Page 8 of Wolf Mate’s Forbidden Fire (Esoterra Shifters World #1)

Chapter Eight

Omer

I stood in the predawn mist of Moonridge’s training grounds, my breath visible in the chilly air, as urgent reports from our scouts weighed heavy on my shoulders.

Viktor’s pack, the Blackthorn, had been spotted sniffing around our borders, their tracks too close for comfort.

They were exploiting the cracks in our pack, the division over Aurora’s presence, and I could feel the tension like a taut bowstring.

My wolf growled inside me, itching to run the borders myself, but I had to keep the pack sharp.

I’d called a training session at first light, and the clearing was packed with shifters, some in human form, others as wolves, their eyes locked on me.

I paced in front of them, my boots sinking into the damp grass, my voice cutting through the quiet.

“Viktor’s pack is circling,” I said, my tone hard.

“They smell weakness, and we’re not giving them an inch.

Today, we drill fighting in both forms. Switch fast, stay sharp. If Blackthorn comes, we’re ready.”

I pointed to a young shifter, Kael, barely eighteen, his gray fur bristling as he lunged at a training dummy in wolf form.

His stance was sloppy, his hind legs too far back.

“Kael, tighten up,” I barked, striding over.

“Plant your paws, keep your weight low. You’re not pouncing on a rabbit, you’re taking down a rival.

” He shifted to human form, his face flushed, and nodded, wiping sweat from his brow.

“Sorry, alpha,” he said, his voice eager.

“I’ll get it right.” I clapped his shoulder, giving him a nod, then turned to the others.

“Pair up. Humans, focus on speed. Wolves, focus on precision. Go.”

The clearing erupted into motion, shifters sparring, some grappling hand-to-hand, others snapping jaws as wolves.

I moved through them, correcting stances, my eyes scanning for weakness.

Lukas stood at the edge, his lean frame relaxed but his green eyes sharp, watching me too closely.

He’d been whispering to the traditionalists all week, stirring doubts about my focus, and I could feel his challenge brewing.

He stepped forward, arms crossed, his voice loud enough for the others to hear.

“Nice speech, Omer,” he said, his smirk sharp.

“But are we training to fight Blackthorn or to protect your human? Seems like your head’s not in the game. ”

The clearing went quiet, all eyes on us. My temper flared, but I kept my voice steady, stepping close to Lukas. “You got a problem, beta?” I said, my tone low and dangerous. “Say it plain, or get back to training.”

Lukas didn’t flinch, his smirk widening. “I’m saying what everyone’s thinking. You’re spending too much time with that human, Aurora. Viktor’s scouts are out there because they know we’re divided. Maybe if you weren’t so distracted, we wouldn’t be scrambling.”

A few shifters nodded, their faces hard, and my jaw tightened. “I’m handling Viktor,” I said, my voice carrying. “And Aurora’s not your concern. She’s my guest, under my protection. You want to question my leadership, call a challenge. Otherwise, do your job.”

Lukas held my gaze for a moment, then raised his hands, his smirk still there.

“No challenge, alpha. Just keeping it real.” He turned to the others, his voice casual but pointed.

“Let’s train. Gotta be ready when Omer’s too busy to lead.

” A few shifters chuckled, but most got back to work, the air thick with tension.

I let it go, for now, but Lukas was pushing too far.

By midmorning, the training session wrapped, and I sent the pack to their duties, my mind already on Aurora.

I needed to see her, to warn her about Viktor, to make sure she was safe.

I slipped through the forest, sticking to the paths I knew best, until her cabin came into view, its windows glowing with lamplight.

I knocked lightly, and she opened the door, her hair pulled back, her eyes bright with focus.

Her desk was a mess of notes, open books, and the rune stone I’d seen her pocket at Moonridge, glinting in the light.

She was bent over a dusty book of local legends, her pencil moving fast as she jotted down notes.

The sight of her, so determined, stirred a mix of pride and fear in my chest. She was too smart, too close to unraveling our secrets.

“Hey,” I said, stepping inside, closing the door behind me. “You’re deep in it, huh?”

She looked up, a small smile breaking through.

“Omer,” she said, setting her pencil down.

“Didn’t expect you this early. Yeah, I’m trying to crack these shifter texts.

This rune stone, it’s like the ones in this book, but the translations are tricky.

You going to help me or just stand there looking serious? ”

I chuckled, moving to her side, glancing at her notes. “You don’t give up, do you?” I said, my voice soft. “But you need to be careful, Aurora. You’re digging into things that could put a bigger target on your back.”

She stood, stepping closer, her hand brushing mine, her touch sending a spark through me. “I’m not scared,” she said, her voice firm but warm. “You invited me into your world, remember? I’m not backing out now. What’s going on? You look like you haven’t slept.”

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.