Page 10 of Wolf Mate’s Forbidden Fire (Esoterra Shifters World #1)
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.”
Her eyes widened, but she didn’t flinch. “That snake,” she said, her voice sharp. “I knew he was trouble. So what’s the plan? You’re not sending me away, Omer. I’m in this, with you and your pack.”
I pulled her into a fierce embrace, her body warm against mine, the mate bond humming between us. “You’re too damn stubborn,” I said, my voice muffled against her hair. “But I need you safe. Viktor’s moving in, maybe in days. We’re preparing for a fight, and I can’t lose you.”
She pulled back, her hands on my face, her eyes fierce. “You won’t lose me,” she said, her voice steady. “I’ve got the ritual ready, Omer. It’ll protect Moonridge, I know it. And I’m not hiding in this cabin while you fight. We do this together.”
I nodded, her courage steadying me, and kissed her hard, my hands tightening on her waist. “Together,” I said, my voice rough. “But you stay with me or Mara, no running off alone. Promise me.”
“Promise,” she said, her fingers brushing my chest, her touch grounding me. “Now, let me show you the ritual notes. We’ll need the sacred circle, the runes, and the chant timed with the moon. I think we can pull it off.”
I followed her to the desk, her notes neat despite the chaos, the rune stone sitting beside a sketch of the circle. “You’ve done your homework,” I said, my voice warm with pride. “This could work. Mara’s preparing the circle, but it’s risky. If the Fire turns on us, it’s over.”
She nodded, her hand on mine. “I know. But it’s our best shot. We’ll do it right, Omer. For Moonridge.”
Before I could respond, a howl cut through the air, sharp and urgent.
I moved to the window, spotting a scout sprinting toward the cabin.
“Stay here,” I said, heading outside. The scout, a wiry shifter named Taryn, was breathless, her eyes wide.
“Alpha,” she said, panting. “We found Lukas’s tracks, heading straight to Blackthorn’s territory.
He’s with them, Omer. Viktor’s got him.”
I cursed, my fists clenching. “Confirm it?” I said, my voice hard.
She nodded. “His scent’s fresh, mixed with theirs. He’s turned traitor.”
“Alright,” I said, my voice steady despite the rage burning in me.
“Double the patrols, Taryn. Tell the squads to be ready for an attack by tomorrow night. Go.” She nodded and ran off, her form disappearing into the trees.
I turned back to Aurora, who stood in the doorway, her face set.
“Lukas is with Viktor now,” I said, my voice low. “This just got uglier.”
“Then we move faster,” she said, stepping closer, her hand on my arm. “We get the ritual ready, we fight together. I’m not letting Lukas or Viktor win.”
I nodded, pulling the leather pouch from my pocket. I took out a sacred amulet, a stone carved with a rune of strength, and pressed it into her hand. “For you,” I said. “The pack’s wearing these. They’re symbols of our resolve, our unity. Keep it close.”
She closed her fingers around it, her eyes soft. “I will,” she said, then leaned up, kissing me softly. “Go get your pack ready, Omer. I’ll be here, working on the ritual.”
I nodded, stealing one last look at her before heading out.
The forest was tense, the air heavy with the promise of war.
I distributed the amulets to my warriors, their faces hardening as they took them, their resolve strengthening.
Lukas’s tracks to Blackthorn’s territory confirmed his treachery, and Viktor’s pack was closing in.
I steeled myself for the fight, my heart heavy with Aurora’s safety, but her courage gave me strength.
We’d face this together, or we’d fall trying.