attempt at humour I‘d made to him in months. 

Maybe I had been letting this place affect me too much. I could definitely feel that having something different finally happening today did help to dissociate myself from the less pleasant memories in this room. It made me more... aware. 

“Come inside and wait,” I offered, opening the door wider for him to enter. “I need to get changed and grab the last of my things.” 

“Don‘t take too long. We need to get going.” 

I frowned. He‘d shown up almost two hours earlier than he needed to. Why was he in such a rush? 

After getting changed and attempting to cover up the unpleasant new features of my face with makeup, i grabbed my bag and took one last look in the mirror 

Once dressed up and nicely presented, it was easy to miss the signs of my own inner struggles the last few months. That is, of course, if you were also blind and completely ignored the collar sported around m y neck 

I sighed. There was no getting out of this now. 

Refocusing on the task at hand, I headed back to where Aleric was waiting for me. 

Surprisingly, in the time it took for me io get ready, he had somehow managed to tame his wavy hair a bit better and looked more presentable for the meeting ahead. 

“Ready to go,” I announced, walking towards the front door. 

“Wait, I‘ve got something for you,” he said, making me pause. 

Chapter Sixty Six 

I watched as he then pulled out a length of quality violet fabric from a bag and showed it to me. It was a scarf. 

“I figured you‘d feel more comfortable with something like this to hide the ah....” His gaze lowered to my collar. 

Teyed the gift sceptically. “...We don‘t have very cold weather right now.” 

He shrugged. “The fabric is a bit thinner so it could be more of a fashion thing? I don‘t know. I‘m not good with that stuff. Just... here.” 

around my neck. A nice sentiment if not for his finger accidentally grazing the flesh by the collar, causing

he asked softly, lifting the metal up in curiosity to try and see the skin under

place behind it. “You get used t o it. Mostly it‘s just a mild burn that you tune out just like the handcuffs.

reassured by my response. But as he looked into my eyes, I could tell he felt guilty. .

you know I‘m

It‘s not your fault,” I

an attempt to break the serious air surrounding us. “Anyway, you said we were in a rush?”

“Yeah... let‘s go. The house is still sleeping so stay quiet,”

the eerie silence of those sleeping around us evident, until we finally made it to his car

it was, I took a second to breathe it in, greedily indulging in something I‘d deprived myself of. Already I could feel myself wake up and feel a little

after, throwing my bag in the back. He

something that had been bothering me since his arrival this

I‘m going to this meeting... does he?” I asked

mention it was far too early in the morning; way earlier than we should have needed to make it

was sneaking me

quiet for a minute before

yesterday that he

I left him a

evident in my silence to which he laughed. “What‘s he going to do? Drag you home in

those pack officials? I‘m sure that‘ll look

mean? Did something happen?”

kept up to date with current affairs outside the packhouse so naturally, I hadn‘t inquired as to the aftermath of my

a tight line as if

“...Aleric?” | pressed. 

it‘s not like we didn‘t anticipate a backlash from this whole thing,” he started. “There‘s been a bit of stirring, a few accusations... After all, you just went missing one day, holing yourself up in those quarters. Tytus made an announcement to say you were taking some personal time off

they think actually happened?” I

is problematic. There was also a lot of petitioning for your release happening. Not just from within the Winter

“...And the collar?” 

but unfortunately, that one has spread

were

that Tytus was having a hard time explaining my absence One of the main purposes of the collar was to allow me lo still make public appearances, yet I‘d kept myself indoors anyway. I knew it was petty of me to take pleasure, since causing

mind filling with anxiety the closer we got, until finally, I saw the border in sight. Several warriors from the Diamond Claw pack were standing guard, screening everyone a s they came across. I wondered whether the added security measures were introduced from hearing about all the rogue attacks and deaths the Winter

peered down into Aleric‘s car window to identify him, though he didn‘t need much introduction. All the packs within our neighbouring territories would

shifting to where I was seated was... less than subtle. In fact, their staring was almost borderline rude. But I knew why they were doing it... after all, their eyes were directed towards my neck, where I was sure they were wondering

myself instead Coming here was a bad idea. If the lower

me, and I looked up in surprise to see Aleric‘s attention pointed

undertone of threat that was impossible to miss, but your lack of social etiquette should not be a nexcuse to stare at her like a museum attraction Or would you prefer I bring it up as a

Chapter Sixty Six 

that your pack looks to invest more into its training if this type of insult is

wouldn‘t be able to do much about it. After

much as I wasn‘t a fan of the warrior‘s behaviour, it was something I knew I should probably intervene

I reached a hand out and gently

said, trying to reassure him. “Let it go. I‘m sure you‘ve scared him enough for a lifetime. If can‘t cope under

slowly exhaled, tension releasing

forward to address the warrior directly; a warrior who was still looking

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