Page 8 of Wolf Mate's Forbidden Fire
I took her hand, my thumb brushing her knuckles, the connection grounding me. “Viktor’s pack is scouting our borders,” I said, my voice low. “They’re moving in, testing us. I got reports this morning, fresh tracks too close to Moonridge. They know the pack’s divided over you, and Viktor’s ready to strike, maybe in days.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away. “Divided over me?” she said, her voice steady. “Because of the prophecy? Or because I’m human?”
“Both,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Lukas is stirring up trouble, rallying the ones who want you gone. I can handle the pack, but Viktor’s a real threat. If he attacks, I need to know you’re safe.”
She stepped closer, her hand resting on my chest, her eyes searching mine. “I’m not leaving, Omer,” she said, her voice soft but unyielding. “You said I’m your mate. That means I’m in this with you, whether it’s your pack or Viktor or some ancient fire. We face it together.”
I smiled, her words easing the weight on my shoulders, if only a little. “You’re stubborn as hell,” I said, my voice warm. “But I wouldn’t have you any other way.” I leaned down, brushing my lips against her forehead, her warmth steadying me. We stood there, her hand in mine, the quiet of the cabin wrapping around us, a rare moment of peace.
A sharp knock broke the silence, and the door swung open before I could react. Lukas stood there, his green eyes glinting, his smirk sharp as ever. “Didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. “Just thought you’d want to know, alpha. Scouts spotted more Blackthorn tracks, west side. Looks like Viktor’s getting bold. Maybe if you weren’t so cozy here, you’d have noticed.”
I stepped in front of Aurora, my voice hard. “Watch your tone, Lukas,” I said. “You got a report, you give it and go. I’m handling the borders.”
Lukas leaned against the doorframe, his smirk unwavering. “Sure you are,” he said. “But the pack’s talking, Omer. They see you here, with her, while Viktor’s closing in. Makes a man wonder where your priorities are.”
Aurora stepped forward, her voice sharp. “His priorities are keeping your pack safe,” she said, her eyes locked on Lukas. “Maybe if you spent less time stirring up trouble, you’d see that.”
Lukas’s eyes flicked to her, his smirk fading for a moment. “Bold words for a human,” he said, then looked back at me. “Better rein her in, alpha, before she causes more problems.”
I moved closer, my voice low and dangerous. “You’re out of line, Lukas. Double the patrols, west and north borders. I want reports by dawn. Now go.”
He held my gaze for a moment, then nodded, his smirk returning as he turned to leave. “Whatever you say, alpha,” he said, his voice mocking as he slipped into the night. I watched him go, my fists clenched, knowing he was pushing for a fight.
I turned back to Aurora, her eyes still on the door, her jaw tight. “He’s going to be a problem,” she said, her voice low. “He’s not just challenging you, he’s turning your pack against you.”
“I know,” I said, my voice heavy. “I’ll deal with him. But right now, Viktor’s the bigger threat. Stay here, keep your door locked, and don’t go into the woods alone. I’ll come back when I can.”
She nodded, her hand squeezing mine. “Be careful, Omer,” she said, her voice soft. “I’m not losing you to some rival alpha.”
I smiled, pulling a woven bracelet from my pocket, its threads dyed with pack colors, a symbol of protection. I slipped it onto her wrist, my fingers lingering on her skin. “Wear this,” I said. “It’s a pack tradition. Means you’re under my protection, no matter what.”
She looked at the bracelet, then up at me, her eyes warm. “Thanks,” she said, her voice quiet. “Now go kick some alpha butt.”
I chuckled, stealing one last look at her before heading out. The forest was dark, the air heavy with the promise of trouble. I shifted to wolf form, my senses sharpening, and led a patrol to the west border. In the distance, I caught the glint of eyes, Viktor’s scouts watching from the shadows. My heart was heavy, torn between Aurora’s safety and the war looming over Moonridge, but her strength gave me focus. I’d protect her, and my pack, no matter the cost.
Chapter Nine
Aurora
I sat at my cabin’s wobbly table, surrounded by scattered notes, open books, and the rune stone, my pencil scratching furiously as I pieced together a breakthrough. The dusty book of legends I’d been studying had finally given up its secrets, a ritual to harness the Forbidden Fire, not to destroy, but to protect. My heart raced as I cross-referenced the shifter texts with the rune stone’s carvings, the chants and symbols clicking into place like a puzzle. If I was right, this ritual could shield Moonridge from Viktor’s pack, maybe even turn the tide. The cabin was quiet, the only sounds the crackle of the fireplace and the occasional hoot of an owl outside, but my mind was buzzing. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, my fingers smudged with pencil lead, and leaned back, staring at the notes. This could change everything.
A knock at the door snapped me out of my thoughts, and I stood, my pulse quickening. I opened it to find Omer, his broad frame filling the doorway, his gray eyes intense under the moonlight. His jacket was dusted with pine needles, his hair messy like he’d been running, and the sight of him sent a sparkthrough me, the mate bond humming in my chest. “Omer,” I said, stepping aside to let him in. “Perfect timing. I’ve got something big to show you.”
He stepped inside, closing the door, his presence warming the small room. “You’re up late,” he said, his voice low and rough, his eyes scanning the mess on my table. “What’s got you so worked up?”
I grinned, grabbing his hand and pulling him to the table, my excitement bubbling over. “I cracked it,” I said, pointing to my notes. “The Forbidden Fire, it’s not just a curse. There’s a ritual in these texts, a way to harness it, to use it as a shield. I think it could protect Moonridge from Viktor.”
His eyebrows shot up, and he leaned over the table, his hand still in mine, his eyes flicking over the runes and chants I’d sketched. “You’re serious?” he said, his voice cautious but curious. “This is dangerous stuff, Aurora. The Fire’s not something we mess with lightly.”
“I know,” I said, stepping closer, my fingers tightening around his. “But listen, the ritual uses these runes, see? And a chant to focus the energy. It’s not about destruction, it’s about balance. If we do it right, it could make Moonridge untouchable.”
He straightened, his eyes locking onto mine, and the air between us shifted, the mate bond pulling tight. “You’re incredible,” he said, his voice softer now, a smile tugging at his lips. “You walk into my world, stir up everything, and now you’re rewriting our myths. You make it hard to stay focused, you know that?”
I laughed, stepping into his space, my hands sliding up his chest, fingers threading through his hair, the soft strands tickling my palms. “Good,” I said, my voice low, teasing. “Because I’m not letting you focus on anything else right now.”I pulled him closer, my lips brushing his, and the spark between us ignited, the bond flaring like a flame.
His hands found my waist, pulling me against him, and our lips crashed together, the kiss deep and hungry, like we’d been holding back too long. His mouth was warm, tasting of pine and something wild, and I pressed closer, my body molding to his. My fingers tugged at his hair, pulling a low growl from his throat, and his hands slid under my shirt, calloused palms grazing the bare skin of my lower back, sending shivers through me. I gasped into his mouth, my nails scraping lightly down his neck, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing mine, slow and deliberate, stoking the heat pooling low in my belly. I pushed his jacket off, letting it fall to the floor, my hands roaming his chest through his shirt, feeling the hard muscle beneath, the rapid beat of his heart matching mine.
He backed me toward the table, his lips trailing down my jaw, hot and open-mouthed, nipping at the sensitive skin just below my ear. “You’re trouble,” he murmured, his voice rough, his breath warm against my neck. My shirt rode up, his fingers brushing the curve of my waist, and I arched into his touch, a soft moan escaping me. I tugged at his shirt, pulling it over his head, revealing the scars and taut skin of his chest, glowing in the firelight. My hands explored him, tracing the lines of his abs, dipping lower to the waistband of his jeans, my fingers teasing the button. His growl vibrated against my collarbone as he kissed lower, his lips lingering on the swell of my breast, his hands deftly undoing my shirt buttons, peeling the fabric away to expose my skin to the cool air.
