Silver Claws

33. Know the exceptions

The sun sits nearly in the middle of the clear sky, too bright. Astringent. The heat burns my scalp. In one hour, my best friends may kill each other.

That's the worst case scenario. Even the best case scenario was no dice. I didn't see how this could end well. The two of them may settle their differences with each other, but the impact on their families would last years. The positions of the next generation would be defined by this one fight, just as it had a millennium before. I didn't know of any time where two Betas switched places.

The arena was clean enough, only a couple of water bottles scattered the ground that I was able to swoop up quickly. I only walked out to have an excuse to be alone for a moment. If it bothered Akela then she didn't show it, if anything she was excited. My best friends could accidentally kill each other and she was excited. She was always too ready for a fight.

Maybe I wasn't being fair, because I knew she was right. The two of them had to settle their differences or we'd never get any peace, this fight had been boiling for ages. The real problem was how it would effect everyone else. My Dad couldn't take much more without his own Nature feeling the need to declare itself. I was too big of a threat now, but the time wasn't right.

As soon as I throw away the bottles the hair stands up on my neck. I spin on my heel to see the Oracle behind me, creepy smile and stupid hippie robes. I let out a small sound of suprise (it was not a yelp), as I step back.

"Hello Solis." Her gravelly voice grated against my skin.

"Can I help you?" The right words, but they come out too sharply to be considered friendly. I don't even bother to correct my name this time.

She smiles wider, her face is so leathery that a thousand more wrinkles bloom. "I'd like a moment of your time."

She turns slowly and begins hobbling away, fully expecting that I will follow. I press my teeth together as I start to walk behind her, she drags herself along pretty fast for someone older than most sea turtles. Her walking stick smack the ground with every step like she's stabbing someone.

I know where we are going before we even get close, and it fills me with dark dread. There was never a good reason to go to the Oracle's house.

Not good.

It was a cottage on the outskirts of every pack location. It was further from the rest of the houses, shacklike, one giant room every time. She perfered it that way. Herbs hung in bundles from the windows and doors, symbols painted sloppily over the entrances. The entire building was held together by nails and willpower it was so old. It would have felt more homey if any of the plants around were actually living.

We walked in, and she sat heavily in a wooden rocking chair that creaked in protest at the weight. She still gripped her gnarled stick as I glanced around, there were no other seats besides a twin bed that I was not going to touch.

A woodstove in the corner, no pictures on the walls, more herbs hanging from the rafters, I noted each bit of this as I crossed my arms and waited for her to talk. I tried not to get freaked out by how many cobwebs hung from the beams and corners.

They are only there because she is old and can't clean it. It is not because she is a creepy witch lady. It is not because she is a creepy witch lady. It is not because she is a creepy witch lady-

"The time is upon us."

I blinked. She rolled her eyes and sighed like I was the one being inconvenient.

She continued, "It is time that you know where each path will take you. Very soon, much will be decided, and knowledge will affect your choices."

"What choices? Stop beating around the bush." I growled.