“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’drefused; 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 thingwasa 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.
Chapter 26
Damn it!Hurrying to his study, Jackson hoped Reeve wasn’t calling about harboring a fugitive, even though Cain hadn’t really escaped. No, he was definitely innocent but Mystia and Jimmy weren’t. If the High Council decided to pursue charges against them, it was going to be a cluster-fuck of epic proportions. The only thing going for them was no one would be able to identify them as the ones who were responsible for Cain’s escape…no not escape…definitely a rescue.But, even if the High Council viewed it as a rescue, how would Jackson explain that Cain had died, especially with no evidence of a wound? And how come he was now alive? Jackson couldn’t explain that without exposing Smokey. And he would never do that.
Entering the study, Jackson closed the door behind him, hitting the call return button on his phone as he made his way to his desk and sat down. When Reeve answered, he said, “What’s up?”
“You alone?”
“Yes…why?” asked Jackson warily.
“Last night, a number of prisoners escaped from the High Council jail led by Rudy.”
“Rudy! How the hell is that even possible? Wasn’t he in a maximum security cell?”
“No…his intake process hadn’t been completed,” Reeve replied, “and until that was done, he’d be in with the regular prison population.”
