The Beta's Forbidden Mate

Chapter 5 - The Oracle

Kimberly POV

Seated on the sofa was an old lady. Her hair had turned gray; her face wrinkled and yet kind. She had a staff beside her that she might be using to help her walk.

When she looked up and our eyes met, she gave me a charming smile. I returned one so as to be polite even when I didn’t know her. I looked up to Ryder and then to River, who were both looking at the lady like someone to be afraid of. Ryder’s eyes were big and round, while River’s jaws were clenched tight.

I wondered why they were like that when I felt nothing wrong, nothing negative about the woman.

“Do you know her?” I whispered to River, who had his arm around my waist.

“Yes. She’s the Oracle. Come on. Let’s get this over with.”

The Oracle? Wasn’t she dead? From what I remember, she was the woman who told my prophecy and died. The sister of Ms. Blaire…

I saw River gulp as he guided me to the sofa in front of where the old woman was sitting. Ryder followed hesitantly. They were probably wary about the woman's visit. She could have another prophecy for us! Then, I understood why their reactions were like that. We had just completed the prophecy and there we were to have another.

We couldn't rest, could we? And why should it always be us? Am I being put to a test? Will my life always be like this? Well, as long as I'm with my mates...

“Aah, we meet at last, my dear. The one who is to rule the lands with her mates of royalty. I am so honored to meet you, my Queen.” She bowed her head slowly. I gasped at what she said and at her action, and also worried that she might fall down when she did.

“You know me, ma’am?”

She was teary-eyed when she got back up and smiled again at me. “Of course, I know you. I have seen you in my vision a few times.”

“Were you the one who gave my prophecy to my parents?”

“Oh, no! It was the previous Oracle. She had quite an ending.” Her face went blank as she had spaced out, turning to the side to look out the window. It was bright and sunny outside with no clouds in sight, but then all of a sudden, the sky was covered with gray clouds. I could see the trees starting to sway a bit, showing that the wind was picking up. There was no rain, but I was afraid of what would happen if this continued. “There could only be one Oracle at a time. I was nothing back then, but a person who went traveling along the lonely roads. It happened all of a sudden. I woke up one day as if I was another person, afraid of the gift, or perhaps the curse, that was given to me.”

The three of us were listening intently to what the woman was saying. It was at that moment I became aware that she was a witch like me. The energy that came out of her body to change the weather outside, I could say she was not powerful, but she was something. Most witches could have elemental powers like me, but it takes one to master his or her own element.

“Alas, I have said too much, my children,” she said as she came back to focus on the present. The gray clouds moved away and it was sunny again. “I’m sorry about that.”

“A witch,” I muttered to myself.

“Yes, my dear. I am a witch. Now, the Oracle. However, I came here not for a prophecy.”

“What do you want then?” Ryder asked. “We don’t want another war.”

“There will be no war. At least, in the near future, your Royal Majesties.”

“Then why are you here?” It was then River who asked.

“I came here for a message.” The Oracle’s dark brown eyes became darker when she looked directly at me. “I do not know what the message is. Only that I am being used as a medium.”

The three looked at each other. River and Ryder’s eyes glazed and I knew they were mind-linking without me. I was about to interrupt their thoughts and join them when the Oracle stood up from her seat.

“My Queen, may I ask you to join me please. I would rather have this done as soon as possible.”

River and Ryder stopped what they were doing and stood up before I could.

“What are you going to do?”

“Let her come to me. The message is to be spoken by her.” The woman who was charming earlier has become a tad serious.

I didn’t need my mate’s permission as I stood up and went to stand in front of her. The twins followed me and each of them stood behind me.

The Oracle offered her hands for me to hold. I looked at her questioningly.

“Hold my hands, dear.”

I did what she had told me. I took her hand and looked up at her to ask what to do next, when her eyes suddenly went all black.

“I know you have not conceived yet and you want a child of your own.

Your questions will be answered if you listen to my words.

Do not worry as this is from the mother, the Moon Goddess herself.

Be attentive and do not miss a word, she says.”

I was about to react and ask her how she knew about what I wanted, but too late. As if I went into a trance, I could not see anything. Everything was blinding white. I could hear the swoosh of the wind. However, I could not feel any. It was as if I was floating and holding on to nothing.

Queen Luna, Queen of Fire, distressed in conceiving,

The moon goddess not happy with the potion drinking,

Yet still favors the witch together with the twin Alphas,

To rule the kingdom and the lands around us.

Appease the anger and sadness of the goddess they must,

Offer themselves to her on the night of the purple dusk,

Perform the ritual and a child you will be blessed,

A baby for you and a wish to be granted so you can rest.