White Knight (Blackwood Pack Book 8)

by Mary Rundle

  “Thanks, I appreciate the offer,” Hunter replied.

  “Do you have any questions for me right now?” Oracle asked. “I know this is a lot to take in all at once so you can always speak to me later if you want to think about it first.”

  “Thanks, but I do have one for you right now,” said Hunter. “How does it happen…you know…how do I use my White Knight’s power? It won’t help any if Fionn’s in danger and I don’t know how to access it.”

  “Good point,” agreed Oracle. “It is quite simple. Once your wolf has identified the threat, simply say ‘white knight’ and you will shift immediately. Whatever power you need to counteract the danger will immediately be at your disposal.”

  “That seems easy enough, but how will I know what power to use?” asked Hunter.

  “When you become an angel, you will instinctively know the best way to handle Fionn’s threat. That is the power of the Archangel Michael.”

  “But what’s to prevent me from using his power for something evil?” asked Hunter.

  “It is not possible. Archangel Michael is known for his righteousness and justice. When your angel emerges, you will be bound by those principles… and that is why you can only use your gift for defensive purposes,” Oracle explained.

  “Good…not that I would want to use it for any purpose other than protecting Fionn, but I’m relieved to know it’s just not a possibility,” Hunter said.

  “Neither the Fates nor the gods would place such a burden on you, Hunter. The gift is meant to help you protect Fionn and his white dragon. It is certainly not a test of who you are,” Oracle said.

  “I didn’t think that,” Hunter replied, “I was worried someone might try to make me use it for evil purposes.”

  “Ahh, I understand,” Oracle said. “No, that is quite impossible. Have no worries about that.”

  “I have a question,” Jackson said. “You said Hunter’s White Knight can only use his powers for defensive purposes. But if Fionn’s or his white dragon’s defense requires it, can Hunter’s White Knight kill?”

  “Good point, cousin,” Hunter said. “Oracle, will I be able to…if needed?”

  “Yes. What ‘defensive’ means is that Hunter will not be able to access his power for any reason other than to protect Fionn or his white dragon. Under those circumstances, you will be able to kill, if it is required.”

  Hunter slipped deep into thought about the enormity of the White Knight’s power that had been given to him as a gift.

  Sensing Hunter’s uneasiness, Oracle quietly said, “Hunter, this is the most powerful gift that can be bestowed and is rarely given. But Fionn needs the greatest degree of protection the gods can provide and that is why the Fates searched for the right mate…one who could be trusted to use this gift to protect and defend their precious white dragon.”

  Chapter 30

  “Hey Mate, you’re as rare as I am,” Fionn said, looking at Hunter.

  “Not quite, pet…right Oracle?”

  “That is correct,” Oracle replied. “Fionn, what do you know about your mother’s family?”

  “Not much…I never met any of them…at least as far as I can remember. I know she has a sister and brother who wanted custody of me,” Fionn said, “but obviously they didn’t succeed.”

  “Pet, were they in the courtroom during the hearing?” asked Hunter.

  “Nope, only my father’s brother showed up.”

  “Your mother was an only child,” said Oracle. “The sister and brother who claimed to be related to your mother are actually your grandfather’s step-children from a previous marriage.”

  “You mean they’re not related to me by blood?” asked Fionn.

  “Not even a drop,” Oracle said, smiling. “Way before your mother was born, your grandfather married a widow with two children but never adopted them because he expected his new wife to bear a male child who would carry on his line. Unfortunately, it was not to be, because she died. Vexed at his bad luck, he sought another woman, hoping she would give him a male heir. While visiting relatives, he met your grandmother, and married her. Unfortunately, they only had one child together…a girl.”

  “My mother,” Fionn said.

  “Yes,” Oracle said. “She was still a young girl when, your father, on a trip abroad, met your grandfather and as part of a business deal, agreed to purchase the young girl who would become your mother.”

  “Why did he pick her?” asked Fionn.

  “Your father found out she came from the oldest, most respected dragon clan so he made a generous offer which was accepted. When your mother came of age, your father returned to claim her and took control of her hoard. Once back in Scotland, Artur MacDùghlas set upon getting the heir he always wanted,” Oracle said.

  “But all the babies died,” Fionn murmured.

  “Yes, except you,” Oracle said.

  “Why was Fionn’s mother sold when she was so young?” asked Hunter.

  “She was the last child her mother could have,” Oracle explained, “and her husband was angered that she had not produced a male heir. So he sold the child to punish her.”

  Jackson then asked. “You mentioned Fionn’s mother came from the oldest dragon clan. Other than bragging rights, is there any other significance to that?”

  “Yes, there is. A white dragon must be a descendant of that clan.”

  Hearing that, Fionn’s eyes widened so much he was sure they were going to fall out of their sockets. “No way! It can’t be…my mother never said anything.”

  “Your mother was protecting you; most dragons don’t know about this because it has been so long since the last white dragon was born. But it is true, Fionn, the only white dragons that were born throughout time all came from your mother’s clan.”

  “Why only from that clan?” asked Hunter.

  “In the beginning, when gods were creating beings for earth, the Goddess of the Moon wanted a creature to represent her there, one who would remind all who saw it of the moon and its power, so she created a white dragon. When other gods saw it, they also decided to create dragons…seven in total… but none could make a white one. That color was reserved for the goddess of the moon.

  “From those seven, the white dragon picked its mate, forming the first dragon clan on earth. When this happened, the goddess of the moon gave great powers to her dragon…powers that the white dragon shared with the other dragons but not equally…keeping more for himself. So any dragon born to the white dragon’s clan is more formidable than dragons of other clans.”

  “Why are white dragons so rare?” asked Hunter.

  “After the first white dragon died, several thousands of years passed before the goddess sent another one,” Oracle replied.

  “Why? What happened?” asked Fionn, enthralled with Oracle’s story.

  “No one knows…maybe because something else held her attention, or maybe because the seven dragon clans were enjoying peace and prosperity…gods never explain their actions,” Oracle said.

  “But then, after years of peaceful co-existence, trouble began brewing among the clans over how much territory each had. Because the white dragon clan had the most, others became jealous. When an acceptable solution could not be reached, the clans became divided, sides were taken and war broke out. When death and destruction finally reached proportions the gods could no longer ignore, the goddess of the moon created another white dragon to end the conflict.”

  “Was the second white dragon different from the first one?” asked Jackson.

  “Yes…the goddess of the moon gave the second one a dangerous supernatural power, allowing him to end the war,” Oracle explained. “From that point on, a white dragon, also known as a lunar dragon, represented danger, death and rebirth.”

  “If that’s true,” asked Hunter, “what’s the danger Fionn’s facing?”

  “None. The danger is within the dragon world,” Oracle said.

  “Are you saying Fionn was sent by the goddess of the moon to save
all dragons?” asked Hunter. “And from what?”

  “I will answer your question shortly, but first, there is more to tell. The gods took note of how well the white dragon stopped the war and restored peace, so when the next dragon conflict occurred on earth, they begged the goddess of the moon for another to help them. She agreed, and from then on a white dragon was born every 500 years; its mission was to insure peace among dragons.

  “So what happened to change that?” Hunter asked, puzzled. “Why did two thousand years go by between the last white dragon and Fionn?”

  “The last one was killed,” Fionn said.

  “By who?” asked Hunter.

  “Other dragons killed him,” said Jackson.

  “How?” asked Hunter. “He had a supernatural power, right?”

  “He had yet to receive them and I will explain that later,” Oracle said. “But you should know that, for hundreds of years, the hostility between dragon clans had diminished, so few dragons ever had cause to meet a white one. Over time, the dragon world forgot the reason for their existence until finally, white dragons became the stuff of legends and myths. Each story was more frightening than the last—one even claiming that a white dragon would enslave the dragon world.

  “When the last white dragon was born two thousand years ago, his parents kept the knowledge of his birth a secret, fearful someone would believe the myths and try to harm their child. But by the time he became an adult, their worries had faded and so, when their son, Draco, announced his desire to travel around the world, his parents gave their blessings.

  “The young man was overjoyed, but before he left, they warned him not to reveal his white dragon to others. Assuring them he would not, he set upon his travels, enjoying adventures in new lands and cultures and becoming acquainted with many different species of paranormals. Raised in a home filled with love, Draco had only love to give to those he met—and it was that love that caused his demise.

  “Flying over some mountains at night, he saw a young boy caught in a bear trap. Landing, he shifted and, after freeing the boy’s leg, he became alarmed at the amount of blood he was losing. Knowing he had to get the injured lad to someone who could help him, he shifted back into his white dragon and flew the boy to an isolated mountain village nearby.”

  “So that’s how the other dragons found out about him,” Fionn said.

  Oracle nodded. “Yes. Realizing his mistake, Draco left quickly, hoping the isolation of the village would keep his identity from spreading.”

  “But it didn’t,” said Fionn. “Ki told me the white dragon was killed by other dragons.”

  “Unfortunately, yes. Some traders arrived a few days later and villagers told them what happened. Then it was only a matter of time before word reached the dragon world. Fearful that the myths were true, some dragons hatched a plan to kill Draco.”

  “According to what I’ve heard, they succeeded,” Jackson said.

  “How come?” asked Hunter. “What about his supernatural powers?”

  “A white dragon only gets his power when he claims his mate. That had not happened yet,” Oracle said, with sadness in her voice. “The goddess of the moon was so upset, she swore she would never create another white dragon. She blamed herself for not adequately protecting him. Even though the Fates insisted it was not her fault, the goddess was heartbroken. She came down to earth and, cradling the broken body of her beloved white dragon, ascended into the night sky, vowing he would have eternal life.”

  “And did he?” asked Fionn.

  “Yes,” replied Oracle. “Even today, Draco, her white dragon lives on in the sky, a brilliant star-studded constellation that revolves around the North Pole and is always visible in our hemisphere.”

  The room fell silent. Thinking about the white dragon, Fionn knew he had to see his ancestor, so he turned to Hunter. “Mate, can we visit him?”

  “Sure,” Hunter said softly, intuitively knowing why his mate wanted to go. “Maybe after the court hearing.”

  Nodding, Fionn thanked the Fates for giving him a mate who could understand his feelings so well.

  “Oracle,” said Jackson, “what changed the goddess of the moon’s mind? Why now, after two thousand years, has another white dragon appeared?”

  “Evil has gained a foothold in the dragon world,” Oracle said. “At first, the gods didn’t see it or if they did, ignored it, thinking it would only affect a few weak souls. But it soon became an epidemic; evil, under the guise of greed, began digging its tendrils into many souls, strong souls, turning them black. And the infection was spreading so rapidly, the gods were distraught and turned to the goddess for help. But she refused, unwilling to risk the life of another of her white dragons.

  “Finally, a friend of hers urged her to see for herself what was happening to the dragons. So the goddess rode a moonbeam to earth one night and what she found was horrifying. The next day, she met with the gods and agreed to send another white dragon—but only under certain conditions.”

  “I’m guessing my Alpha power was one of them,” Jackson said, at last understanding his place in the scheme of things.

  “Yes, it was. The goddess insisted the white dragon have a protector who had the power to control other paranormals,” Oracle replied.

  “What else?” asked Fionn, now listening intently.

  “Before the white dragon can fight evil, he must be given a Fated Mate…one who is worthy of the most powerful gift the gods can give,” said Oracle.

  “And that would be me,” Hunter said.

  “Yes, it is,” Oracle said, smiling.

  “Anything else?” asked Jackson.

  “Yes, his mother insisted Fionn be given time to love, to enjoy life, to fulfill his dreams before he takes up the battle.”

  “My mother? When did she do this?” asked Fionn.

  “Before the goddess made her decision to send another white dragon, she searched for the right parents who would give the child unconditional love…”

  “Uhmm, I’m sorry,” Fionn snorted, “but she fucked up big time. My father never loved me, much less unconditionally, and…”

  Raising her hand to stop Fionn from going further, Oracle continued, “…and the only person she found worthy was your mother. Concerned about the evil that was invading your father’s soul, the goddess was torn, but after another search failed to provide suitable candidates, she decided to visit your mother on earth and talk to her, hoping to find that she, at least, was capable of giving you unconditional love, even if evil overcame your father.”

  “My mother always loved me, no matter what trouble I got into, she always loved me,” Fionn whispered.

  “Yes she did…and after their meeting, the goddess was satisfied,” Oracle said.

  “But why did she have to die, then?” asked Fionn, his voice choking up.

  “As harsh as it sounds Fionn, it had to happen so you could find your way here, to Jackson and Hunter, your two protectors who the goddess of the moon swore to your mother you would have,” Oracle said. “I’m so sorry about everything you went through, but you should know that after the goddess watched you struggle with the aftermath of your mother’s death, she decided you deserved a second gift.”

  “What is it?” asked Fionn, wiping away the wetness from his eyes.

  “Remember what your mother told you before she died?” asked Oracle.

  Nodding, Fionn said, “She said I would be able to speak with her and she taught me how to summon her spirit. But I could do it only five times.”

  “The goddess has changed that to…as many times as you wish.”

  “Really? You mean…like there’s no limit anymore?” asked Fionn, raising his eyebrows in disbelief.

  Smiling, Oracle said, “Yes, just like that.”

  “Wow!” Fionn leaned back against Hunter’s chest. Other than his mate, it was the best gift he ever received. Thinking about what it meant, he suddenly said, “Mate, I want you to meet my mother.”

  “I’d be ho
nored, my pet,” Hunter replied, brushing his lips against his mate’s temple.

  “Oracle,” said Jackson, “we’re all kind of on edge here, now. What is Fionn’s power?”

  Sitting up quickly, Fionn held up his hand, before asking Oracle, “Wait, before you tell me, do you know anything about the gift I gave my mate?”

  “You mean the wings?” interjected Jackson.

  “No, the wolf statue…it was in my mother’s hoard but I don’t know where it came from. Do you know where my mother got it from?” asked Fionn.

  “I do…it was given as a pledge to your mother from the goddess of the moon,” replied Oracle. “She placed it in your mother’s hoard, unbeknown to your father.”

  “What kind of pledge?” asked Hunter, now more curious than ever.

  “The only other thing your mother insisted on was that your Fated Mate not be a dragon,” Oracle said. “She did not believe any dragon could resist the lure of profiting from a white dragon.”

  “Huh…so my mother knew my mate would be a wolf?”

  “Yes, since wolves are also creatures of the moon,” Oracle said. “The bond between them and the goddess goes back almost as far as the bond she has with the white dragons. The linking of two of her moon children gave the goddess the assurance she sought for the protection of her precious white dragon.”

  “Hear that, mate? I’m precious.” Fionn smirked.

  “You definitely are, my pet. Ready to find out your gift?”

  “Yeah, go ahead, Oracle,” Fionn said, more confident now than he’d been before. “What did the goddess of the moon give me? Wait…I just want to make sure Jackson can prevent me from using it, right?”

  “That is correct,” said Oracle. “Until he gives permission, you will not be able to access your power,”

  “And even when he does, I can’t use it against anyone in the Blackwood Pack, right?”

  “Correct again Fionn. Your mother wanted you to have a place where you could be free to be yourself, without any worries of unintended use that could hurt someone. The Blackwood Pack is that place,” Oracle replied.