Gifts

Tess 

I stare at the woman with widened eyes and creased eyebrows, utterly dumbfounded and confused. 

What the fuck does she mean ‘they both do’? 

I’ve been around that Alpha, and he’s freaking powerful as is, not to mention massive! Heck, the man is a freaking giant! There’s no doubt about who the freaking Alpha is with him around, so how much more powerful can he get?! 

And how is that a good thing?

Meanwhile, Sofia chuckles into her cup as she sips, amused by my reaction. “Stop staring like a clueless pup. You’re far too old for that.” She mockingly says, continuing to chuckle. 

I snort and narrow my eyes. “Why, you little…!” I huff and cross my arms, glaring at her. 

She can fucking talk. She’s older than me! 

I think she is, anyway.

Despite our ten years of companionship, Sofia's past remains a mystery. The little I know, I've gleaned from eavesdropping on my father and Alpha Isaac. 

Over the years, due to my curiosity, I have tried a few times to get Sofia to open up, not about the bad stuff, just random things like her childhood, maybe get some answers like why she insisted I call her Sofia rather than the other name I knew her by. However, she wasn’t having any of it and told me to butt out. 

Unlike with the other women, I didn’t push it. If she says butt out, you do it, no questions asked, and I almost always oblige her requests since it was my father who turned her into this frail, slightly mad woman.

I don’t know the exact details of what happened or what they did when she was their prisoner, but whatever they did resulted in her losing her wolf, most of her senses, and most of her physical capabilities. Essentially, they crippled her, and that’s just physically speaking, I won’t even begin to fathom what her psychological state is like. 

For as long as I live, Sofia’s expression that night is one of the few things in life that I will never be able to erase from my mind. That raw, excruciating anguish and rage written over her features will always bring me down to my knees. It was so palpable that I couldn't help but feel instant guilt and shame, which is why I took it upon myself to go above and beyond to ensure I could provide for her needs and do whatever she asked for as long as she lived. 

I still hope that one day, she will be willing to answer all the questions I had the night we escaped, such as why she demanded that I never call her Luna or Jennifer again, only Sofia, why she insisted that I tell no one about her, what exactly she meant when she said she lost everything, and finally, how she knows the things she does, especially when they haven’t happened yet.

Her clearing her throat breaks me out of my thoughts. I shake my head and see her pointing her thumb to the kitchen cabinets.

“Go to the kitchen and get yourself a cup. I just made a fresh pot. You don’t have much time, and I have a bit to say, chop-chop.” She orders, flicking her wrist. 

I roll my eyes and sigh, but I do as she says and walk to the cupboard where she keeps her cups. 

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. It’s good for you. You need something to counteract all that caffeine." She tuts around the rim of her cup, scolding me like a child who doesn’t know any better. 

“Just because you’re an A****n now doesn’t mean you are invincible. You still have to look after yourself.” She mumbles quietly into her cup, and I halt in my movement at her words.

I’m still frozen in my spot, too stunned to move, when I hear her letting out a slight hiss as she takes a sip. After a few more seconds of shocked silence, I slowly turn around, my eyes popping out. “What?” I whisper in disbelief. 

She flashes me a knowing smirk, and I don’t miss that wicked gleam sparkling in her eye. “You heard me, and if you want answers to the questions that have been burning holes in your head all this time, you will swiftly move that behind of yours since you are needed elsewhere. It is rude to keep people waiting after all.” 

Holy… Well, shit, she doesn’t have to tell me twice! 

“Oh, speaking of, there is another Alpha outside with that Alpha Wyatt. He’s another good soul. Feel free to tell him whatever you like.” She says after a moment in a nonchalant tone, while I’m scrambling and moving as fast as I can. 

I’m used to her saying things like that. When I go outside, we'll see if she’s right. As I said, the safety of my girls is most important to me. Especially Cora.  

Once I’ve filled my mug, I settle into a chair before her like a child preparing to hear a bedtime story. 

I’m honestly bouncing in excitement. I know I shouldn’t be, as this is serious, but she’s been so closed off and secretive all these years. It’s like I’m finally getting a glimpse behind the curtain. 

I sip my tea, my head scrambling, not knowing what to ask first. After a moment, I say, “So, uhm…” but Sofia raises her hand, wordlessly cutting me off, and I purse my lips inwards, falling silent instantly.

“Good, little mousey.” She chuckles. 

I narrow my eyes, one eye slightly twitching in annoyance. “First, you call me a pup, and now a mouse? What the hell?!” I say, irked by her little jabs. 

“I happen to find mice much nicer than rats, and let’s face it, your family has their share of rats.” She calmly states, arching her brow, daring me to talk back. 

I tilt my head back and sigh, mentally rolling my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Frankly, I think calling them rats is actually demeaning to rats, but whatever, can we get on with what you want to tell me?” I say impatiently. 

She chuckles, mumbling ‘good point’ before taking a deep breath. 

“Alright, you once asked me how it is that I know so much about Amazons, and on more than one occasion, you asked how I knew this or that was going to happen. Well, despite all the cute little nicknames you have so lovingly given me, none of them were close to describing what I am.” She says, flashing a knowing smirk and wiggling her eyebrows. “Although, I agree that I can sometimes be ‘a pain in the ass’.”

Oh crap, I didn’t know she knew that. Whoops.

“First, let me briefly explain some things. A****n tribes are somewhat similar to other shifter or wolf packs in that they also have a rank system, and much like in other packs, you tend to be born into those rank titles. However, we don’t use the same terms. For example, you may have noticed that I always call Corinna ‘Queen’ and not ‘Alpha’ other than to use it as a comparison in our previous conversations. Then you have a High Priestess who is like a Beta but with a twist. A priestess also has gifts, different ones from the Queen's. She’s not only the senior advisor to the Queen but also the tribe’s eyes, known as the ‘Oracle’.” She pauses and turns to me, briefly widening her eyes like she’s hinting at something.

I can’t help but nervously swallow the invisible lump in my throat. That knowing, mischievous smirk she’s giving me is a little eerie. She’s definitely giving me the damn creeps because I think I know what she is hinting at. If I am correct, then Holy Mother Moon Goddess! 

“Then we have the Queen’s protectors, six of them. They are similar to a Gamma but with a more specific purpose. Their sole job and responsibility is to protect the Queen and her heirs, no matter the cost. Care to venture a guess what rank I was born into?” She asked with an arched brow while raising her cup to her lips. 

“Erm…” I mumble, utterly dumbfounded by everything she’s told me. I calmly place my cup on the table and turn my gaze to the floor. I start rubbing my temples and forehead, willing my brain to work faster to comprehend all this information. 

After a few moments of silence, I lift my gaze, still in shock, only to meet Sofia’s stoic, patient expression. 

I thought I would get answers, but all she’s done is give me more questions. Just what in the actual fuck, woman?! 

My thoughts make me laugh out loud like a madwoman because I don’t know what to do or say. I am experiencing so much information overload that I don't know where to begin. 

“Too much?” She playfully taunts, breaking the intense awkwardness in the room, which I appreciate. 

“Ya think?” I sarcastically answer back. 

Sofia chuckles and nods her head in sympathy. “Just ask what you want to ask.” 

“So I’m correct in assuming, since you know all this stuff, you are not only an A****n yourself, but a high-ranking one? A High Priestess, oracle, or the tribe's eyes, whatever you call it? As you always seem to know stuff.”

“Yes, I was born in a tribe before I left as a teenager. And no, I won’t divulge any more details about that.” She quickly adds with a raised palm, cutting me off. She knows me too damn well. 

“When do oracles, uhm, gifts…manifest? And what exactly are they?” I ask in a somewhat embarrassingly awkward manner. This is too damn weird. 

“It’s similar to a psychic if we use human terms, but unlike them, we are the real deal, and I don't talk or see the dead." She explains, rolling her eyes, and I couldn't help but giggle at that. 

“Anyway, simply put, I see glimpses of the past, present, and future, and I can sense when shit is about to hit the fan, to put it bluntly. However, visions can sometimes change as the future is constantly changing. As to the when, normally, similar in age to a Queen, mid-20s. I was the exception. Mine started after my system was cleared out from all the silver and wolfsbane.” She said with a bitter chuckle. 

I pursed my lips and looked away from her, taking a deep breath and blowing out loudly while rubbing my palms together.

Even though she was vague about it, I knew exactly what she meant—or, instead, the when. Her visions began after I had rescued her—more reasons to hate that man. 

I just hummed and nodded but didn’t say anything. What do you say to that ‘I’m sorry?’ 

“It's nice to know that Artemis hasn’t forsaken me despite no longer having my wolf. I guess she thinks I can be useful to my people. Why do you think I am still here?” She says, tone full of resentment. Her jaw is clenching so hard I think she may snap a tooth, trying to keep her temper under control. 

“Sofia, even without your gifts, you are still useful, so please don’t say that,” I say softly. 

She scoffs. “Please, we all know I am a burden. Once I am no longer needed, I will join my family. I have been here long enough.” She sighs in defeat. 

I stand from my chair and rush over to her, cupping her cheeks. “Oh, no, you won’t. Over my dead body! I did not risk my life to save you and spent years looking after you just for you to end it!” I said harshly in her face. 

“You said Cora is special? It’s true, she healed me. I no longer carry the scars on my body; my wolf is back, and I have never felt stronger. I believe she can heal you, too.” I said, my tone softening. I guide her hand to my waist, under my shirt, and she gasps. 

"She really is our Savior," Sofia whispers.

I saw hope shine in her dull eyes for the first time, and tears began to form. I used my thumbs to wipe the tears from her cheeks. 

After holding her for a few minutes, I checked my watch and saw that I only had 10 minutes. I told Sofia that, and she quickly shooed me off her chair while she promptly composed herself by wiping her face with a tissue and getting another cup of tea. She took a few sips and deep breaths before focusing on me. 

“Right. What else do you want to know?” 

Now that the shock had worn off some, and knowing that she wouldn’t answer any personal questions, I kept my questions vague and basic. Even then, I was left speechless again. She then said the time was up, and despite my protests, Sofia kicked me out, saying that was enough information for now. 

I was disappointed because I wanted to learn so much more. What she described seemed like something you read in history books or see in movies. It was fascinating. I really did feel like a child listening to a bedtime story. 

So different from what I grew up in…Heck, even who they worship is different from us. 

According to her, Artemis is not only the Goddess of the hunt and protector of the forest but also of the moon. Something Amazons took on as their role after banishing men from their tribes, becoming the ultimate hunters, protectors, and warriors themselves.  

In all honesty, this type of all-female pack sounds like heaven to me. 

It sounds idyllic. 

I wonder if that’s possible, and the male species can just rot in hell while we live in peace in the forest like the Amazons used to?

That was my thought as I walked out of the building, coming face to face with the two men parked outside, and I instantly got enraged, especially when one came way too fucking close to my personal space and began to fight against my aura. 

It wasn’t until he began asking about Freya that Sofia’s earlier words rang through my head. These two are good people, and looking at this one face's expression, I can tell he’s petrified and concerned about Freya. 

First, this Alpha Wyatt, and now this guy? Where the hell have these guys been hiding all this time? I feel bad, but I can do nothing to spare him. 

Once I confirm it is her, I see he's widening in horror and rage, and a whole different range of emotions take over in that split second before he lets out a vicious, angry growl and runs off behind me, shifting in mid-air into the woods. 

“Evan! Don’t do anything stupid!!” Alpha Wyatt yells after him.  

“Do you think he will?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer. I think he’s mind-linking someone. Probably that guy, Evan.

Alpha Wyatt suddenly blows out a breath, catching me off guard. “A lot of bad shit happened to him and his mate in the past, plus finding out he has another mate, and now you confirming that? He's fucking angry. I don’t blame him, but I also don’t want him to do anything in blind anger.” He answers, and I nod. 

“I’ve been told you're good people, so let’s get this thing over with as I have questions of my own for you, and I’m late for my shift,” I say as I turn. 

I hear the Alpha soon catch up to me as we head to the diner together.