Page 9 of Wolf Mate’s Forbidden Fire (Esoterra Shifters World #1)

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 spark through 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.

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 out of 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 body tightened 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 you told 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.