All Chapters of The Goddess Warrior: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Their routine slipped back into the familiar rhythm of work and training. Kaplan tried to be more attentive, small gestures of affection tucked between the demands of his grueling schedule. Yet the pull of training made it difficult for him to remain fully present.Most evenings, he didn’t remain in Jaiyana’s room, giving her space to rest, though every fiber of his body ached to stay— to inhale the scent of her hair, to feel the warmth of her embrace, to simply be near her. Even in separation, the memory of their day together lingered, a quiet thread tying them to each other.By the time they were driving back from the canal, Jaiyana began to understand the weight of his training. The Land Rover hummed along the narrow country roads, fields of wheat and mustard sliding past in waves of gold and green.Kaplan spoke quietly, as if sharing a secret meant only for her. He explained how he had discovered his tiger form, the challenges he had faced learning to control it, and the dangers t

Kaplan set his bag down and sank onto his bed, elbows resting on his knees, head in his hands. Jaiyana settled in the chair across from him, watching the exhaustion etch itself into the lines of his shoulders and spine.After a long moment, Kaplan slowly lifted his head, meeting her gaze. He reached for her hand, drawing it gently toward him and pressing a tender kiss to her fingers.Jaiyana felt a flicker of concern. She didn’t want him to misread the situation with Danny, but she also wouldn’t tolerate jealousy dictating their moments together. Pulling her hand back, she asked softly, “Kaplan… are you jealous?”Kaplan shook his head slowly, his lips pressed into a tight line, eyes rimmed red as though weighed down by an invisible burden.“No… not really,” he murmured, his voice low. “I trust you. I know you wouldn’t betray me. But that Danny… I’ve never trusted him. Even back in school, he was always… different.”The room fell into a heavy silence, the faint hum of the lamp and the

Kaplan’s flights to New York were brutal. He barely noticed the cramped seats, the stale air, or the restless shuffle of passengers around him—his thoughts were elsewhere. Jaiyana’s tear-kissed eyes haunted him, that last look of desperation and longing seared into his chest like a brand. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw her standing there, trying to be strong while he walked away. The distance between them wasn’t measured in miles but in heartbeats, each one heavier than the last. He told himself this was the path he had to take, that the training ahead demanded sacrifice, yet the echo of her voice made every justification feel hollow.Shan was no help. He sulked and prowled along the edges of Kaplan’s thoughts, restless as a caged animal, mourning Jaiyana with a grief that mirrored his own. Every attempt Kaplan made to steady himself was undone by Shan’s presence—his pacing, his low growl of discontent, the way he clung to the memory of her touch as though it were oxygen. Kapla

The phone rang three times before a breathless Jaiyana answered.“Oh, Kaplan! I’m so glad it’s you! Tell me, how was your flight? Where are you? Have you started training?” Her words tumbled out in a rush, excitement threading every syllable.“Breathe, love. Why are you so out of breath?” Kaplan asked, smiling into the phone.Jaiyana let out a long sigh, her voice softening. “Sorry. I was in the shower, heard my phone, and came running,” she explained, the frazzled edges of her tone slowly calming.“A shower, eh?” Kaplan’s lips curved knowingly.“What else can I do to cool down when I’m thinking about you?” she purred.Kaplan’s eyes closed. He pictured the cool water tracing her curves, streams running over her chest, the memory igniting a fire he could almost feel.“Hello? Are you there?” Jaiyana’s voice cut through his reverie.Kaplan cleared his throat. “Yes, I’m here. I, uh… just got to my room.”He described the flights, the people he had met, and the apartment waiting for him—ea

Sam led Kaplan into a chamber encased in thick soundproof glass—Viewing Room 1. Inside, Dr. Kaelan stood bent over a massive book, its brittle pages threatening to crumble with each turn. White gloves protected his hands as he traced the faint ink, his brow furrowed in concentration.“Ah, Kaplan. Come in.” Kaelan straightened, his tone warm but distracted. “Did Sam give you the grand tour?”“Most of it,” Sam replied with a half-smile. “I skipped the boring bits. We haven’t made it to the training floor yet.”Kaelan’s lips twitched at the remark. “I see. Well, I’m glad you’re here.” He rested his hand lightly on the tome. “This is a transcription of ancient Indus script—copied from the seals carved into clay and stone. A vault uncovered at Mohenjo-Daro nearly a century ago held fragments like these. They predate recorded history itself.”Kaplan knew from his studies that the Indus script was widely considered undecipherable.“Are you able to read it?” His voice carried both reverence a