The Alpha Who Melts The Ice

Chapter 20

CELESTINE

10:00 AM

Grayson and strode in a lavish penthouse in one of the swankiest hotels in Downtown LA. It is time to meet the Oracle. Caroline said it is imperative that we meet with the Oracle of the West. 

We were greeted by a septuagenarian lady that oozes old Hollywood glam. She's wearing a long light blue robe that has white feather linings at her neckline, ends of her sleeves and the train. She has impeccably curled and styled white hair and caked on makeup. I can tell she's an absolute looker when she was younger.

"Ahhh, my dear, young Alpha. Welcome. It's so good to see you again!" She greeted in her sing song voice. She then turned her attention to me. "And you. You are this Alpha's mate, am I correct?" She said as she circled Grayson and I.

"Les, this is Madame Viola. The Oracle of The West." Grayson informed me.

I cannot put my finger on it, but there's something about this woman that creeps me out. As she stopped in front of me, she took my hands.

"Oh my. You. You reek of blood. You smell like death, both innocents and guilty ones." She said in a low voice. "It's not even over for you yet." She said.

I felt bile rise to my throat. I pulled my hand away. "Caroline said that we must speak with you. Do you have anything for us that might help us in any way?" I asked, irritation starting to eat at me.

"You." The oracle grabbed my by the chin. "You're not wolf, definitely human, but there's something,,, different about you" She took my hands again. She leans in and closed her eyes.

"Ah, what a pleasant surprise!" Viola said as she opened her eyes. "It's rare that the Goddess Herself grants gifts to humans. And you, Celestine, you have a gift from the Goddess of the Moon. It will come in handy on the coming storm. It may not be a weapon as strong or as deadly as a sword, but this gift was intended by the Goddess for you to use" She said.

"What do you mean gift? Like magic or something?" I asked.

"Nothing that dramatic." She scoffed as she waved her arms. "Tell me, Luna, has anyone tell you NO? How many times have you talked yourself out of trouble? How many business deals have you had that never ended on your terms? Also this, how is it do you think you know what to say when to say things, like you can read another one's mind?" I pondered on the questions. 

"What exactly are you implying? Please do not speak in riddles." I asked as I start to get impatient. "And for the record, I don't read minds." I pointed out

She lightly laughed. I looked over at Grayson who seems to be solving a riddle silently in his head.

"Of course you don't. You are have supreme intelligence that complements your gift. You may think you're just intuitive and somehow lucky, but that's not just the case. You, Celestine, you are a rarity. An anti-oracle. The one gifted with a silver tongue." She put her hand on my shoulders.

"A Charm-speaker?" This was Grayson.

"Precisely." Viola confirmed.

" Isn't that a myth? And how exactly is that going to help us?" Grayson asked.

"I'm sorry, what?" I am getting confused.

"A charm-speaker is someone who can use her words to make reality, which is why they are also called the anti-oracle, as one can influence a man to go against what fate already has in store." Viola tried to explain. 

"I do not understand. If I have this,, gift, as you say, how do I use it? How will it stop the blood shed? How will it end Marcus Hyde?" I asked.

"Alas, I am limited only to the information I already told you. You already have the gift. You are already using it without you knowing it. But how to enhance it, or weaponize it, I am afraid there has never been a charm speaker that has done that. Those who are born with your gift, they are either brought in for negotiating treaties, arbitration for disputes. What the Goddess' purpose is, I have no clue." Viola said.

It's a lot to take in and I am reeling from everything that I have just heard.  After visiting Madame Viola, Grayson took me out to lunch at this swanky Italian restaurant.  He must have sensed my unease and I appreciate him trying to make small talk to make me feel better.

"I would give up my fortune just to be able to know what's going on in that pretty head of yours" Grayson said as he laid his chin on his knuckles as he tries to lean in from across the table. I cannot help admire his arm muscles straining through sleeves of his dress shirt. 

"Honestly, I feel like my head is going to explode. I do not know how to make heads or tails in what Viola just told us. I just wish that there was something that will be helpful." I can't help the frustration from my voice. I did not even realize I was gripping the salad fork so hard until Grayson reached out to brush my fingers.

"I cannot tell you to not worry about it, because that will be hypocritical of me, because I am worried to, and I am angry. You have no idea how much resources I have allocated to track the bastard. I'm sure sooner or later, we'll get that son of a b*tch. And I promise you, I will protect you. He will never get near you again." He squeezed my hand. Somehow, his words comfort me. 

The grim conversation was cut short when the pretty sommelier approached our table to let us know the wine options available. She looks like a real life Barbie doll with her perfectly coiffed blond hair, wearing a dress shirt and a black pencil skirt that hugs her in the right places. I could not help but notice that she was directing the conversation to Grayson, obviously trying to flirt with him. For some reason, this is irritating me, but I school my features. 

"So Celestine, what are you getting?" He asked. I noticed that the entire time, Grayson never took his eyes off me. He never even looked the girl over.

"I'll pass. I still have a lot of things to do." I answered Grayson.

"You heard her. Thank you very much." Grayson said in a very business-like manner and handed back the wine list to the obviously disappointed girl. As she sashayed away from our table, I shook my head very slightly and it was not lost to Grayson.

"What?" He raised one brow at me.