A Wolf's True Mate

Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

The musty scent of ancient tomes fills my nostrils as I trail a finger down the spines of leather-bound books towering on shelves that kiss the ceiling, which is lost in shadows. Luca's warmth lingers beside me, his presence a comforting constant in the vast library of the Golden Paw pack. But duty calls him away, a reality I've come to accept with the reluctance of an Omega who has found unexpected solace in another.

"Skye," he murmurs, his voice low and rough like gravel softened by rain, "I have to go."

I turn to face him, meeting those deep blue eyes that mirror the morning sky, clear and endlessly fascinating. His golden hair catches the slanting light pouring through the stained-glass windows, casting a halo effect that always seems to follow him. A sense of foreboding tugs at my heartstrings, but I push it aside, not wanting to spoil the moment with my fears.

"Of course," I say, attempting a smile that feels brittle on my lips. "Elder Trask needs you."

He steps closer, and the air between us vibrates with unspoken words and restrained emotions. The dimple in his cheek appears as he offers me a small, reassuring smile—one that doesn't quite reach his eyes. He leans in, and his lips brush my cheek in a bittersweet caress that speaks of promises and dreams we dare not voice aloud.

"Keep looking for that perfect book," he encourages softly before pulling away, his touch leaving a trail of fire on my skin.

"Will do," I reply, though the prospect of diving into lore and legends without him dims the appeal just slightly.

As his footsteps recede, I'm enveloped by silence—an old friend to my solitary nature. Turning back to the imposing bookcases, I let my telepathic senses fan out instinctively, searching for whispers of knowledge long forgotten. It's a risky move, this use of my secret ability, but the lure of hidden truths is too potent to ignore.

My hand hovers near an ornately carved shelf corner when a flicker of something not quite right tingles across my fingers. I press gently against the wood, and with a soft click, a panel gives way, revealing a concealed compartment. My pulse quickens as I slide my hand inside, fingers brushing against the spine of a book that feels foreign yet familiar.

Pulling it out, I blow off a layer of dust that dances away in the shafts of light, motes sparkling like tiny stars. The cover is plain, lacking the grandeur of its brethren on the open shelves, but it commands attention—a silent sentinel among its peers.

"Curious," I whisper to myself, opening the cover to reveal a title etched in elegant script, 'Chronicles of the Ancients.' It's a book I've never seen before, despite my countless hours lost in the labyrinth of texts and scrolls housed within these walls.

Eagerly, I flip through the pages, the parchment crackling under my touch, each turn unveiling secrets that were meant to stay buried beneath layers of time and memory. In a pack built on tradition and history, I've unearthed an enigma wrapped in leather and mystery.

"Let's see what you're hiding," I murmur, settling into the deep embrace of an armchair that has been my haven more times than I can count. With the book cradled in my lap, I begin to read.

The world fades into the background as I absorb the ancient text, each word pulling me deeper into a story that feels as though it's been waiting for me. My pulse quickens, and there’s a tingle in my fingertips as they trace over lines of prophecy, written in a script that dances like the leaves in a gentle breeze.

"Under the watchful eye of the moon," I read aloud, my voice barely above a whisper, "a cub shall be embraced by the Golden Paw. Named after the vast sky, she will rise from the lowest ranks, bearing gifts unseen."

I pause, heart hammering against my chest. The words resonate with a truth that echoes in the very marrow of my bones, stirring something primal within me. It's as if the prophecy knows me, sees me for who I truly am—the Omega shifter with secrets nestled deep inside her mind.

"Her destiny intertwined with the alpha, she alone holds the key to break his impending doom, a curse that threatens to silence his heart before its time." The words blur, and I blink rapidly, moisture gathering at the corners of my eyes. I can't help but think of Ford, our alpha, so strong and commanding, yet carrying a burden that might cut his life tragically short.

"Could it be?" I question the silent room, my thoughts racing. All those years of feeling like an outsider, the unexplained origins of my birth, and now this—my name, Skye, literally meaning the heavens above. And my rare gift of telepathy, an ability I've kept hidden for fear of rejection or worse, persecution.

"Am I...the one?" My hands tremble, the book nearly slipping from my grasp. "Am I destined to save Ford?"

It's ludicrous, insane even, to think that I, of all people, could be the savior of our alpha. But then again, hasn't my life been a series of improbable events? Found abandoned as an infant, taken in by the pack, my telepathy growing with every year, and now stumbling upon a prophecy that speaks directly to my soul.

"Ford has to know about this," I decide, steeling myself for what's to come. Rising from the armchair, I cradle the book protectively against my chest. My steps are hesitant as I make my way towards the exit of the library, the heavy door suddenly daunting.

"Or should he?" The doubt creeps in, unbidden. Ford was recently told by an old woman that he is destined to die young unless he rejects his true mate. Could I be that mate? Could my existence be the very thing that seals his fate?

With a deep breath, I push the door open, stepping out of the shadows of the library and into the uncertain light of my newfound destiny. The corridors of the Golden Paw Pack house stretch out before me, leading to truths I'm both terrified and compelled to uncover.