Page 13 of Panther Heart’s Secret Passion (Esoterra Shifters World #2)
Chapter Thirteen
Adrienne
I stood beside Allen in the vast council chamber of Esoterra, my heart pounding as the crystal lights above shimmered like stars, casting a soft glow over the stone floor.
The elders sat on their carved seats, their faces stern, but I gripped my evidence tightly, photos of sabotaged logging equipment, Benjamin’s whistleblower notes, and a scroll we had taken from Morris detailing his ritual.
The air was heavy with expectation, and Allen’s hand brushed mine, his presence steadying me.
Lupe, the head elder, leaned forward, her voice sharp.
“Adrienne Phelps, you stand here as a human who knows our secret. Explain why we should spare you and Allen Orr for his breach of our laws.”
I took a deep breath, my voice clear and firm.
“I am not here to expose Esoterra. I am here to protect it, same as Allen. Morris was working with the logging company’s CEO, sabotaging equipment to draw attention to your forest, hoping to break your veil.
I have proof, photos, notes, even Morris’s own plans.
We can frame this as a human conspiracy, pin it all on the CEO’s greed.
No one will ever hear about shifters, I swear.
” I held up the photos, my hands steady despite the council’s piercing stares.
“This CEO was buying rare pelts, funding Morris to profit from the chaos. My story will call him out as a corporate criminal, nothing more. Esoterra stays hidden.”
Torin, his gray beard catching the light, raised an eyebrow. “And why should we trust you, a journalist? Your kind thrives on secrets, on exposing what is hidden.”
I smirked, my wit kicking in. “Trust me because I am good at my job. I know how to spin a story, and this one is airtight. The CEO already has a shady reputation, tax evasion, cutting corners. People will eat this up without asking questions. Plus, I am not exactly eager to tell the world I am in love with a guy who turns into a panther. They would lock me up first.” A few elders chuckled, their tension easing, and I felt Allen’s hand squeeze mine, his pride clear in his touch.
Lupe’s eyes narrowed, but her voice softened. “And you, Allen? You revealed our nature to a human, breaking our oldest law. What defense do you offer?”
Allen stepped forward, his voice steady.
“I broke the law to save Esoterra. Adrienne is my soulmate, and that bond gave me the strength to stop Morris. She did not just save herself, she saved us all with her evidence. Refugio saw us fight together, he will tell you. Punish me if you have to, but do not touch her. She is one of us now.”
Refugio, standing at the chamber’s edge, nodded, his grizzled face serious.
“Orr speaks true. I saw them in the grove, working as a team. The human has courage, and her plan is solid. Morris is bound, the fragments are secure, and Esoterra is safe because of them. The bond between them, it is real. I have seen it strengthen him.”
The elders murmured, their gazes shifting.
Lupe raised a hand, silencing them. “The soulmate bond is rare, and its power is undeniable. Adrienne Phelps, your evidence and your actions have protected our realm. Allen Orr, your loyalty to Esoterra, despite your breach, is clear. You are both pardoned, but know this, any further violation will bring swift judgment.” She nodded, and the council rose, dismissing us with a wave.
I exhaled, my knees weak with relief, and Allen pulled me close, his voice low. “You were amazing. I thought they would skin me alive.”
I grinned, nudging his side. “Told you I am good at spinning a story. Now let us get out of here before they change their minds.” We left the chamber, the crystal lights fading behind us, and I felt lighter than I had in weeks, the weight of the fight finally lifting.
Back in Mistvale, I sat at the newspaper office, the smell of ink and coffee grounding me as I typed my story.
The headline read, “Logging CEO Linked to Equipment Sabotage Scandal,” and the article laid out the CEO’s crimes, fraud, environmental violations, and shady deals, backed by my photos and notes.
Not a word about shifters or Esoterra. Trisha, my editor, slapped the desk, her raspy voice full of pride.
“Phelps, this is your best work yet. You are gonna get offers from every big paper in Seattle after this.”
I smiled, but my heart was not in it. “Thanks, Trisha, but I am staying local for now. Got something better than fame waiting for me.” She raised an eyebrow but did not push, and I left the office, my story sent to print, knowing it would bring the CEO down without exposing Allen’s world.
Allen and I settled in a cabin on Esoterra’s border, its wooden porch creaking under our weight as we watched the sunrise, the sky painted in pink and gold.
The forest stretched out below, alive with the hum of life, and I leaned against him, his arm around my shoulders.
“Not a bad view,” I said, my voice soft. “Beats my motel room any day.”
He chuckled, his green eyes warm. “You sure about this? You could be out there, chasing big stories, living the city life. Do not want you feeling stuck with me.”
I turned to face him, my hand resting on his chest. “I am exactly where I want to be, Allen. You are my story now, and I am not trading that for anything.” I kissed him, soft at first, but the bond pulsed between us, a faint light shimmering where our skin touched, like the magic of Esoterra itself.
My fear of his shifter nature was gone, replaced by trust, by love.
We moved inside, the bedroom warmed by a crackling fire, its light dancing on the wooden walls.
I pushed him toward the bed, my hands bold as I tugged at his shirt, my lips finding his in a kiss that deepened, hungry and sure.
“You are not getting out of this one,” I teased, my voice low as I pulled his shirt off, my fingers tracing the scars on his chest, each one a story I wanted to know.
I unbuttoned his jeans, my hands steady, my lips brushing his jaw, his throat, feeling his pulse race under my touch.
He grinned, his hands sliding under my sweater, his fingers warm as they traced the curve of my ribs, lifting the fabric over my head.
“Would not dream of it,” he said, his voice rough, his lips trailing down my neck, slow and deliberate, drawing a soft gasp from me.
His thumbs brushed the sensitive skin beneath my bra, sending shivers through me, and I unhooked it, letting it fall, my skin bare in the firelight.
His eyes darkened, his hands exploring my curves, his lips kissing along my collarbone, his teeth grazing just enough to make me arch into him.
I pushed his jeans down, my fingers tracing the hard lines of his hips, my touch bold as I pulled him closer, the bond’s light pulsing faintly between us.
I straddled him on the soft furs of the bed, my hands roaming his chest, feeling the scars under my fingertips, my lips teasing his ear, my breath warm against his skin.
“You are mine, shifter,” I whispered, my voice playful but thick with need.
He growled softly, his hands gripping my hips, his touch tender but possessive as he peeled my jeans off, his fingers lingering on my thighs, the firelight glowing on our skin.
I kissed him deeply, my tongue sliding against his, my breath hitching as he lifted me slightly, his lips trailing down my chest, kissing the curve of my breast, his tongue teasing until I moaned, my hands tangling in his hair.
He entered me slowly, his eyes locked on mine, watching every flicker of my expression as I adjusted, my hands tight on his shoulders.
“Allen,” I gasped, my voice breaking as he moved deeper, his shifter strength gentle but firm, each thrust sending heat through me.
The fire crackled, its snap mixing with my soft moans as his lips found my neck again, kissing the sensitive spot behind my ear, his teeth grazing gently.
I moved with him, my hips matching his rhythm, my nails grazing his back, drawing a low growl from him as we pushed each other higher.
His hands slid to my thighs, his fingers digging in just enough to make me tremble, and I kissed him hard, my tongue teasing his, the bond making every touch electric.
The furs were soft beneath us, the firelight casting shadows as we moved faster, our connection raw and consuming.
I cried out, my body shuddering as I reached my peak, the bond pulling him with me in a rush of heat and release, our gasps mingling with the fire’s crackle.
We collapsed onto the furs, our bodies entwined, the fire’s warmth wrapping around us. I rested my head on his chest, his heartbeat steady under my ear, my fingers tracing his scars lazily. “You ever gonna tell me about all these?” I teased, my voice warm. “Or do I have to keep guessing?”
He chuckled, his hand brushing my hair. “One day, I will tell you every story. But you might get bored, they are mostly me being dumb and getting scratched up.”
I laughed, propping myself up to look at him. “Bored? With you? Never. Though I am gonna have to get used to your cat naps. You were out cold on the porch yesterday, purring like a lawnmower.”
He grinned, his eyes crinkling. “Purring, huh? That is your fault, keeping me up all night.” He reached into his pocket, pulling out a carved wooden ring etched with a panther, its lines smooth and intricate.
“Got something for you, though. Figured it is time to make this official.” He slid the ring onto my finger, his voice soft but sure.
“Marry me, Adrienne. Let us build a life, bridge our worlds together.”
I stared at the ring, my throat tight, then kissed him, hard and deep, the bond glowing faintly between us. “Yes,” I whispered against his lips. “Let us do it, Allen. You, me, Esoterra, Mistvale, all of it.” We kissed again, our laughter warm, planning a future filled with hope, unity, and love.
~ END ~