A Gift from the Goddess by Dawn Rosewood

It was exactly as I remembered it. But I suppose that was to be expected since, in my memories,

I last saw this place only three years from now.

The school

consisted of only werewolves since our pack had that luxury. In fact, our whole territory was unknow: I walked past the crowds of kids

who were all chatting away in their groups, ignoring that I was even there, but it didn’t bother me. Tt to the whole social part.

I'd walked straight into the

main building, full of confidence, before I realised that I didn’t even know where I was going. I could that sort of thing from ten years ago.

Awkwardly, I pulled out my school diary from my backpack and referred

to my daily schedule, finding! had four subjects today, History, Math, Lore and English. Easy enough. my assignments and homework early so I didn't need to worry about any

surprises there.

Suddenly, the first bell then rang out for

class, breaking me from my thoughts, and I headed off towards the room my first class

would take place. Thankfully, I only got lost once along the way.

However, it definitely felt as though I was getting more stares than I remembered. Not that I particul forget the fact that they had all abandoned me so easily, even cheering on my death. So, it wasn't lik T headed straight into the class, walking past the rows of students until I reached an empty seat at tt know and I had too much on my mind to focus on the menial subject. However, this only seemed to I guess it

would be considered strange if the girl who always diligently sat at the front suddenly sat at the baci But before I could consider it further, a voice then broke me from my thoughts.

"Who died?” someone asked, questioning the remark towards myself.

My heart stopped as the question triggered a trauma inside

me, and I looked up startled to see Brayden. Except I didn't just see him.

For just a moment, my vision flickered and I saw the trial grounds, the cold moonlit night. I saw Bray “This isn't real...this isn't real...

this isn't real’. My mind kept repeating it like a mantra to snap myself out of i

But within a blink

of my eye, instantly I was back in a classroom seated before just a teenage boy. Just a stupid teenage man who had testified in my murder trial, advocating for my death. And though only a second had p I looked down towards what he was staring at

and noticed he was gazing at my dress. Just my attire alone was enough to warrant this reaction? Chaptci len

I breathed out a sigh of relief, realising he was just being sarcastic about my choice in all black clothi today. But it was an odd feeling to

think he might have actually remembered my death for a second there.

Truthfully, I'd completely forgotten that Brayden and I were even in

the same grade, but I especially didn't remember him ever having spoken to me in the past outside « an attempt at... bullying me? Was a change in clothes all it took?

He was known as the popular boy in school given his

rank but it seemed like an odd choice for him to target me suddenly. My family

ranked higher than his, not to mention I was basically considered mated to Aleric already at

this age.

Though despite his age, I couldn't help but feel bitter at him. It was a wave of unspoken anger towar And so, I took a deep breath to calm myself, turning to face Brayden head-on.

“Yes, Brayden, I was in

mourning. But I now know there was no need,” I replied, staring at him dead in the eye. “You see, I tf There was silence from the entire class as Brayden looked as if I'd just told him he had a third ear. En whole class to join in.

The teacher came in after that and swiftly had everyone quietly working in no time. But I stared out t in a blur.

Once the bell for the end of the period had rung, I immediately stood up and grabbed

my backpack, leaving quickly to avoid further conversation. Though, I couldn“t help but notice the we I found out not long afterwards that I was suddenly the

talk of the school, making this discovery as I was standing in the lunch line. Normally, there was no n I'd need to be more careful from now on. There was a lot of smaller details to remember.

It was as I was almost at the front of the queue

that I picked up a conversation several people back between two girls. My name was spoken, instant "Did you see Ariadne today?" the first girl asked in a hushed voice.

“No, why?" the other replied

“Shhh, she’s a few people ahead so be careful, don't be so loud. She's wearing all black today. Doesn "Oh yeah, you're right. You know what's crazy though? This isn't even the first time I've heard people my friend is in her History class and they said she spoke today. It wasn't even for like a

question from the teacher. She was talking to Brayden before the class had even started.”

"What? You're kidding?”

“No! And get this... she made a joke.”

I didn’t want to hear anymore as I got to the front

of the queue. Grateful for the excuse to leave, I quickly grabbed an apple and left directly to the libra I'd never realised that people paid so much attention to my behaviour. I knew I

kept to myself but that

Chapter Ten

was mostly due to my studies, and it

wasn't like anyone had really made an effort to talk to me either. Today had definitely felt different tf felt like people were noticing me more all of a sudden when I was used to being ignored. Had I changed something in the past already by doing such simple things? A change of clothes

and a sarcastic remark in class?

I remembered the library well. There was a desk in the back corner that was always free, that being k I walked directly to the seat and pulled out a notebook and pen, taking several bites of my apple on way. I had a lot to go over and needed privacy in order to organise my thoughts.

Okay... What did I know?

I knew that something terrible happens after I die but that there were no specific details

of what that was. The Goddess did mention before she left that all werewolves would fall when I did. I shook my head. No, I needed to focus on the things that I did know. Like what causes my death? Of The Goddess said that she couldn't change my mate because it could have potentially rewritten my that relationship or become Luna, just that it was the fate that she had chosen for me.

..But, she had also told me that I could choose my own destiny now. Did that mean I could just... reject Aleric and the Luna position? But how would I even begin to explain why I didn’t want to be Lt Or why I didn“t want to be with my mate?

I had four years until my coming of age where it would be publicly revealed that Aleric is my mate, a happened.

The good news was that at the age of sixteen, Aleric would be currently on an exchange trip to an all ranked positions to spend a year or so learning from allies to become more independent. It was also But it did mean that I only had one year or so before I would have to come face-to—

face with Aleric again. And to be honest, I didn't think I was emotionally ready to face him any time s echoing inside my brain, never leaving me alone.

Right now, the biggest threat was Thea. She would be the hardest one to figure out

because she managed to hide her true self from me the entire time I knew her. I also knew basically I I was pretty sure I met her for the first

time when I was sixteen or seventeen, but given the complexities o f her schemes, I was pretty sure s So, what was my plan to ultimately stop my death? Secretly kill Thea? Run away? Find another pack? All of these options seemed wrong or not possible yet. Killing Thea would be reckless

and really risky, and finding another pack would be impossible since I was now a fourteen year old g the best option, but I would definitely not survive alone out there in the wild as a rogue. Not until m) put my parents in a difficult position so I needed to be careful.

The bell for class then chimed and I realised I still needed more time to think about my plans. At leas I knew I had two things to work

on in the meantime though; sniff out anyone spying on me for Thea, and collect as much independe Luckily for me, 1 literally knew the future. Saving up some funds wouldn't be too difficult.

Ah, but then again, the detail I keep forgetting...

I was only fourteen. I would need an adult to conduct the business on my behalf until I was older, lec finances.

My mind went to Lucy first but the thought of trusting another attendant made me feel

sick. Thinking of Sophie still made my heart ache. However... however, it may just be my only chance I decided I would need to test her, making sure this time their loyalty could be relied upon. I refused the same mistake as last time.

But all the while, as I was still thinking everything out in the library, I had completely forgotten that tl I quickly gathered up my bag and ran out.

I ran out

into the hallway... and straight into the shoulder of someone coming from the opposite direction.