A Gift from the Goddess by Dawn Rosewood

Chapter Nineteen

Everyone in the room bowed their head in respect, the exception being Cai who was not from the pa

largest chair.

“You may raise your heads,” Tytus said.

Everyone in the room lifted their gaze.

Alpha Tytus was a kind man when compared to his son. He was stern and intelligent but he could be

brown, not green

Tytus had a fearsome reputation throughout the country and was undefeated in every battle he had

“Aria, it's very nice

to see you again. I only wish this was under better circumstances,” he started, his tone friendly

“Alpha, I am honoured to be in your presence,” I said and quickly bowed respectfully again.

“I knew our Aria was incredibly bright for her age, but I am happy to see that she has grown to be a I

"Our pack is your pack,” Cai replied using the traditional saying amongst allied territories.

“Now,” Tytus said, “I need to hear the details of how this has all come about since we are short on tir

I was surprised to hear that any were still alive given the amount of blood that had been Cai. Howeve

wolf that Cai had struggled with the most. He seemed like

the type to not be taken down easily and possibly may even be a . ranked member.

“I understand that Myra was ambushed in the woods. Aria, you knew this ambush was to occur and

told, you both fought valiantly.”

"Alpha, it was due to Cai that we are both still alive right now. Please give him the credit.”

"Humble, are we? I had heard you still managed to snap the neck of a wolf whilst being savagely pin

It had been pure luck that I'd managed to accomplish that feat but I didn't correct him,

“Now, please, tell me the details,” Tytus said, trying to bring the conversation back to the important

I knew this question would come up and yet I still didn't have a clear answer to reply with. I needed t

would hopefully not lead to more questions.

“I was in the woods the day prior to the ambush and had felt the presence

of others watching. It bothered me enough that I continued to think about it into the next day. It wa:

warriors from our pack, they would have made themselves known. The only other

Chapter Nineteen

solution I could think of was a possible threat incoming. Cai offered to help

knowing I wouldn't be strong enough to fight off danger alone. It was lucky we investigated the area

I could see my father was confused at what I was saying. He probably realised I was home with the fz

story seem odd. But I was silently grateful he didn't mention any of his suspicions aloud. With the ne

was not the time to draw further attention to myself.

“Very lucky indeed! I see we were very fortunate that you realised in time,” Tytus said.

He then turned to the ranked members next to him. “Have we had any progress in discovering who \

behind the attack?”

“None so far, Alpha,” said Gamma Oliver, Brayden's father. “But we're continuing the

interrogation on the surviving wolf.”

Tytus made a sound of thoughtful thinking.

The truth was I knew exactly who the wolves belong to, and even knew how they were eventually de:

curious about the death of a girl in my junior year, I had decided to briefly read the details in a

war book. This was back when I was studying modern battle strategy.

“Cai and Aria, did you see anything during

the fight that would shed any insight into who was responsible?”

“No, Alpha Tytus,” Cai responded immediately.

..But I hesitated. I didn’t see anything of course, but I knew the answer.

“Aria?” Tytus pushed, sensing my reluctance.

Iconsidered the implication of telling him and didn“t see any harm in revealing the

pack that was responsible. But though I wanted to change the future, I needed to think of the implic:

"... 1 did not see anything, Alpha,” I started. "...

However, I do have a theory if you would like to hear it?”

Theories were better than facts. Whether they chose to believe me, it would be their own decision

to make.

“Please, go ahead,” he said eagerly.

"...I believe the Jade Moon pack are responsible.”

"Don't be ridiculous!” shouted Gamma Oliver suddenly. “Alpha, why are you listening to theories fror

Like father, like son I guess; too stubborn to look past their own views. I could see why he might be

The Alpha raised his hand in order to silence Oliver.

“Please explain further, Aria,” he said with a gentle smile.

I cleared my throat. “As we all know, the Jade Moon pack has recently had their

Alpha heir ascend to power after his father passed away. It's no secret he is young with bold ideas fo

their land itself not being able to provide adequately for all of their members. You would need to co

with the man you have captured, but I believe if you start questioning him about the Jade

Moon pack, you will soon have your answers.”

Chapter Nineteen

"Ho—

oh! That is indeed a brilliant theory, Aria! I can’t deny that I, too, have heard rumours of their pack be

increasingly agitated,” Tytus said, his eyes holding a glint of excitement. He then

turned to the elders and ranked members next to him. “If this is indeed the Jade Moon pack, then hc

There was silence from the council as everyone speculated what would be the best course of action.

“I have an idea, Alpha,” Oliver finally spoke up.

“Let's hear it then.”

“I propose a full-

frontal attack. They are a small territory and do not have the resources to defend. It would be a very

other packs who may be thinking of rebelling.”

"Mmmm, yes, I can see how that might work...” Tytus mused. “...But I think I'd also like

to hear from the young lady and know her thoughts on the matter.”

The Alpha then turned his eyes to me. I could see the curiosity they held, mixed with anticipation.

"What do you think, Aria?” Tytus asked. “What do you propose would be our best course of action if

I knew exactly what he was doing. This was a test. With the recent talks of

my new mark, he was now sizing up my abilities for leadership. To see whether I would become a thr

The truth though was that the question put me in a difficult position, one where I would need to mal

back and allow for history to take its course naturally. In doing so though, some pack members woul

by implementing the reckless plan Oliver proposed. It wasn't until halfway into carrying out his idea 1

Moon pack. However, by the time his effective strategy was implemented, many had already died. Ol 1n

The

second option was I could tell them how this war could be resolved immediately, sparing the lives of

warrior and even the lives of some innocents on both sides.

The main issue I was now facing was that, if I went with the second option, I would be drawing imme

my Goddess mark. That could become potentially dangerous very quickly if he felt threatened.

The way I saw it, the choice was either to protect myself... or to save others.

And as I looked up into the Alpha’s dark calculating eyes, eyes that I knew were hiding a secret inten

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