Scarred By Fate

Heather POV: A warm summer breeze carries the sweet scent of honeysuckle across the clearing. Although the sky is darkening, hinting that autumn is on the horizon, the bonfire crackles merrily and holds the night’s chill at bay. I sit close to the flames with my brother, Nicholas, and our friends. Laughter rings out when Anthony, one of Nicholas’s closest allies, shares some ridiculous joke. Nicholas lets out his signature booming chuckle, making me smile in spite of myself. It has been a blessing to spend time here again, surrounded by family and friends. Since meeting my mate, Cole, four years ago, I haven’t come home as often as I’d like. His duties as Beta of Blood Moon, compounded by tensions with Shadow Pack, have kept us both too busy to travel. I only saw my parents once after our son, Zach, was born nearly two years ago. Now, we’re here to celebrate Nicholas and Kayla’s mating ceremony, and it has brought us all together. Cole settles behind me and tightens his arms around my waist. The warmth of his chest against my back is comforting, and he rests his chin gently on my shoulder. “You’re quiet, love,” he murmurs. His low voice sends a pleasant shiver through me. “I’m just happy,” I say, leaning my head against his. He smells of cedar and home, and it makes me sigh with contentment. He is a wonderful mate—kind and attentive—and utterly devoted to our son, Zach. Whenever Zach looks at him with those bright eyes, Cole all but melts. I know he will be just as smitten with the little one growing inside me. My hand drifts to my stomach, a small smile tugging at my lips. He doesn’t know yet, and I’m surprised he hasn’t scented my pregnancy. It must be early still. Helena, my wolf, confirmed it this morning. ‘He will be overjoyed, Heather. This time, it’s a girl.’ My excitement flutters at the thought. I already picture him teaching her to dance, twirling her around as he does Zach, filling the air with her laughter. The bonfire crackles, sending bright sparks toward the sky. For a moment, the flames sputter, and the shadows beyond the fire seem to shift. I catch a glimpse of movement on the edge of the clearing—a cloaked figure standing just beyond the reach of the light. A chill creeps along my arms. I glance toward the tree line, but see only silhouettes of pines swaying slightly. The clearing feels too still now, as though the night itself is holding its breath. “Are you all right, my love?” Cole murmurs, sensing my sudden tension. Concern softens his brown eyes. “I’m fine,” I reply, pushing down the unease. “I think I’ll turn in early. I want to check on Zach.” Cole’s strong hands press gently against my sides, and he nods. “An early night sounds perfect.” I swot at his chest with a small laugh, letting him guide me away from the bonfire. We offer quick goodnights, then slip into the trees along the familiar path toward my parents’ house. Under the canopy, the warmth of the evening fades, replaced by a strange heaviness in the air. I stop short. Something feels wrong, as if an invisible weight settles over the forest. My instincts clamour in the back of my mind, and Helena bristles. Cole goes rigid beside me, his protective nature flaring. He steps in front of me, scanning the darkness. Before either of us can speak, a voice breaks the silence. “Do not be afraid, my children.” It is a deep, resonant voice that commands attention. From the shadows, the cloaked figure emerges, stepping forward with slow, deliberate movements. She lowers her hood, revealing a face that looks impossibly fragile. Her skin is almost translucent, her dark hair framing angular cheekbones. But it is her eyes that make my breath catch—milky white, without any visible irises. An Oracle. Cole and I bow our heads in respect. When he speaks, there is awe in his tone. “Oracle, what an honour.” “Rise, my children,” she says gently, but her voice carries a weight beyond human comprehension. “Listen well, for I bring a message from the goddess herself.” My stomach clenches. The Oracle lifts her hands toward the sky, and suddenly the bonfire back in the clearing roars. A gust of wind rips through the trees, swirling leaves around us in a frantic dance. When she speaks again, her voice seems layered, as though countless echoes reverberate beneath each word: “Under the Pink Moon, a white wolf shall rise, Forged in hardship, scarred by fate. She alone shall stand against the coming darkness, A force born of the Fallen One’s will, Seeking to end the children of the moon. Beware those who seek to claim her, For only through love shall she ascend.” Silence descends with a crushing finality, and the wind dies as abruptly as it began. I realize my entire body is trembling. Cole’s grip on my arm tightens, but I barely feel it. “What does this mean?” he asks, his voice rough with uncertainty. The Oracle’s pale eyes flick to his face, then settle on me. She steps forward and clasps my hands in her own. The shock of contact is instant—ice surges up my arms, followed by searing heat flooding my veins. I cannot move, though every part of me wants to recoil. She begins to speak again, the words pounding in my mind like a chorus of voices: “Four shall be bound to her soul, Their fates entwined, their strength united. Through their bond, the lost shall awaken, And the ancient bloodline shall be reborn. From their union, a king shall rise, A son of both past and future, To reclaim the throne long forsaken, And restore balance to the world. Bound by five, her strength shall awaken, And through their bond, the Lycans shall rise. The time nears—the White Wolf stirs.” When she finally releases me, I stagger back, head swimming. My heart thuds in my chest, and I can still feel echoes of those whispered voices. The Oracle turns to Cole, as though nothing strange just happened. “It means the daughter of Selene has been conceived,” she says calmly. My breath stutters. Her words, so direct, leave no room for doubt. She knows. She knows about the child in my womb. My hands shake as I press them over my flat stomach. She steps closer, lowering her voice so only I can hear. “She will change everything.” A cold dread and fierce love battle inside my heart. “What can I do?” I whisper. “Be ready, Heather. She will face trials you cannot imagine, and there are those who will seek to either control her or destroy her before she can fulfil her destiny.” Her fingers press lightly against my forehead, and a sudden warmth radiates through my entire body. For a moment, my fear eases, replaced by something that feels like hope. “You carry the future, child. Protect her well.” Then, just as swiftly as she appeared, the Oracle melts into the darkness, leaving nothing but the memory of her words and the knowledge that life, for all of us, is about to change forever. Cole’s breathing is ragged behind me. I reach for his hand, gripping it as though it is the only solid thing in this world. My head is spinning, but one thought stands clear: I must protect my daughter with everything I have. Nothing will ever be the same again.