Fear of Rejection

She stood in a stance that offered no threat. Her bronze wolf eyes looked at each of them in turn, radiating good will.

“This is the form Hassan took when he met me in the streets,” Beecher snarled, his eyes never leaving the wolf’s. “He won’t fool me again.” But something was different this time. He could feel it.

Instinctively knowing the truth, Beecher fell to his knees in homage, head bowed in reverence. He was in the presence of the real goddess.

“Ashara, is it really you?” His voice quivered as his brain tried to keep up. It had been so long since his mother had told him about Ashara. She had seemed like a fairy tale when he was young, A guardian angel who could grant wishes and keep you safe.

“Yes, my child, rise now, and receive your reward,” her voice was melodious and brought tears to his eyes. She was every bit as beautiful as his mother had divulged. He wondered if his mother had ever seen her. He wondered lots of things now. He had been so foolish to turn