UNEDITED

Erin's POV:

I wake early the next morning having barely slept during the night. My eyes fall on my pest of a companion to see him staring at the embers of the fire, a strange look on his face. Fighting the part that wants to ask him what's wrong I instead ignore the urge and walk towards the treeline. Shuffling behind me lets me know Anthony was following. He had yet to say a word. My shoulders relax as I take in the new silence. Our light footsteps and the occasional rustle of a nearby animal are the only sounds to disturb the forest.

My beasts were watching. Listening.

They didn't seem to mind our companions presence. There didn't seem to be a sign of Anthony leaving anytime soon.

Birds stop chirping. The animals scurry for shelter. Our feet still as we take in the presence that had caused the disturbance. My eyes scan the treeline, as a tingly feeling creeps down my back.

We were being watched.

Anthony was scanning his surroundings too. His body stiff with tension. I pull my beasts forward, seeking comfort in their presence. A hooded figure steps out from behind a tree, seemingly out of nowhere. The figure, clearly a woman, is clothed in a large cloak that covers most of her face and arms. Her legs peak out from under the cloak as she steps closer. She almost appears to glide across the forest floor. She suddenly stops in front of us, slowly lifting her head. Her face still not visible. My breath catches as tattooed arms rise to the cloak hood, pulling it back to reveal a striking woman. Her bald head decorated in intricate tattoos that almost pulsate and move on her head. Narrowing my eyes and using my supernatural eyesight, I confirm her tattoos are indeed moving.

What is she? Who is she? A sorceress? A witch?

"No child. I have many names. I prefer the term, Oracle."

Did she just call me a child?

Her lilting laughter surrounds us. Anthony shuffles his feet beside me. It seems our companion is feeling impatient.

"Or aroused."

I snap my head towards Anthony who ducks his head, refusing to meet my eyes. If he was human he would be blushing. Rolling my eyes at the vampire I turn my attention back to the unknown woman. Her eyes slowly leave Anthony to meet mine.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Elvia."

"I'm Erin and this idiot is Anthony." I point to myself and then a very indignant Anthony.

"Anthony I've been waiting a long time for you." She almost purrs his name. For once he remains silent beside me. His eyes wide staring at her. My head bobs between the two, taking in the scene before me. Then it clicks. She was his Beloved.

"What do you want?" My question breaks her staring contest with Anthony who was clearly effected by her presence.

She shrugs almost human like. But she was anything but human.

"I want to help of course."

"Of course?"

Elvia laughs loudly startly some nearby birds perched in the trees. Her eyes which I have only noticed now are a stunning purple, fixate on me. A grin slowly forms on her face making her look youthful.

"You my dear, are destined for great things."

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We followed Elvia into the woods, where she said she had a cabin we could speak privately in. Anthony never took his eyes off of her. I held back letting the two walk beside each other. There was a hum in the air. An electric current vibrating between the two. My beasts liked her and could tolerate Anthony.

Elvia glances back at me, smiling before looking away.

"Can you hear my thoughts?"

She glances back this time already grinning. Taking her silence as confirmation, I feel a weird pit in my stomach. My beasts didn't like her invading our thoughts. When Elvia looks back this time, her smile is soft almost like when a mother smiles at a sulking child.

"I don't do it all the time so do not worry."

I nod curtly, a new feeling washing over me as I looked at our new acquaintance.

Cautious.

"Here we are." Elvia waves her hand gesturing to a small cabin hiding between the trees. If you looked carefully, you could see a haze surrounding her home.

Magic.

"A concealment spell, yes."

"Can you not?"

She has the decency to look embarrassed.

Stay out of my head. She nods.

"Sorry, I can't help it sometimes."

I ignore Anthony's burning glare into the side of head. Great, a pissy mate is all I need.

Walking up the steps to the cabin, we are soon wrapped in a heat that envelopes us as we step through the door. Looking around, I expect to see potions and bottles around the place but am slightly disappointed when a normal cosy cabin is all that awaits us.

Elvia opens her mouth to speak but decides against it, instead signalling us to follow her to another room.

We enter an office with strange patterns and designs on the walls. A library filled with books, probably magical, lines the side of the room. A desk sits near the window. Elvia walks towards the couches in the middle of the room surrounding a small coffee table and she gestures us to do the same. Anthony takes a seat beside Elvia, their legs almost touching. I don't realise I am staring until ELvia breaks the silence.

"Have you found your mate yet?" A graceful smile lights up her face. She's hard not to like. Her smile grows wider obviously hearing my thoughts.

I huff crossing my arms slumping back into the cushion.

She continues to stare at me waiting for an answer.

"No I haven't." I respond softly.

I feel Anthony's eyes on me too. Great.

"Tell us why we are here."

Elvia claps her hands bouncing in her seat with excitement. Anthony watches her with a look of reverence. Rolling my eyes I can't help feel jealous as I watch the new couple. Elvia stops and takes on a look of seriousness. Sitting up at the sudden change I give her my full attention.

"I told you in the woods I want to help. Now that I have met my mate, it's clear that this is part of by destined path."

She turns to Anthony. "I didn't know when I would meet you only that I would and that your name is Anthony. Throughout my life I see snippets of what could be but the future can change so I could never be sure." Her focus back on me she continues.

"I am an Oracle. I see glimpes of the future, like a form of divination. Recently, you have come into these snapshots. Always you. You, Erin are a very important part of what is to come."

I am almost too afraid to say it but I ask the dreaded question.

"What is to come?"

"A war. Vampires against Werewolves."

Gasping in shock I try to process what Elvia is telling me.

"How-How can I stop a war?"

"Prevent. You, Erin can stop the war before it even happens."

"How?"

My beasts were pushing to the surface. We wanted answers and she was not giving any. Anthony growls lowly in warning. I bare my teeth in retaliation . His growling stops but he watches me.

He sees us as a threat. So much for best friends.

Before I could be consumed in thoughts of being a monster I turn to Elvia when she leans forward to rest her hand gently on my knee. My eyes train on the offending limb. Risky move.

*"Maybe she saw that we wouldn't hurt her?" My wolf always the voice of reason.

*"Like she said the future can change." My vampire hisses her intent to maim the woman in front of us.

"Give me answers now." Elvia gulps clearly seeing the colour of my eyes, indicating my wolf and vamp were fighting with one another.

"I can help you Erin. With your beasts." Baring my teeth in warning, she holds up her hands in defence.

"I can help you to become one with your wolf and vampire. You will no longer have to feel like a monster. You won't feel as hostile but in control. You need this. If you leave your beasts fight for control you could seriously hurt someone."

I already have I whisper in my head. My fight slowly dwindling.

She nods her head and gazes at me with compassion.

"Let me help you gain control. You can harness your power for good."

I didn't even have to think about it. I didn't want to feel like a monster anymore.

"Yes. Help me."

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