Chapter 25

“Cain was dead!” Mac exclaimed, looking at Jackson. “So how can he be alive? What the fuck happened?”

“Smokey’s abilities worked,” Jackson replied. “And for that, I will be eternally grateful. You know he used them on Harte and Willow…and apparently also on himself when Josiah shot him. I just didn’t know they’d work on a human.”

“Yes, but they weren’t dead,” Mac said. “Cain was…his heart had stopped…completely.”

“Mac’s right, Jackie,” Colton said. “Cain had no heartbeat when I left. Trust me, a heart just doesn’t come back to life on its own…not after all that time.”

“Well, it did,” Jackson said.

Ian, who’d been deep in thought throughout the conversation finally spoke up. “It’s good to know there’s another tool we have in our medical arsenal, but it would help if Mac, Colton, and I knew more about Smokey’s abilities.”

“Ian has a point,” Mac agreed. “It would allow us to choose the best treatment for our patient. For instance, Cain was alive when he arrived…if we knew Smokey’s abilities would work on a human, then we wouldn’t have had to waste precious time trying other procedures.”

“I understand,” Jackson replied. “I didn’t intentionally keep you in the dark about Smokey’s abilities, but…”

“We know that,” Colton said.

Nodding, Jackson continued, “It was more a matter of waiting to see if Smokey, Norm, and Theo would complete their claiming…which, I might add, has been done. Now that that’s resolved, I can brief him about our powers and, after that, I promise to send him down here to explain what he can do.”

“I look forward to it,” Ian said. Then, glancing at Mac and Colton, he added, “We’re all eager to meet with him to learn how we can complement his abilities.”

“Good…and for now, keep this confidential, please,” Jackson said, “until I can find out if Smokey and his mates could be in danger if this information becomes known.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Ian replied. “Since he is now a member of the Blackwood Pack, any information he discloses will be regarded as medical information and will automatically stay confidential.”

“Perfect,” Jackson replied. “Any other issues?”

“What about Cain Foster?” asked Mac. “Is he going to stay or are you sending him back to prison?”

“He’s staying,” Jackson replied. “So the same rules apply regarding him that apply to Smokey…everything about his treatment…including what clothes were on him when he arrived will be kept confidential. Understand?”

“Of course, Alpha,” Ian murmured.

Turning to Colton, Jackson said, “I want Cain’s clothes destroyed…totally.”

“I’ll take care of it, ” assured Colton.

Giving a brief nod, Jackson said, “Let me know as soon as it’s done.” Feeling his phone vibrating in his pocket, he pulled it out, frowning when he saw the caller’s name. Ignoring it, he looked at the medical team and said, “If you have any questions after talking to Smokey, let me know.” Then after getting affirmative responses from Ian and Mac, Jackson left the room, heading to his study to return the call.

~/~/~/~/~

Oracle walked past several doors until she came to the one that Tristan was behind. Knocking softly, she then entered after receiving permission. Moving gracefully over to his desk, she said, “Alpha, I must speak to you.”

Looking up from his computer screen, Tristan saw a beautiful woman with long silver hair that fell in layers around her face, but what caught his attention were her icy-green eyes locked on his. It made him think that she was the huntress and he her prey. A shiver skated up his spine at that thought but then the manners his mother had ingrained in him suppressed it. Rising, he said, “Please call me Tristan. How may I help you?”

“I am Oracle…”

“A real Oracle?” Tristan asked, stunned.

“Yes, and the Fates have sent me.”

“Why?” asked Tristan, as he gestured to one of the chairs in front of his desk. “Please…”

Lowering herself gracefully until she was seated, Oracle murmured her thanks as she waited for Tristan to sit. When she had his full attention, she began. “Very soon you will face an enemy intent on thwarting all your plans for the survival of your pack. The Fates…”

“Wait a minute…who are you talking about?”

“I cannot say but you will soon find out. To defeat them will require you to choose who you will save…yourself or your pack. ”

“I already know who I’ll save.”

“You do?”

“As far as I’m concerned, there isn’t any choice because my pack will always come first,” Tristan replied. “Do you, or the Fates, think so little of me that I would betray my pack? That I could live with myself, knowing I did nothing to save innocent men, women, and children?” Giving Oracle a hard stare, he said, “Well they’d be wrong! No matter what it costs me, I shall do everything in my power to protect my pack…even if it costs me my life.”

“And what about your mate? Sacrificing your life, while noble, also means your mate will die. Are you willing to sentence him to death?”

“Do the Fates really believe my mate would choose himself over doing the right thing?” Tristan asked, his anger beginning to rise.

“I did not say that.”

“But you implied it!”

“It is a fair question. Volunteering to give your life to save your pack is a personal decision; but that decision also impacts your Fated Mate…the one you swore to protect.”

“I am well aware of that,” Tristan said, “but I know Heath would agree with my decision because he also swore to protect the pack when he became the Alpha Mate. Besides, I know my mate and he would be devastated if innocents died who he could have saved. So the answer to your question is yes, and I stand by my choice. Now if that’s all you want to speak to me about, I must ask you to leave. I’m not trying to be rude but if what you say is true about an imminent attack, there are preparations I must make.”

Smiling, Oracle murmured, “The Fates are right…you are the Chosen One.”

Puzzled at her comment, Tristan leaned back in his chair and looked for a sign that she was playing a practical joke on him. He couldn’t figure out why an Oracle would do that, but suddenly another thought popped into his mind. Of course, she’s at the wrong pack . Satisfied that was the case, he said, “I think there’s been a mistake. Whatever it means, I can assure you I’m not the Chosen One, but I do hope you find him…or her, as the case may be.”

“No, it is definitely a him,” Oracle said, with a hint of laughter in her voice.

“Right…then I hope you find him,” Tristan replied, trying to keep his annoyance in check. He found the conversation totally confusing and it was beginning to piss him off.

“I already have found him.”

Oh shit…here we go again. By the look on the Oracle’s face, she believed he was the ‘Chosen One’… whatever that is . She was clearly confused—his father’s refusal to acknowledge him as his son was proof he’d never been chosen for anything. Trying again, he asked, “Oracle, I know the Fates are always right, but do you think it’s possible you’ve got the wrong Alpha?”

“No, you are the one I seek,” Oracle replied. “You are the Chosen One.”

Tristan sat forward with a thud. Shaking his head, he murmured, “Impossible…it’s just impossible.” Burying hi s face in his hands, he wondered why she was being so…so…

“Tristan,” Oracle said softly. “It’s not impossible. For a long time, the Goddess of the Moon watched as Josiah ravaged this pack and her heart bled for her precious wolves who were suffering under the heel of his boot. But she could not interfere so, in desperation, she went to the Fates, pleading with them to find a savior for the pack. The Fates finally agreed, but there were two conditions. She would give the one they chose a gift, and she would have to be patient. She gratefully accepted their terms and then anxiously began to wait for the Chosen One to appear.

“Finally, the Fates sent her a message that you had been born, but cautioned her that it would take years before you were old enough to wrest control of the pack from Josiah—and even then, there was no guarantee that the Chosen One would assume the mantle.”

“Why not?” asked Tristan.

“Neither the gods nor the Fates are allowed to influence the decisions made by us.”

“So that’s why Josiah got away with the evil he did,” Tristan said, slowly shaking his head.

“Exactly,” Oracle said. “As the years passed, the Goddess of the Moon watched you from afar, hoping the day would come when you’d seek out your father and take control of this pack.”

“I planned on killing my father for what he did to my mother,” Tristan murmured.

“I know…but that was resolved by the time you arrived,” Oracle said. “The Goddess of the Moon and the Fates waited to see what you would do…would you leav e, since your father was dead, or would you take your place as the rightful heir—the Alpha of the Silver Point Pack.”

“I almost left.”

“But you stayed and became the Alpha,” Oracle said softly. “Proving to the Fates and the Goddess of the Moon that you are truly the Chosen One. I have been sent to give you the gift the Goddess of the Moon promised long ago.”

Frowning, Tristan said, “I don’t really need a gift…but, I could use more information about those you claim are planning to attack my pack. I must make sure my members can evacuate in time so no harm comes to them.”

“The gift will help you in that matter,” Oracle replied.

“I doubt it,” Tristan muttered. “Unless it’s five hundred enforcers. I’m dreadfully short of those.” Oracle’s laughter made him reluctantly smile. “You think I’m joking but I’m not…I really could use more enforcers right now.”

“Unfortunately, neither the Fates nor the Goddess of the Moon can give you that, but trust me, their gift could not come at a better time.”

“Okay…what is it?” asked Tristan, eager to be done with the conversation. As far as he was concerned, it was a waste of time he badly needed if what the Oracle claimed was true.

“You have been given the gift of Absolute Courage,” Oracle replied.

“Oookay…never heard of it and certainly don’t know how it’s going to help me, but please pass along my thanks to the Fates and the Goddess of the Moon. ”

Ignoring his comment, Oracle continued, “Anyone who has this gift has the power over courage…in himself and in others whether it is to grant it or remove it. The gift also gives you the power to draw on a bottomless well of courage no matter what you are facing.”

Staring at Oracle, Tristan was speechless; his mind was incapable of understanding what she said about his gift. The only way he knew someone could get courage was through drinking. When he’d been reluctant to ask his latest crush out on a date, his college roommate had suggested liquid courage But his roommate was wrong. Even after drinking more shots than he could remember, at the end of the night he still didn’t have the nerve to make the phone call.

Finally, he found his voice. “Are you serious? How the hell can I give someone courage…they either have it or they don’t. And a ‘bottomless well of courage’ for me? A bit dramatic, don’t you think?”

Smiling, Oracle said, “I am very serious. As for having it or not, I can assure you everyone has courage, but many times their insecurities will keep them from summoning it. But your gift will help the person overcome their doubts, giving them the courage to act. As for you, your courage will never falter as you lead your pack through the adversity about to descend upon them now and in the future.

“Now, since you have much to do to get ready,” Oracle said, “I will go.” Rising, she stood for a moment looking down at Tristan, then turned to leave.

“Wait! If I have this power, how do I use it?”

Turning back, Oracle replied, “All you have to do is think ‘give courage’ or ‘remove courage’ when you want to use the gift on someone. ”

“What about me?”

“Your courage will always be there whenever you have need of it, Tristan. All you have to do is believe in yourself. You are not the only one with doubts; everyone in this pack has them. This gift will enable you to give back to this pack what Josiah took from it…the courage to stand up for themselves.”

Oracle headed for the door, but then pausing, she glanced at Tristan. “I almost forgot…there are limits to this gift…it will not work on Jackson or anyone in his pack and the only time you can remove someone’s courage is when they pose an imminent threat to you or your pack.”

Tristan slumped back in his chair, staring at the door Oracle had closed after she’d left. It truly had been one of the most puzzling encounters he’d ever had and, in the end, his mind refused to accept that what he heard had been real. Well, Oracle is real…but that was all. Absolute Courage…what a joke! He wondered who’d come up with that bullshit. Probably one of my enforcers…and figuring if an Oracle was in on it, I’d believe it. There was no other explanation he could come up with. It’s like a ‘hell night’ fraternity initiation at college. I bet they do it to every new guy, but since I’m their Alpha they had to come up with a doozy…and I nearly fell for it.

Shaking his head at his own gullibility, Tristan picked up the next member file, opened it, and began to enter its information into the computer. Transitioning from paper to digital was one of the first things he’d done when he took over. It made it much easier to keep track of each pack member, especially those with pups whose needs had been ignored by his father. When Reeve offered to get him an assistant to do the entries, he’d refused; doing it himself was better because it would help him get familiar with each member of his pack.

Pausing for a moment, he opened the memo app on his phone, adding a note about the Blackwood Pack doctor examining the pups to the list of discussion items for his first pack meeting. The sooner that could happen, the better he’d feel. Turning back to his task, Tristan’s mind wandered occasionally back to Oracle and her gift. He had to admit she almost had him believing in it, but the thought he could give courage to someone was just too ridiculous. But still … it would be amazing if it were true.

The thought just wouldn’t leave his mind. Putting his work on hold, Tristan leaned back in his desk chair and started rocking slowly as he focused on his conversation with Oracle. Reviewing it in his mind, he concentrated on her warning of an attack, realizing it was that which made the whole thing unbelievable. It was impossible for him to accept that she knew who it was, but refused to tell him so he could take the steps to get his pack members out of harm’s way. But if the whole thing was a made-up story, then of course she wouldn’t have a name to give him. And with that thought, Tristan concluded he’d been pranked. Everything…the attack…the gift…was part of an elaborate joke.