The Oracle's Awakening: Amara

The Tour

Amara POV

We soon find ourselves outside the packhouse and on the training grounds. Once the pack is somewhat settled, members will be able to use this area to hone their skills. Dallas and I were impressed by the size and sophistication of the facilities, asking questions and taking notes as Autumn and Tristan explained the different training programs available. They've taken a page from Crescent Moon's book and will have experienced instructors who will train everyone in combat and agility, as well as weapons and potentially magic. Stirling and Layla decided they wanted to stay there for a while, along with Alexa, Patrick, and Phoenix. It doesn't surprise me, especially given that, despite not being in use yet, they have stocked up on everything from swords to spears, guns, and bullets, as well as investing in some moving targets. Phoenix, Silver Moonflower's Delta, is making sure everyone knows where everything is. You can tell he's champing at the bit to start running training sessions.

"You can say that again, look at him! His eyes are bulging like a kid in a candy store!" Rose chuckles.

"He's happy, Rose! They all are. Look at them. I'm so glad that Alexa has found her mate, and Autumn and Tristan have a complete team, well excluding Phoenix's mate but I'm sure it won't be long until she shows herself." I sigh.

"Me too. I noticed that Alexa was a little down and out when everyone was acting loved up. Now, she gets to experience it firsthand. Love is a beautiful thing." She hums.

"It is, isn't it." I giggle, looking at my mate who is scribbling things down like he's going to forget everything if he doesn't.

Our next stop is the healing center. Autumn takes the time to explain the various herbs and remedies that her parents had their healers use in their practices, and we all listen carefully, making mental notes and in Dallas' case, scribbling them down. We express our admiration for the dedication and expertise required to perform a healer's duties. They take care of anyone who has an injury or ailment. Despite having our wolves to heal us, some things go beyond their abilities. As soon as we arrived at our next destination, the library, Bryce was off like a rocket. His eyes glimmered with so much happiness, I thought he was about to cry. Autumn showed us around, revealing the ancient books the library held.

"Does it feel like there is something in here calling you?" Rose queries, her voice tinged with hesitance.

"Sort of... Like a niggle in my mind. You feel it too?" I respond, a little wary.

"Hmmm, I wonder what it is..." She ponders.

"Are you alright, babe? You didn't answer me when I called out." Dallas whispers as he drapes an arm over my shoulders.

"Yeah, I think so. Rose and I were just talking. We get the feeling something in here is calling to us, but we can't work out what." I whisper back.

"Maybe we can come back here later this afternoon? We've just got the security room to look at and then we're free to roam around." He suggests.

"I like the sound of that. I know you've been dying to see their setup. I'm surprised Stirling isn't with us so he can see it too." I muse.

"He and Layla will probably end up there with Alexa and Patrick, no doubt," He offers. "Come on, they're waiting for us."

We follow Autumn and Tristan who are walking slightly ahead of us. Dallas' fingers are entwined with mine as we admire the surroundings, flowers in full bloom, shrubbery, and beautiful trees.

"Amara, you mentioned seeing the tree with silver leaves. Do you think it's real?" Autumn asks, slowing down to match my pace.

"Well, I don't know. It felt very real in my dream." I answer, stumbling over a loose rock in the ground.

Dallas is quick to catch me before I fall, and he turns to them with a confused look in his eyes. "Why are you asking?" He asks suspiciously.

"How would you feel if we said it is real?" Tristan hints.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dallas demands.

Tristan and Autumn stare at one another, a knowing smile on each of their faces. I gasp audibly at the sight in front of me. It's the tree! The one from my dreams! Dallas' head swings around faster than any of us can blink, and he lets out a sharp shriek. Standing before us, bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, is the tree with silver leaves. I simply can't believe it. Its large branches reach toward the sky like outstretched arms, its leaves shimmering with an otherworldly light that seems to defy explanation. Dallas and I stare in disbelief, our eyes wide with wonder and awe.

"It's... it's real," I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper.

Dallas reaches out tentatively, his fingers brushing against the bark of the tree. A jolt of energy courses through him, sending shivers down his spine as he takes in what he's looking at.

"But how...?" he stammers, his mind struggling to comprehend the impossible.

"Well, perhaps it's easier if we show you." Tristan says as he steps closer to the tree.

As we stand in the presence of the enchanted tree, a sense of peace washes over us all, filling the air with a tangible calmness that soothes the turmoil in our hearts. Dallas and I watch as Autumn moves to stand next to Tristan, grasping his hand in hers as they both reach out to touch the trunk. Their pack's emblem appears, engraved in the tree and lit up in a silver gleam. Tristan and Autumn have a slight glow to them as they turn to face us. I can tell by Tristan's cheeky grin that Dallas and I are wearing matching expressions of shock.

"We are the Guardians of Silver Moonflower. This tree is the heart of our pack. The nexus of magic. It hums with power, given directly by the Moon Goddess herself. The land you stand on is the very land that our ancestors walked on. The first of our kind were gifted this land by Selene. It is a sanctuary for ALL supernaturals, and it is ours to protect." Autumn pauses, casting her gaze over my mate and I. "This is the Enchanted Grove."

"Amara Caswell, follow the path your heart guides you to. You will find the Crescent Moon Altar. It will reveal itself only to you, for you are the Oracle it seeks to bestow. A gracious gift from our Goddess, a gift the world needs but does not know. It is time." They say in unison, their voices coming out merged with other voices, ancient and powerful voices.

My eyes widen in astonishment, my breath catching in my throat as I absorb the weight of their words. Dallas stands beside me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and awe.

"The Crescent Moon Altar... my dreams... I'm... An Oracle..." I murmur, my voice so quiet that I don't think anyone can hear me.

Dallas turns to Autumn, his eyes searching for reassurance amidst the swirling chaos of his thoughts. "What does this mean? She can't go alone!" he yells, his voice tinged with uncertainty and concern for me.

Tristan and Autumn exchange a knowing glance, no doubt they are silently communicating the gravity of the moment. They're quiet for a few minutes, probably mindlinking one another.

"Baby, you can't do this alone." Dallas hurriedly links me.

"But, I must, my love. I need to do this." I pause. "I will be okay, you know that. I know you do. Please, understand that I don't WANT to do it alone, it's something I have to do alone." I plead, trying to reassure both my mate and his wolf.

"It means that the path ahead is filled with purpose and destiny," Autumn finally replies. "For Amara, it means embracing her role as the first Oracle in over 200 years and unlocking the ancient wisdom that lies dormant within her. And for us, it means fulfilling our duty as Guardians of Silver Moonflower, protecting our pack, and preserving the balance of magic in the world. Just another day in the life, you know. I believe this is where the Royal Pack was always meant to begin."

"You can't go with her, brother. She needs to do this alone. She'll be safe, don't worry." Tristan reassures him.

My mate nods slowly, his mind processing the magnitude of what he's just witnessed and the fact that he can't accompany me for this task. "But what if something happens? What if she's in danger?" His voice trembles with concern.

"She will be safe, Dallas. Selene watches over all of her children, but she watches over those she has chosen for bigger things a little more carefully." Autumn reassure him.

I meet his gaze, my own eyes filled with determination. "I know this is a lot to take in, darling. But I trust in the guidance of the Moon Goddess, and this is something that needs to be done. I won't let fear hold me back from embracing who I am meant to be."

Dallas' shoulders slump slightly, the tension in his expression easing as he looks deep into my eyes, seeing nothing but unwavering resolve. "Fine, but you be safe and if anything happens, you mindlink me."

I press a gentle kiss on his lips, caressing his cheek with my hands. "I will my love, don't worry."

"I love you." He whispers.

"I love you too." I return before turning to my brother and sister-in-law. "Make sure he doesn't get too out of control. We don't know how long this will take, and I need to know he will be okay."

They offer me a small smile and a nod of agreement, and I take my leave. As I walk towards the forest, I can feel my mate's gaze burning into my back. "I'll see you soon, my love." I link him before I disappear into the tree line.