✓ | ORACLE, garrett

05 ── soul

CHAPTER FIVE
(soul)

Catherina stood frozen in place, her foot firmly planted on the ground, her mind racing to process the sight before her. She had just witnessed her son, Thornton, whom she had spent countless decades and centuries with, transform into a large, majestic white wolf before her eyes.

A soft and plaintive whimper escaped Thornton's muzzle, further adding to the surreal situation unfolding.

The revelation came as a total surprise to both Catherina and Thornton. There had been no hints or indications throughout the centuries they had spent together that Thornton might have shapeshifter ancestry. Perhaps that lack of information could be attributed to the fact that they rarely encountered vampires during their lifetimes, typically only crossing paths with them in passing.

And yet, the most crucial issue remained: Catherina was utterly unaware of the identity of Thornton's father.

Catherina's memories from her human life, spanning back to the late 1600s, held certain distinct moments—like the memories of her brother and Thornton's birth. However, her recollections of other events from that time were distant and mostly buried within her subconscious.

She had vague, hazy memories of her past life, where much of it remained shrouded in a distant fog, only occasionally drifting into her waking consciousness, as if they were reluctant to fully awaken from their slumber.

Catherina whispered her son's name softly, "Thorn." As she attempted to take slow, careful steps towards him, Jacob swiftly reached out and grabbed her arm, preventing her from moving forward.

Jacob spoke firmly, "He's still processing." However, Catherina firmly withdrew her arm from his grip, shaking her head in determination.

"He is my son," Catherina asserted firmly, her eyes flashing with a resolute warning as she firmly disregarded Jacob's words. She let out a determined huff before turning her attention back to her son and walking towards him. At first, Thorn instinctively stepped back, reacting with caution. But then, the connection between their souls kicked in, and he gradually regained his senses, recognizing her as his mother.

Catherina knelt down before Thorn, and for a brief moment, he remained still, observing her actions. But as soon as she extended her hand towards him, he responded by gently pushing his nuzzle into her palm, clearly pleased. Then, he felt the warmth of his mother's embrace as her arms encircled his neck.

Jacob stood watching the touching scene unfold before him, a tight feeling in his chest as various thoughts clouded his mind. Initially, a dash of grief swept over him, bringing feelings of profound sadness as he missed his own mother. Yet, despite having only faint memories of her, the sense of emptiness still lingered within him.

Catherina spoke up, standing and facing the three males, specifically addressing Jacob. "I apologize, but Paul is currently asleep in the back of my car," she explained.

Jacob's face reflected his confusion as he responded, "I'm sorry...what did you say?"

Catherina lifted her finger, scratching her cheek nervously, before replying, "It's kind of a long story..."

The two immortal brothers both burst into laughter, with the burly male's laugh ringing out with greater volume, while the slender one's laughter had a softer tone. Jacob quickly shot his head towards them, his gaze holding a mix of irritation and suppressed amusement. Despite his initial frustration, he couldn't help but feel a smile tugging at his lips as he thought about Paul's predicament in the car.

With Paul being asleep, Catherina's focus was largely shifted towards her son sitting patiently next to her. Through their telepathic connection, she heard her son's amused snigger and responded by affectionately flicking his ear in playful reproach for his cheeky behavior.

Catherina knelt down, bringing her eyes level with her son's large form. She asked with a playful tone, "Now, are you going to remain in this shape, or are you going to change back?"

Thorn nuzzled his nose against her cheek, leaving it damp, causing her to react by flicking it gently. In response, he sneezed, but Catherina swiftly moved out of the way, narrowly avoiding being caught in the spray of his snot.

"Thornton!" Catherina whined in an exaggerated tone of playful disgust. She then stuck her tongue out at him, making a comical face.

The three males watching them shared looks, each taken aback by the sudden change in Catherina's demeanor. Her previous maturity had been replaced by a playful and carefree attitude. Despite the unexpected transformation, it brought a sense of calmness, contrasting the initial tension they had felt around Renesmee.

Catherina stepped away from her son as he headed towards the car. She then turned back towards the three males, her focus shifting to them once more. Extending her hand once again, she addressed the two pale brothers, "I believe I mentioned this earlier, but I am Catherina. Could you tell me your names?"

Emmett, the larger of the males, eagerly shook Catherina's hand first and then attempted to engage her in a playful bout of grappling. However, he soon found that his hand was firmly held in her grasp.

"I wouldn't," Catherina warned, sporting a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I possess a shape-shifting son, and even though I may appear exhausted, I can assure you that I can still pack a punch."

Emmett chuckled and released Catherina's hand as he spoke, "Ah, that's right, forgot you had that nifty telepathy thing." He then gestured towards his brother, Edward, who stepped forward and shook Catherina's hand next.

Edward offered a gentle smile as he shook her hand and expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you for coming to help."

Catherina inquired, addressing all of them at once, "By the way, what's your relationship to the child?"

Jacob and Emmett both responded in unison, "Uncle/friend." However, Catherina noticed that Jacob's response seemed somewhat strained. Rather than delving deeper into their personal matters, she chose not to ask further questions, deciding it wasn't her place to pry into their affairs.

Catherina turned to Edward, raising her eyebrows inquisitively. He responded with a measured tone, stating, "Biological father." He braced himself for the expected barrage of questions.

Instead, however, Catherina merely nodded thoughtfully, expressing her determination to be of help. "Well," she declared firmly, "Thorn and I will do our utmost to assist. Of all people, it had to be the Volturi, didn't it?

Edward inquired, "You know of them?"

Catherina answered, "I've been an immortal for a very long time; I suppose it's only natural that I have knowledge of them. Although it poses a risk, I feel compelled to act."

Her features became grim as she continued, "I'm unsure if they're aware of my son and me, but your child deserves a long life. It's unjust how they're playing the role of divine arbiters."

Thorn approached his mother, zipping up his hoodie as he took the opportunity to properly introduce himself to the guys.

Catherina, meanwhile, directed her gaze towards the home, sensing that a pair of eyes was fixed intently upon her. She began to search for the source of the stare, and her eyes darted around until she noticed a pair of ruby eyes searing into her very being.

Catherina locked eyes with the male, and an unfamiliar yet profound resonance echoed through her being as her soul seemed to respond in kind to a harmonious vibration. Her chest tightened as she observed the male staring back at her, sensing that he, too, was experiencing the same inexplicable harmonics.

A simultaneous sigh escaped the lips of both individuals, and the nameless male donned a smirk on his lips as realization dawned upon him. In response, Catherina pursed her lips in a pout, visibly unimpressed by his cocky demeanor. She defiantly turned her head away from him, huffing with an air of arrogant defiance.