A Gift from the Goddess by Dawn Rosewood

Chapter Fifty–Two It was another two days before Myra‘s funeral was held. 

The event was held outdoors and, though I tried my best to hide my more distinguishable features to not stand out, I still took precautions by keeping a distance from those attending anyway. I didn‘t want to face anyone, let alone speak to anyone on this day. 

Something easier said than done with the large turnout. 

So many people here had cared for and loved Myra; so many people that she had touched with her gentle nature. It ranged from family, teachers and even some of the older children who lived at the orphanage. And whilst I couldn‘t see them from where I stood at the back, I knew Aleric and Cai were in attendance somewhere too. 

So many people were grieving now just as I was... It was a difficult thing to come to terms with given I felt so responsible for taking her away from them. Was this how the families cried when I had killed innocents in my past life too? 

As the sun began to set, the funeral began. 

Werewolf ceremonies took place at night or as close to that as possible. This being so the Goddess, Selene, could witness. Not that she really cared or did anything to intervene anyway. 

In terms of funerals though, the time of day usually was set for when the final light would soon die. This was both for symbolic reasons, but also for the practical side that would allow us to bury our dead. without the need for torches. 

I went and took a seat in the back corner. However, in doing so, I made one mistake. As I spared a glance out towards the people around me, my eyes fell on a pair of golden ones staring right back. Eyes that I hadn‘t wanted to see. It had been just for a second, but that had been all that was needed. In just that one moment, I felt overwhelmed over how such a small, insignificant glance could say so much between two people. 

I quickly averted my eyes away in the hopes that it would be enough. Enough that he wouldn‘t want to come over and talk to me. Because I couldn‘t deal with that today. I couldn‘t handle anything else. Whatever had happened with Cai had been a mistake and I definitely wouldn‘t be addressing that now. 

Thankfully, it seemed as though Cai got the message as he didn‘t approach me. 

I kept my head down after that, trying to listen to the nominated Elder conducting the funeral. It was hardt o hear what they were saying though. I knew I needed to be here but it was increasingly becoming more difficult. Every breath was feeling harder to take than the last as the anxiety and pain inside me festered. 

Finally, once everything was over, I couldn‘t help but exhale sharply from relief. I stayed until almost everyone had left before I took the opportunity I needed, walking up to approach the coffin. 

I was grateful it was a closed casket since I didn‘t know what I would do had I‘d been forced to look upon her face once more, reliving the memories of when I‘d found her in the park. 

I placed a hand gently on the lid and closed my eyes. 

“I‘m so sorry, Myra,” I said quietly. 

Suddenly, I could feel the hand of someone touch my shoulder and I looked up quickly to see Myra‘s parents there. 

*Thank you for coming,‘ her mother told me. ‘We know our daughter loved you very much. It would mean a lot to her knowing that you came today.” 

i gulped, clenching my jaw for a second, and could feel a wave of nausea hit my stomach as I listened to them naively praise me. 

*I‘m sorry...,” I said weakly. 

They both smiled at me, clearly misunderstanding and thinking I was apologising for their loss in a general way. 

“Thank you, dear,” her mother said, gently grabbing my hands in hers tenderly. 

a second before looking to Myra‘s father

were wondering, if it‘s okay with you...,” she started slowly, unsure of herself. “Ah... Well, it would really mean a lot if you could bless her

me with large, hopeful eyes, full of such sadness and belief that I could maybe give their daughter one last final gift to be at peace. It was a childish notion in believing the Goddess actually cared about any of us.

I had once stupidly believed myself in the past life. And I knew I had already robbed

Myra‘s coffin. It was all bullshit, I knew that... but if the show made them think that maybe Myra was in

my throat before proceeding.

who gave us life and strength. We ask you today to please guide your child, Myra, to eternal

I shouldn‘t be

heard her mother say.

head, frowning. “Ah... Um, whose soul was wrongfully... –.”

shoulder once more in comfort but I couldn‘t

can‘t,” I whispered. “I‘m sorry. I‘m

remaining at the funeral, feeling a sensation overwhelming

somewhere private in the distance, a place obscured by some trees and bushes. It was perfect for what I was looking for. Without stopping, I immediately beelined towards it, throwing myself over the public

I did so, I could feel I wasn‘t alone. The familiar presence of someone else was nearby as they leaned against a tree, spectating the scene occurring before them quietly. They must

like shit, Aria,” they finally said bluntly,

Aleric,” I replied feebly, turning my face towards him.

but I could tell he was leaving a distance between us

his sudden show of affection the other day had only made

“You look like you haven‘t slept in days. And, to be honest, if I hadn‘t just seen you throw up for myself,

my mouth with the back of my hand before straightening up.

“I‘m fine.” 

he said with a tone of disapproval. “I was there that night, don‘t lie. I heard what you said.

then you should be focusing the search to find

not talking about that,” he argued. “I’m talking about you blaming yourself for something you didn‘t

I did!” I

I know that you‘re feeling responsible for leaving her alone with someone you‘re convinced killed her. But we

am responsible, Aleric!” I hissed.

of us with an intensity in our eyes from the

of someone clearing their throat, alerting us

me, Alpha heir, Beta heir,” they said awkwardly, probably having caught the last part of our argument. “I‘m sorry to bother you but I have come to report an urgent

before us. He looked terrified at having to b e the one to interrupt

a deep breath

description the Beta heir gave us. The girl Myra was last seen with.”

catch in my throat. “Thea? You‘ve found

to look at me. “I believe so. A patrol team

in my hands, my body moving on

nervous, uncomfortable by my sudden grasp on him. “Oh.. um... South. She‘s south of town. Not far from the

immediately let go of the warrior and started walking towards