Page 9 of Wolf Mate's Forbidden Fire
I pushed him back, my eyes locked on his, my breath uneven. “Not fair,” I said, my voice shaky but playful, my hands working the button of his jeans, tugging the zipper down with a slow, deliberate pull. “You’re overdressed.” He grinned, his eyes dark and hungry, and helped me shove his jeans down, stepping outof them as I kicked off my own, our clothes pooling on the floor. His hands gripped my hips, lifting me onto the edge of the table, papers crinkling beneath me, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him close. His skin was hot against mine, the firelight casting shadows across his scars, and I kissed him again, fierce and needy, my hands gripping his shoulders, nails digging in just enough to make him hiss.
He pressed closer, his hands sliding up my thighs, fingers teasing the edge of my underwear, his touch sending sparks through me. “You sure about this?” he whispered, his lips brushing mine, his voice strained, like he was holding himself back.
“Stop asking,” I said, my voice breathless, my hands guiding his, urging him on. “I want you, Omer. Now.” His growl was primal, and he kissed me hard, his fingers slipping under the fabric, teasing me until I gasped, my head tipping back. He pulled the last of my clothes away, his own following, and our bodies pressed together, skin to skin, the heat of him overwhelming. His lips found my neck again, kissing and nipping as he positioned himself, his hands steadying my hips. I clung to him, my breath hitching as he entered me, slow and deliberate, the stretch and heat pulling a moan from deep in my chest. His groan echoed mine, his forehead pressing against my shoulder, his breath hot and uneven.
We moved together, the rhythm building, fierce and unyielding, the table creaking under us. His hands gripped my hips, guiding me, each thrust stoking the fire between us, his strength meeting my boldness. I kissed him, my tongue tangling with his, my hands roaming his back, nails scraping lightly, urging him on. His lips moved to my breast, his tongue teasing, and I arched into him, my moans filling the cabin, mixing with his growls. The mate bond burned, electric and alive, binding us tighter with every touch. As we neared the edge, my bodytightened around him, my cry sharp and raw, and he followed, his growl deep and primal, our release crashing through us like a wave, leaving us trembling in its wake.
We stayed there, panting, my legs still around him, his hands braced on the table, our foreheads touching. My fingers traced lazy patterns on his back, his skin slick with sweat, the firelight warm on us. “Okay,” I said, my voice shaky, a laugh bubbling up. “That was… intense.”
He chuckled, his breath warm against my cheek. “You make us lose focus, Aurora,” he said, his voice soft but teasing, his lips brushing mine in a gentle kiss. “Every damn time.”
I grinned, easing off the table, my legs wobbly as I grabbed my shirt, pulling it on. “Good,” I said, tossing his shirt at him. “Now, focus on this.” I pointed to my notes, my excitement returning. “The ritual, Omer. We can use it against Viktor. Look, these runes, the chant, it’s all here. We do it right, it could shield Moonridge, keep his pack out.”
He pulled on his shirt, leaning over the table, his eyes scanning my notes, his expression shifting from skeptical to intrigued. “You really think this could work?” he said, his voice cautious. “The Fire’s risky, Aurora. If it goes wrong, it could burn us all.”
“I know,” I said, sitting beside him, my hand on his arm. “But we’re out of options, right? Viktor’s coming, and your pack’s divided. This ritual, it’s a chance to protect everyone, not just fight. You trust me?”
He looked at me, his gray eyes softening, and nodded. “I trust you,” he said, his voice firm. “But we do this careful. I’ll talk to Mara, see what she knows about the ritual. If we’re doing it, we do it right.”
I smiled, relief washing over me. “Deal,” I said, leaning against him, my head on his chest, his heartbeat steady under my ear. “We’ll need a sacred site, maybe that stone circle youtold me about. And we’ll need to time it with the moon, the texts say it’s stronger then.”
He wrapped an arm around me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “You’ve thought this through,” he said, his voice warm. “We’ll plan it together. But you stay close, Aurora. Viktor’s scouts are everywhere, and I can’t lose you.”
I nodded, my fingers tracing the woven bracelet on my wrist, its pack colors a reminder of his protection. “I’m not going anywhere,” I said, my voice soft. “We’re in this together, Omer.”
We lingered, his arm around me, the fire crackling, our plan taking shape. I slipped the bracelet off, tucking it into my pocket, its weight a promise I carried close. The Forbidden Fire was a risk, but with Omer by my side, I felt ready to face it, to protect Moonridge, to prove our bond was worth fighting for.
Chapter Ten
Omer
The air in Moonridge’s war room was thick with tension, the scent of pine and smoke heavy as I stood at the head of the carved oak table, my pack’s eyes locked on me. Dawn light filtered through the narrow windows, casting long shadows across the maps spread before us. A scout had just delivered the news that gutted me: Lukas had betrayed us, slipping word to Viktor’s Blackthorn Pack about Aurora’s presence, painting me as a weak alpha distracted by a human. My fists clenched, the betrayal stinging like a fresh wound, but I kept my face hard, my voice steady. The pack was already on edge, and I couldn’t let them see me falter. Mara sat to my right, her silver braids glinting, her eyes sharp with worry. Kael, the young shifter, stood near the door, his face pale but determined. The others, a mix of seasoned fighters and nervous newcomers, waited for my orders. Lukas stood at the far end, his green eyes glinting, his smirk barely hidden. He thought he’d played me, but he was about to learn otherwise.
“Lukas,” I said, my voice thunderous, echoing off the stone walls. “You went to Viktor. You told him about Aurora, about our division. You sold us out to Blackthorn.”
The room went silent, every shifter freezing, eyes darting between us. Lukas’s smirk faltered, but he straightened, his voice cool. “You’re accusing me without proof, Omer,” he said, crossing his arms. “I’m loyal to Moonridge. Maybe you’re just paranoid, too busy with your human to see straight.”
I slammed my fist on the table, the maps rattling. “Don’t lie to me,” I growled, stepping around the table toward him. “Scouts found your tracks near Blackthorn’s border, your scent mixed with theirs. You think you can undermine me and walk away? You’re done here, Lukas. You’re banished.”
The pack gasped, murmurs rippling through the room. Lukas’s eyes flashed, his smirk gone, replaced by a snarl. “Banished?” he spat, stepping forward, his fists clenched. “You’re the one tearing us apart, Omer, letting a human into Moonridge. You’re no alpha. Viktor will crush you, and I’ll be there to watch.”
I moved fast, grabbing his shirt and shoving him against the wall, my voice low and deadly. “You’re lucky I don’t rip your throat out,” I said. “Get out of Moonridge. If I see you again, you’re dead.”
Lukas snarled, shoving me off, but he didn’t fight back. He knew he’d lost the pack’s support. “You’ll regret this,” he said, his voice venomous, then stormed out, the door slamming behind him. The room stayed quiet, the pack’s eyes on me, waiting for what came next. I took a deep breath, forcing my temper down. “Anyone else want to challenge me?” I said, my voice steady, sweeping the room. No one moved, not even the burly shifter who’d grumbled before. They knew I meant business.
I turned to the maps, pointing to the western border. “Scouts report Viktor’s pack closing in,” I said. “They’ve got numbers, maybe thirty strong, and they’re moving fast. We don’t have time to waste. Mara, you and the elders prepare the sacred circle for the ritual Aurora found. Kael, you’re with the trackers, set traps along the north ridge. The rest of you, split into squads, half in wolf form, half human. We hit them hard and fast before they reach the dens.”
Kael nodded, his voice firm. “Got it, alpha. We’ll have the traps ready by dusk.”
Mara stood, her bones clinking softly. “The circle will be ready,” she said. “But the ritual’s risky, Omer. If Aurora’s wrong, the Fire could turn on us.”
“I trust her,” I said, meeting her eyes. “She’s got a plan, and we’re running out of options. Get it done.” The pack moved, their voices low as they filed out to prepare, the weight of the coming fight settling over us. I grabbed a leather pouch from the table, filled with sacred pack amulets, small stones carved with runes of strength, and headed out. I needed to see Aurora, to make sure she was safe, to tell her what was coming.
The forest was quiet as I reached her cabin, the midday sun filtering through the pines. I knocked, and she opened the door, her eyes bright with determination, her desk a chaos of notes and books. She was packing a bag, her field gear laid out, a knife strapped to her belt, her face set like she was ready for war. The sight of her, so fierce, made my chest tighten with both pride and fear. “Aurora,” I said, stepping inside, closing the door. “What are you doing?”
She looked up, a small smile breaking through. “Getting ready,” she said, tossing a water bottle into her bag. “I heard the howls last night, Omer. Viktor’s coming, isn’t he? I’m not sitting this out.”
I grabbed her shoulders, my voice firm. “You’re not fighting, Aurora. This isn’t your war. Viktor’s pack is dangerous, and Lukas just made it worse. He’s betrayed us, told Viktor you’re here, trying to weaken me.”
