Chapter 29
Mid-morning found Fionn and his mate following Jackson to his study for their meeting with Oracle.
He was about to find out his gift, something he didn’t want, but something he’d now have to learn to live with.
The best he could hope for was that the gift wouldn’t change his mate’s mind about loving him.
“Guys, why don’t you take the love seat? Oracle can sit there when she arrives,” Jackson said, pointing to a club chair across from it.
Hunter sat with his arm draped around Fionn’s shoulder; tension was seeping back into his mate’s body.
Surrounding him with his Alpha power in an attempt to soothe him, Hunter tried to get him back into the relaxed frame of mind he was in after their morning shower, but he had to admit their escapades in the shower probably had more to do with relaxing him than anything else.
Nevertheless, his goal for today was to keep Fionn from getting uptight about his gift.
After they’d dressed, Hunter had intertwined his fingers with his mate’s, leading him down to the great room where Fionn was rushed by Theo, Norm, Kieran and Quin who surrounded him, separating Hunter from his mate.
He was unruffled about their close encounters as he watched Fionn’s joy-filled face thank them for last night’s dinner and concert.
Reclaiming Fionn when it was time for breakfast, he introduced him to the brothers he hadn’t yet met before both of them sat down.
Mealtime was filled with joking, teasing and laughing, most of it aimed at the newly-mated couple, but Fionn took it all in stride, even teasing Sawyer about Hunter getting blamed for Sawyer’s misdeeds when they were young—and that led to an impromptu contest between Hunter and Steel.
In the end, Hunter conceded—agreeing the blame Steel had to take for Slate’s shenanigans far exceeded what he’d experienced with Sawyer.
But best of all, at the end of the meal, Robin gave Fionn a complete set of his CD’s along with an autographed manuscript of his song I Will Love You, promising to record it just for him.
But now, sitting in Jackson’s study, the thing his mate dreaded most was upon them and Hunter, anxious to give Fionn as much support as he could, leaned down and, whispered into his ear, “It doesn’t matter to me what Oracle tells you…I will always love you. Remember that today, okay?”
Fionn’s eyes flashed up, staring at his mate, finding the reassurance he desperately needed. “I love you, too,” Fionn answered, leaning into the side of Hunter’s chest.
Jackson was pleased by the affection he saw growing between his cousin and Fionn. He first noticed it at breakfast and now, here. When Oracle entered his study a few moments later, he stood to greet her before sitting again at his desk.
“Good morning,” Oracle said, sitting down, facing the newly mated couple. “Hello Fionn and Hunter. Congratulations to both of you. The Fates and gods send you their wishes for your continued happiness.”
“Hi Oracle,” Fionn said, shyly.
“Hi, you’re the first Oracle I ever met,” Hunter said. “I’m honored.”
Smiling at Hunter, Oracle said, “And I am very honored to meet the one the Fates and gods deemed a worthy mate for their white dragon.”
Hunter’s cheeks reddened at Oracle’s praise. “I sure don’t know what I did to deserve that, but I’m glad I did it, because I consider myself the luckiest shifter in the world. Fionn may be their white dragon but he’s my perfect mate.”
“Hunter is perfect for me too,” Fionn said, smiling at his mate.
“Yes, indeed, the Fates did a fine job,” Oracle agreed. “Now, before I talk to Fionn and you, Hunter, I must ask if either of you objects to Jackson being present during our meeting.”
Looking at his mate, Hunter said, “It’s up to you, pet.”
“I don’t mind,” Fionn replied.
“Go ahead, Oracle,” Hunter said.
“Good. I will begin with you first, Hunter,” she said.
“Me? Why do I have anything to do with my mate receiving his gift?” asked Hunter.
“Because,” Oracle smiled, “the Fates have also given you a gift.”
Stunned, Hunter looked at Jackson. “Did you know about this?”
“No, but I’m not surprised. Remember, Fionn’s a white dragon. A very rare white dragon.”
“Mate? Is there a problem with you getting a gift from the Fates?” asked Fionn, now becoming somewhat concerned about it.
“No, not at all, my pet. I’m just a little shocked, but Jackson’s right. If the Fates have given me something to help me protect you, then I’m happy to have it,” Hunter replied, kissing his mate’s forehead.
“Before I discuss your gift,” Oracle said, “let me tell you why the Fates picked you, Hunter, to be Fionn’s mate.
In a nutshell, your heart is pure and you have not been tempted by greed, power, or any other evil.
You resist everything that is bad in the world.
From an early age, you always put others first even if it meant giving up something you desperately wanted.
During your childhood, there were many instances when you put the welfare of others above your own, especially when it pertained to Quin… ”
“You don’t have to go further,” Hunter interrupted, not wanting Oracle to reveal any details about his brother, “I understand.”
“Well…yes. But when you refused the Alpha position in the Rolling Hills Pack just to keep your brother safe…the position you trained for…that you wanted more than anything else in the world…that’s when the gods gave final approval to the Fates regarding your selection as Fionn’s mate.”
“The gods? I thought the Fates picked mates,” Hunter said.
“Normally, they do, but in this case, because Fionn is protected by a goddess, his mate had to be approved by the gods,” Oracle explained.
“Wow!” Fionn exclaimed, gazing at his mate. “I never knew any of this.”
“Me neither,” Jackson said. “Oracle, why is it important that Fionn’s mate be pure of heart?”
“Many times a white dragon’s mate faces choices, and the gods, determined to protect this white dragon at all costs, needed to make sure his mate would choose wisely. As you know, neither the gods nor the Fates can directly interfere with events on earth,” replied Oracle.
“I passed their test?” asked Hunter.
“Yes, with flying colors,” Oracle said, smiling.
“Throughout your life, there will be constant temptations crossing your path…evil trying to take over your heart…greed trying to find a foothold…power seeking to tempt you…all those and more, constantly looking for a way to hijack the powers of a white dragon. Only someone pure of heart…a heart that doesn’t seek, want, or need anything other than love…
will be able to resist the assaults.” Oracle paused to give her words a chance to sink in before continuing.
“Remember this: the choices you make are yours alone, but your pure heart gives you a huge advantage…to always choose the right one.”
“I will always put Fionn first and protect him no matter what temptations lie before me,” Hunter said.
“Of that, I have no doubt,” Oracle said, smiling.
Fionn, who’d been quietly taking this all in, then asked, “Is the gift Hunter’s getting the wings my dragon gave his wolf when I claimed him?”
Jackson suddenly perked up. “Your wolf has wings?”
“It would appear so,” replied Hunter.
“That’s sooo freaking cool!” Jackson said. “Have you tried using them yet?”
“Nope, my mate has promised to teach my wolf how to fly,” Hunter responded.
“Maybe this afternoon,” suggested Fionn.
Oracle who’d been listening with amusement, said, “In answer to Fionn’s question, the wings were a gift from the Goddess of the Moon.”
“Then what’s my mate’s gift from the Fates?” asked Fionn.
“Hunter,” said Oracle, “you are receiving the power of the Archangel Michael.”
“Hunter’s a White Knight?” exclaimed Jackson.
“What’s a White Knight?” asked Hunter, throwing his cousin a quizzical look.
“That’s what Archangel Michael is…a defender and protector of all that is good…and in this case, I’m assuming it’s Fionn,” Jackson explained.
“Is that right, Oracle?” asked Fionn. “I never have to worry about anyone trying to hurt me again?”
“As a White Knight, your mate has the ability to call on a number of powers depending on what is needed at any time. No one will be able to approach you or touch you without Hunter’s permission as long as he is by your side.”
“Is that why I have this need to be with my mate all the time?” asked Hunter. “Not that I mind, but I’ve been wondering about it.”
“Yes,” affirmed Oracle. “You received your gift when you claimed Fionn,”
“Wait, if that’s true,” said Hunter, “then how come my brothers, Ian, his friends, hell, even you, Oracle, are able to be close to Fionn…even touch him, after I claimed him.”
“Simple, your wolf does not perceive them as threats to Fionn,” Oracle replied. “Until your wolf tells you otherwise, you have nothing to be alarmed at.”
“What do you mean, ‘until his wolf tells him’?” asked Jackson.
“Hunter has the rare ability to have conversations with his wolf,” Oracle said. “So whenever his wolf senses Fionn is in danger, he will tell Hunter about it so action can immediately be taken to remove the threat.”
“You actually talk to your wolf?” Jackson asked Hunter.
“I do. Not often, and sometimes my wolf will start the conversation, but my mother told me I should always listen,” Hunter said.
“She was right,” Oracle agreed. “Your wolf is the first line of defense against all who wish to harm Fionn or his white dragon. This allows you to live without the constant feeling of having to be on guard at all times.”
“Oracle, you said I can call on a number of powers as needed. What powers?” asked Hunter.