Finding Destiny

The Oracle

Unknown POV

It’s been months and I continually dream of him. I see him everywhere. I smell his scent. I know what this means, but I know it will only end in heartbreak for the both of us. The red headed man of my dreams is obviously my mate - he’s everything that I’ve ever found attractive in a person - the perfect build, not too buff, but not too lean, beautiful shaggy dark red hair and those eyes, Goddess, I could drown in them happily. His scent is citrusy and bergamot, my favorite smells quite literally EVER. And he happens to be a witch - and a strong one at that, which isn’t surprising since he is mated to me of all people. But even though I have Selene herself to thank for such a perfect mate, I find myself wanting to curse her for playing such a cruel trick on me. And the funny thing is - last night was different. I felt as if he could see me, too.

*knock, knock*

I move through my eclectic cabin and open the front door. I knew a pack member would be arriving soon, just as I always know when someone plans to visit me. It does get old knowing things before they happen, no matter how much I find comfort in never having to worry much about the unknown. The small female, Laia is her name, stands on my porch looking devastated and on the verge of a breakdown.

“Hello, Destiny. I’m sorry to stop by without an appointment. Do you have time to do a reading?”

“Of course, Laia. That’s my job as the Pack Oracle. Come on in. I’ll make us some tea,” I tell her as I open my door wider, allowing her entry.

Laia is in her late twenties and though beautiful, she walks around heartbroken. It’s a bit of a curious thing when a wolf hasn’t met their mate by their 21st birthday. Laia has had many requests and pursuers hoping for a chosen mate, but she continues to hold out for her moon blessed mate. I can understand why - Selene blesses each of us with the perfect match - the other half of our soul. Why would you want to take a chosen mate when you know the other half of your heart is out there somewhere?

I point Laia to my living room and turn towards the kitchen to prepare some tea for us. Laia has seen me so many times over the years, I know which tea blends she prefers so I make her favorite: orange flowers, honey, fennel and warm spices. It doesn’t take long since I always have hot water ready to go. It’s as much my job to comfort our pack members as it is to give them guidance and most pack members that come to see me need a bit of relaxation before opening themselves up to me.

Grabbing two cups and pouring the tea, I make my way back out to my living room. Most people might think I’m a bit of a kook with my decor, but it definitely comes with being an oracle. I find odd trinkets fascinating - usually the more curious an item, the more I love it. My entire cabin is full of odd items and plants packed in around all my windows. My living room is a warm taupe color accented with blacks, creams and whites. The furniture is oversized and extra cozy, not just because I love cozy things, but because it helps our pack members get comfortable enough to share their problems with me. If the pack doesn’t feel comfortable visiting their oracle, then I’m not doing my job. They have to know they can trust me with anything - after all, most come to me for guidance and advice on life changing decisions. Laia is snuggled into my sofa and has thrown a cable-knit blanket over her lap - for the past two years, she consistently uses that blanket every time she visits me, which is often. I set her cup of tea down in front of her and take my seat in my hanging wicker chair.

“How are you today, Laia?”

“Oh, you know. I still don’t know what to do. I know my mate is out there. You know my mate is out there. We just haven’t connected yet. I’ve had two more offers by pack members who’ve lost their mates to pursue me. They went through my father, so of course he’s all for it. The men that are interested are wonderful wolves - caring, strong, well-respected within the pack- but..”

“But you don’t want to give up on your mate,” I finish for her. This has been the ongoing problem for years with her. Her father wants her to choose a mate because he hates seeing her so depressed. You see, werewolves need their mates. We crave our mates and the companionship. Without our mates, we feel incomplete. Like a part of our soul is missing. I know this feeling all too well, but I’ve grown to accept the longing as I must.

“Desi..How can I give up? My wolf is a mess. She wants her mate. She doesn’t want me to take another. What if I decide to mate with one of these men and then my moon blessed mate shows up? I’ll never know what could’ve been. How can I throw a gift away from the Goddess herself?” Tears begin to cascade down Laia’s cheeks just as she reaches for her tea. As soon as she takes a sip, she sighs and lets her shoulders relax. It always amazes me how a perfect cup of tea can bring instant relief.

I drink deeply from my own tea and then set my cup down. I reach out for Laia’s hand and she takes mine willingly. As our hands touch, I breathe in slowly and mentally reach out towards our connection. While I know many things that will happen in the near future, I need physical contact with a person to be able to see and feel my way through their future. Thank the Goddess for that because I would hate to be able to see everyone’s life just by a single look.

I dig deep into our connection and glide my way through her many strings of life. The mate bond is always golden and shines the brightest making it the easiest bond to find. As soon as I see her mate bond, I follow it down to the very end. I know her mate is from a different pack because I feel no connection with him that would tie us together. I was able to confirm to her years ago he is a wolf and he has not taken a chosen mate. That is still what I see from him - he has still not taken a chosen mate and I sense a feeling of restlessness. His wolf is longing just as Laia and her wolf are. There is good news for her from this reading, too.

“Your mate is closer than he has ever been. Your bond is not so long to follow. His wolf grows restless and longs to find his other half. Keep searching, daughter of the moon. Double your efforts and you will be rewarded,” I hear my voice ring out, but it’s not my voice. It’s our many voices. Being an oracle comes with many abilities, but my favorite is having a connection to all oracles that have passed on to be with Selene. My sisters in the next life guide me just as I guide my pack, which I’m forever grateful to have their love and bond.

I come out of my trance state just in time to see Laia launching herself at me for a welcoming hug. Tears stream down her face and she wipes them away as fast as they keep flowing. A smile spreads across her face as she releases me. This is one of the best parts of my job - helping people find their way. Guiding people to a happier life.

“Oh, Desi! Thank you, thank you! Thank Selene for me, please! I knew I had to wait! I have to go, oh Goddess, I have to find him!” She gives me another crushing hug as she jolts up and out of my cabin.

Finally, after all these years I’m able to help her. I suspect she will find her mate within the next day or so, with how close the bond felt. I have an inkling he is searching for her, too. At least Laia can finally be happy with her mate. I keep telling myself if I can continue guiding my pack, helping my family in every way possible, that maybe..just maybe I can be happy without my mate. Maybe I can be content with a life knowing my mate is out there and praying he finds someone worthy to take as a chosen mate. There are lots of wolves and witches that take a chosen mate under certain circumstances that go on to live happy, love filled lives.

Even though I love being an oracle, having all this power comes with a cost. That cost is something werewolves would normally never give up, yet we oracles must pay the price for our gifts. I can never take a mate if I want to keep my abilities. If I complete the mating bond, my seeing abilities will be taken away as p*****t. The Moon Goddess blesses, but she also takes away.