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. 

for a second before looking to Myra‘s

started slowly, unsure of herself. “Ah... Well, it would really mean a lot if you could

of such sadness and belief that I could maybe give their daughter one last final gift to be

once stupidly believed myself in the past life. And I knew I had already robbed them of their only daughter, so was! about to rob them of

do this and gently placed my hand back on Myra‘s coffin. It was all bullshit, I knew that... but if the show made them think that maybe Myra was in a better place, then

cleared my throat before

We ask you today to please guide your child, Myra, to eternal peace. Her pure

shouldn‘t be

I heard her mother say.

my head, frowning. “Ah... Um,

hand reached to my shoulder once more in

sorry, l–I can‘t,” I whispered. “I‘m sorry. I‘m so sorry.”

the coffin and started to walk quickly away from everyone remaining at the funeral, feeling a sensation overwhelming me that I

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 trash bin

familiar presence of someone else was nearby as they leaned against a tree, spectating the scene occurring before

bluntly,

I replied feebly, turning my face towards

was standing next to me but I could tell he was

show of affection the other day had only made me

like you haven‘t slept in days. And, to be honest, if I hadn‘t just seen you

the back of my hand before straightening

“I‘m fine.” 

“I was there that night, don‘t lie. I heard what you said. It‘s obvious what‘s going on when you put

then you should be focusing the search to find the girl, Thea, not a bunch of

argued. “I’m talking about you blaming yourself for something you didn‘t do.

what I did!”

conversation becoming more heated. “I know enough. I know that you‘re feeling responsible for leaving her alone with someone you‘re convinced killed her. But we don‘t have any evidence yet, Aria, so I don‘t know

responsible, Aleric!”

of us with an intensity in our

broken by the sound of someone clearing their

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 matter that is requiring your attention.”

young warrior who stood before us. He looked terrified at having to b e the one to interrupt us mid–argument.

a deep breath to calm himself.

Beta heir gave

catch in my throat. “Thea? You‘ve

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

and grabbed his jacket in my hands,

grasp on him. “Oh.. um... South. She‘s south

the warrior and started walking towards