Chapter 56: What The Oracle Says 3
Adrian stares at the old woman as though he has misheard her. "An Enigma?"
"Yes," the Oracle repeats calmly.
The single word hangs heavy in the ritual room. Nyra’s eyes are blown wide, staring at Adrian with a mix of disbelief and awe.
Her mate is an Enigma...? What are the odds.
Adrian lets out a disbelieving laugh, shaking his head. "No." His answer is immediate. "That’s impossible."
The Oracle simply watches him, not seemingly surprised at all by his reaction.
"The royal family examines every child after birth," Adrian continues, his tone rising slightly. "Before we’re even old enough for the Awakening Rite, we’re tested by royal healers and our Oracle. Then we’re tested again after the Awakening Rite."
He gestures toward himself. "They all reached the same conclusion. That I am a dominant Alpha."
The Oracle doesn’t argue, just smiles like she knows something he doesn’t.
"No, dear. The things Julian told me about you two... I already suspected neither of you are normal wolves, and that’s why your bond abilities seem stronger than those of normal werewolves."
She folds her hands together. "You are an Enigma, my child."
Adrian is too stunned to speak. If this is true, it questions everything he thought he knew about himself. And honestly, Adrian doesn’t know if he’s ready for that.
Beside him, Nyra looks just as stunned. Her gaze drifts from Adrian to the old woman.
She had heard about Enigmas before, about how extremely rare they are. The Pack History teacher had taught them about Enigmas so many times.
Long before the modern packs existed, wolves were never divided into Alphas, Betas, and Omegas alone. There existed a fourth lineage: a forgotten bloodline blessed directly by the Moon Goddess herself called Enigmas.
But because of their greed and thirst, they began to use their gifts for the wrong things. So the Goddess created a hierarchy system, limiting the highest form to Alphas.
Very rarely do wolves possess the instincts of an Enigma--a strength that grows beyond natural limits, overwhelming leadership instincts, and a connection to the Moon that ordinary wolves cannot comprehend.
But the Goddess only gives that gift to one wolf in every generation, and some generations don’t even produce one. They are so rare, in fact, that most kingdoms now believe they are nothing more than myths.
That means Adrian is the only Enigma in his bloodline. But why him? Why Adrian of all the other wolves?
Nyra exhales softly, stunned eyes pinned to Adrian as he stands.
"That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. My eyes are red." He points at them impatiently. "Every Alpha’s eyes turn red. My pheromones are Alpha pheromones."
"They are," the Oracle agrees.
His brows knit together. "Then how can I not be one?"
"Because Enigmas are never meant to be obvious. If they all carried visible traits different from ordinary Alphas, they would’ve been hunted long ago."
Her fingers lightly tap the ancient stone. "So the Moon Goddess hid them. Outwardly, they appear completely ordinary."
She studies him for another long moment before asking, "Tell me... do you have a birthmark? A tattoo-like marking around your waist, behind your ear, or somewhere else hidden on your body?"
Adrian frowns. "...Maybe."
Nyra’s eyes widen where she’s still seated with a chilling realization. She remembers the first time she saw Adrian shirtless; there was a birthmark near his waist.
"I’ve seen one," she blurts out without thinking. Both of them turn toward her.
Adrian blinks. "What?"
"The first time..." Her cheeks flush slightly at the memory. "When you were shirtless... I remember seeing a small black mark near your waist."
His expression changes. "Oh."
He had never paid much attention to it, always assuming it was an ordinary birthmark.
The Oracle nods knowingly. "I thought as much."
Then she walks over to Nyra, but her eyes are still pinned directly on Adrian. "When you go back home, ask your parents."
She lets those words sink in before adding quietly, "Because if you truly bear the mark of an Enigma... then there is no possible way your parents didn’t already know."
Adrian’s thoughts start to race faster than he can process them. If his parents really knew, then why would they keep something this important from him?
His jaw tightens, still refusing to believe. "They would’ve told me."
The old Oracle sighs. "Would they? Maybe they kept the truth out of fear. An Enigma’s existence has always attracted greed, packs have fought wars over less."
Adrian’s expression darkens. "If what you’re saying is true..." he murmurs, "then everything I’ve ever believed about myself is a lie."
"This is a blessing," the Oracle corrects, then turns fully to Nyra.
"Now..." The old woman gently stretches the stone tablet toward her. "...Place your hand on it."
Nyra obeys, while Adrian watches her without blinking, expecting the same warmth he’d experienced moments ago.
Nothing happens. No light, no warmth.
After several long seconds, the Oracle lets out a quiet sigh. "Nothing has changed."
Nyra slowly opens her eyes. "About what you said last time?"
The Oracle nods. "Yes, my dear." She carefully takes the stone back, running wrinkled fingers over its ancient surface. "The Moon Goddess, for some reason, is still refusing to reveal your true gift."
Nyra sighs. It’s the same thing the Oracle said before. Her wolf is sleeping; it’s most likely something powerful.
But what if she doesn’t want that?
What if she just wants to be a normal wolf like anyone else?
The Oracle must notice because she offers her a sympathetic look. "I wish I could tell you myself, but unfortunately the Goddess herself has hidden it from me."
"However," she continues, looking at the stone sternly, "...after witnessing the strength of your bond, hearing how you shared pain, emotions, and even physical strength before your mating... I can say this with certainty."
She fixes Nyra with an unwavering gaze. "I do not believe you are an ordinary werewolf, especially because your mate is an Enigma."
Adrian still frowns at the word, but he doesn’t try to argue this time.
"And our bond?" Nyra asks quietly.
"Definitely not ordinary, and I believe you’ll still see much more baffling things in the future. But..."
The Oracle raises a warning finger. "Do not repeat any of this outside these walls. Not to your parents. Not to friends. Not even to those you trust with your lives."