5

The Oracle...man, our teachers loved talking about that beast. The connection she supposedly has with their creator lets her do impossible things. Like foreseeing the future and causing enemies pain. She is supposed to be as old as the world, which isn't surprising since the Lycans are immortal. Nathan used to joke around and say the beasts like being heroes and that's why the Oracle hasn't gotten rid of the bloodsuckers herself. 

Oh, Nathan. What am I going to do without you? You kept me grounded in the world. You were the person I knew I could depend on after we lost our parents. You were my safe place. I am alone now, all alone in an underground Beast den. 

My chest begins to burn, and my eyes sting, but I fight back the emotions that threaten to unleash again. I have cried so much that I am exhausted, but I can't sleep. I know it is almost morning, but I still can't close my eyes. 

"Human," Giulia says softly, and I look over at her. 

She has been studying me the past few hours we have been by the fire. At first, I found it unnerving, but I eventually forgot she was even there. 

"What do you know about us," she asks with honest curiosity in her big brown eyes. 

I shrug before looking back at the flames. I push my mind past Nathan and think. I didn't really focus on the beasts as a kid. I knew what they did, and I feared their strength. As an adult, I became more curious, but I had work to deal with. I wanted to experience the forest, but I had hoped to avoid meeting the beasts. 

"All the basic stuff we learned in school...Your people are immortal and strong. You have advanced healing, and you can shapeshift between forms. Your blood is toxic for Bloodsuckers, and your creator made your people to protect human life. The Oracle is your connection to that creator," I recite after a few seconds, and she nods. 

"For the most part, that is correct. We were designed to be Earth's protectors. The greatest threat to this world is the thirsty ones. They attack everything, not just humans. They breed easily, so fighting their numbers seems neverending. We live until we are killed...we don't refer to that as immortal. We call ourselves "immutabile" or unchanging in your language," she says, and I nod while continuing to watch the fire. 

"I need to explain something to you," she says suddenly, and I look toward her. 

Slight curiosity stirs in my gut. She seems intent on sharing something important with me. 

"We can kill them with ease, but sometimes their numbers overwhelm us...Each Lycan lost is devastating to us. Over the centuries, we have lost many pack members...friends...family members. It takes us a long time to breed, so our numbers don't replenish as easily as the thirsty ones do. We can only reproduce with our mates, and it may take a Lycan centuries to meet their mate. Our mates are our other halves. The half of our soul that was split from ours when we were created. Mates are special. You can physically harm your mate with only words. They are tied to you...emotionally and physically. When a mate is killed more times than not, the other Lycan will goes crazy with grief," Giulia says, and my eyebrows lift. 

Our teachers never told us the beasts have soulmates. 

"Interesting," I whisper, and she nods. 

She looks toward the room's opening as if she is making sure no one is listening before turning back to me. 

"The Oracle has shamed the Alpha. She used to be a part of this pack a hundred years ago, but she left. Even though she is his older sister, she could not stand his behavior...Alpha has become resentful toward humans. He misses the souls we have lost in the great battle against the thirsty ones. He is saddened from watching countless members grieve. He feels like we can never do enough. He is tired of the endless killing. Because of that pain, he doesn't protect human life like he used to. He made the rule about humans leaving their cities because he refused to lose pack members for humans who left their protective walls. The Oracle disapproved of the "leave the walls. You are on your own" rule. She said it was cruel to force humans into a box for their entire lives. She said she would not stay here if he chose to punish humans with curious hearts. Alpha stood firm, and The Oracle left. They haven't spoken since," Giulia whispers, and I look at her, a little stunned. 

Why is she telling me all this? 

"The fact that Alpha reached out to his sister because of you has me curious. Plus your reaction to him earlier...," Giulia says before a loud growl erupts around us. 

The vibrations from the growl seem to rattle my very bones. Terror consumes Giulia's face, and I begin to tremble violently. 

"GIULIA, COME," the deep voice I have memorized yells, and Giulia instantly stands. 

She walks past me quickly with her head down, and I immediately feel bad. I want to turn around to see what is happening to her, but I am too frightened. He seems furious-more than he was at the hole even. 

After a minute of tense silence, another naked female beast sits in front of me, and I realize he has given me a new guard altogether. This unknown female doesn't acknowledge me at all, even though my eyes are glued to her. She makes a point of avoiding my gaze. 

My new guard is more wild looking than Giulia. Her black hair is untamed and curly. Her tan skin is dirty in places, and her dark eyes have a sharp gleam to them. She makes me feel uneasy. I shiver and move closer to the fire. She finally looks at me, and I see dried blood on her chiseled jawline. My eyes widen, and she tilts her head. 

"Slow your heart. There is nothing to fear. Lay down and sleep. I will watch over you," she says, and my eyes widen when I hear the soft voice that emits from her throat. 

I nod once and lay down. She might look scary, but she sounds like a sweetheart. I stare at the hungry flames for a few more minutes as my eyes grow heavy.

My life has changed forever, and it's all because I couldn't accept living inside the walls. 

As my mind shuts down for sleep, a hazy picture begins to form of a beautiful green-eyed woman with a big smile. Her blonde hair is gorgeous as it blows around in a breeze I can't feel. As her image becomes more solid, I realize I am no longer in the dark cave. 

"Hello, precious one," she says, and her angelic voice caresses my ears. 

"Hi," I reply shyly, and she giggles softly. 

"There is nothing to fear. I would never harm you," she says, and I immediately shake my head. 

"I'm not afraid," I declare firmly, so this beautiful woman isn't offended by me. 

"Excellent. I am happy to hear that. Are you being treated well, precious one," she asks as she steps closer to me? 

I nod a little, and she tilts her head to the side before smelling the air around me. 

"You smell clean. But I can sense your grief and fear. You can be honest with me, sweetheart. I am on your side. My creator and I treasure you. You are safest in my presence, whether that be here in the dream world or in the living world. I will always protect you," she says, and my eyes widen. 

The dream world....I lick my lips as I think over her comforting words. It takes a few seconds, but realization eventually dawns on my groggy mind. 

"You...you're the Oracle," I whisper, and her smile practically lights up the entire area. 

"That's right, I am. I am traveling toward you now, but I could not wait to see you. You are special. My creator hasn't told me everything yet, but I know that much," she says, and I smile. 

She watches me with kind eyes, and I bite my lip while deciding between playing along or trying to wake myself up. 

"I am sad that I lost my best friend and future husband. He was my world. Everyone here has ensured my safety...and Giulia had been nice to me. It's just...I keep making the Alpha angry. He doesn't seem to like me much, and he doesn't want anyone telling me anything I don't think," I finally explain, and she nods. 

Her beautiful green eyes grow sad, and I feel terrible for affecting something so beautiful. 

"My brother is lost. He has allowed grief to taint his soul. He is angry and bitter at the wrong people. Be patient with him, dear one. He will need time," she says, and her face begins to blur. 

"I will see you after the next moon. Stay safe," she whispers before disappearing completely.