A Gift from the Goddess

Book Two - Ch.# 33 “Two packs aligned under her rule,” Allison continued. “An accumulation of two Alphas, the Saintess and a Luna.

Each one more monstrous than the last. A collection that broke our sacred traditions, and dealt with those who would not join them via irrefutable orders ... and death.” She then pointed to another painting of four people; the Saintess with her silver hair and violet eyes, and a fearsome- looking male next to her with black hair and green eyes. Then a male with dark brown hair and molten gold eyes... and a girl who seemed depicted as an angel with shadow-like wings. Her brunette hair willowed in the wind as her eyes shone like sapphires.

“Their spawn continued their legacy, but it wasn’t until the Saintess’ death that a revolution was finally able to begin. A revolt against their rule and one to reinstate the ways of old. A war that lasted nearly fifty years. The Great Silver War.” (( ...Was this the swar that the suppressors were designed for?” | asked.

She looked atin surprise. “You know about the suppressors?” And | fumbled, unsure how to answer. Kieran hadn't toldif it was meant to be kept secret or not.

“I uh... I've been doing sreading at the packhouse. | think | remember something about them.” “Oh... well, yes. It was thanks to our invention of them that our pack rose up to becthe strongest rivalling force against The Mist. It was actually my father who devised the plan to finish them. Once and for all.” T “The Mist'....7 That sounded familiar.

Hadn't someone said something like that torecently? What was it again? The... * Winter Mist’? But... where? However, | was more focused on what Allison was saying. Because, as someone who had firsthand experience with the drugs, | felt a little sick hearing how she idolised its usage. Not to mention it was yet another reminder of Sterling, him being the first to tellof Victor's success in war.

“We've had peace for over a decade now,” she said. “A blessing from our Great Mother to tell us we've done her work. We eradicated the false believers and restored true order. Just as it always should have been. But... we unfortunately lost my mother in the process.” “Kieran never toldwhat happened to her,” | said. “You don’t need to talk about it if it's too difficult. | know it was hard on you.” But she bit her lip as if trying to keep a strong face. “Sthings in life really show the malicious nature within.

The Devils of the Mist were a testament to that very fact. That is why we have their pictures here; a reminder of the evil out there so we never forget.

And | left it at that, not wanting to pry further to upset her.

The topic was already incredibly uncomfortable even before her mother was brought up. I'd definitely had my fill of learning history for one day and it was enough to givea headache, the gory nature of it all being deeply disturbing.

However, it seemed Allison wasn’t quite ready to move on.

“Traditions are important, Raven,” she then said, grabbing my hands. “There are reasons why we have a strong male hierarchy within the pack, why all rogues are to be treated as scum. Order is only maintained through keeping our values alive. This is what we are taught and what we will teach to our children one day.” “Allison, you're hurting my hand...,” | said softly.

Her grip was getting stronger, almost too strong to pull away. The topic had clearly upset her withoutintending it to and her eyes locked onto mine intensely.

“When people claim they are embodiments of the Goddess and seek power through mocking our ways... that is when doom will befall us. And it almost did. Back then, the Devils were almost invincible, capable of impossible feats of strength, of swaying the minds of others, of defying death....”. 2) “Allison...,” | said again.

But she held on.

“Even blessed silver was not enough to purge them from this world,” she continued. “Because that is how the Saintess got her name. Not for her hair, though the colour was apt... but for her ability to survive multiple wounds by weapons crafted in our most lethal substance. No person should survive such a thing. Her insanity alone saw the death of her own Alpha by her hand, all in order to take that title for herself. She made the entire world fall to their knees before her in submission.” “Allison... please.” “My mother had to die in order for the Devils to be finally extinguished. We live in a world of peace now thanks to her sacrifice.” But it seemed there was no getting through to her and, though I didn’t want to, | ended up doing something | told myself | never would.

...l yelled at her.

| yelled at the girl who was Kieran’s little sister.

“Allison, enough!” | shouted. “Let go of me. Right now.” And, finally, it looked as though ssense cover her.

She blinked a few times and looked down at our hands, my fingers having turned pale from being constricted in her grip. If I'd forced my hands away, it would have caused her harm, and that, | knew, would be far worse than simply yelling.

“Oh... I'm sorry,” she said quietly. “I sometimes go on a bit of a rant.” 1 ‘A bit’ seemed like an understatement for what that was, but | was relieved when she finally releasednevertheless. It was as if she had no understanding of just how terrifying she had becmerely seconds before.

As if everything was... normal.

“| appreciate you coming withtoday, Raven,” she then smiled brightly. “I really enjoy your company. Makes it easy to not dwell on the negative things.” And though that nagging in my head was now screaming at me, the feeling of discomfort strengthening tenfold, | did my best to still push it aside.

Her mother’s death had broken her.

Kieran had already toldthis. Clearly, the girl needed a therapist but that was not something forto tackle.

For now, all I could do was be respectful and understanding. | knew only too well what it was like to carry trauma and she had just lost another family member she loved.

And so | didn’t bring it up, playing the situation off as if everything was fine. But after | did eventually leave the temple that day, my head was filled with only more questions.

More than what | had arrived with.

“I have a surprise for you,” Kieran said the next day.

He'd arrived hlater than normal and cancelled our training. | hadn't thought anything of it as he had been busy all week thanks to Sterling.

“Oh?” | said.

He walked up and kissed my hand tenderly, sending those sparks through “Wear something nice,” he said. “I'll cgrab you in an hour.” And a smile spread across my lips, not having expected anything special to happen today. Truthfully, the whole week had been horrific and a distraction with Kieran was the best thing I'd heard in so long.

“Where are we going?” | asked.

But he shook his head. “It’s a surprise, Rae. | can’t tell you.” He let go of my hand and, with one final wink, leftto get ready.

And | made sure not to disappoint.

| fished out a new dress for the occasion, paying extra special attention to my looks. Which, by the tKieran had returned, | knew had paid off. Because his stare trailing down my body alone was enough to send a shiver through me.

“You're the most beautiful girl I've ever met,” he said, slowly walking over.

| stared up at him lovingly as he encircledin his arms, proceeding to place a kiss on my lips. It madewant to suggest skipping whatever he had planned and spending our night inside instead. Just the two of us as we did... other activities.

But, alas, he seemed determined to go.

“We're going to be late,” he said, pulling away. Much to my dismay.

“Late for where?” However, he just smiled atsecretively. “You'll see.” And see, | did.

Because as we pulled up in the car a few minutes later, outside a familiar looking building, | was reminded of the words Kieran had said toon my first day here.

“Rose & Thorn...,” | said quietly, feeling that spull towards the place. “Your favourite restaurant.” “You remember,” he said, a little surprised. “I did say | was going to take you here.” Yes... he did say that. But in amongst everything happening, it had completely slipped my mind. It had felt like there was always something going on, too busy to Book Wo actually go.

“Con,” he said, opening the passenger door for me.

And he helpedout of the car, holding my hand as we walked inside one of the most eloquent looking establishments I'd ever seen.

It was obvious that they had gone to great lengths to accommodate us. Even to the point of ensuring our privacy by seating us in an exclusive area. Everything was perfect down to the most minute detail.

Just as amazing as Kieran had said.

We enjoyed our food, laughing and smiling properly for the first tin what felt like forever, forgetting about everything else we'd left behind at the packhouse. It was so easy to be captivated by everything he did, every different way he madefeel. He was a lifeline in my life I'd so badly needed, one that | adored. Never before had | felt like this about another person.

He was mine... my mate.

“Dance with me,” he said abruptly after dinner.

Our conversation had died down and | hadn't expected the request. It was something | had never done before for leisure... only for work. Dancing had been drilled intoas a skill, a necessity to enchant men. Doing so here felt... strange.

“Please, Rae...,” he said, watchinghesitate with those puppy dog eyes.

Which, of course, | was helpless to deny.

“I'm a little rusty,” | said honestly, remembering it had been a while.

But this didn’t deter him in the slightest as he pulledagainst him, our bodies starting to sway slowly with the music playing nearby.

His warmth was envelopingas we moved, enjoying the company of the other. It felt... natural. Perfect. A moment in t| wished | could relive forever.

No worries... no stress... just Kieran holdingto him as we danced in a restaurant. Two people doing something so mundane, so normal. A dream | never would have thought was possible for me.

“Rae...,” he said quietly near my ear.

His body rumbled under my touch as he spoke, my head leaning against his chest.

“..Mmm?” “Thank you for coming to Ashwood with me,” he said. “I don’t know what | would have done had you decided to stay behind.” | lightly chuckled at that. “You would have been better off probably,” | said honestly. “I only seem to cause trouble wherever | go.

But he pulled away at that, cupping a hand under my cheek so | would look up at him.

“You don’t cause trouble,” he said, his face serious. “And | promise you... I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Ever.” But the way that he said that, he made it feel as if there was more meaning in his words.

...Did he know about the problems waiting for me? About how | was originally only meant to be here temporarily? ... About how my father would probably try to kill him if he ever discovered just how attached | was? “lI don’t...,” | started, unsure if | should ask or not.

Only, he kept talking before | could do so.

...And spoke words | never expected to hear in my life... the first t| had ever heard such a thing.

“This shouldn't be a shock but... I'm so helplessly in love with you, Rae,” he said. “I have been since the moment | met you.”