The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 196: Chapter 196

Catrina POV:
“It seems… we have… unfinished business, Rowan Magnus.”
The voice, cold and smooth, sent shivers down my spine.
The air felt heavy, charged with a dark energy that made it hard to breathe.
I looked past Rowan, past the snarling Bloodmoon Alpha, and my blood turned to ice.
Damien.
He stood at the edge of the clearing, tall and shadowy, with eyes that burned like crimson embers.
He radiated power, a dark, ancient magic that made my wolf whimper, her claws retracting, her body trembling.
“He’s back. But how?” My wolf’s voice was a terrified whisper. “I thought he was gone.”
“Stand down, Bloodmoon,” Damien commanded, his voice a low, dangerous purr.
“I didn’t give you permission to… manhandle our guest.”
The Bloodmoon Alpha, his anger melting away like ice in the sun, lowered his head.
His amber eyes were empty, filled with an blind obedience. He bowed low, practically scraping the ground.
“I’m sorry, Master,” he mumbled.
Master? My mind reeled.
What was going on? This powerful Alpha, the leader of a rogue pack, was bowing? But why?
I looked at the Bloodmoon Alpha’s eyes, and I saw it. The emptiness.
He wasn’t in control. He was being controlled, manipulated, his mind a puppet in Damien’s hands.
“He’s using them, Catrina.” My wolf growled, fear and understanding in her voice. “He’s using them all.”
My heart pounded as I looked back at Damien.
He was the one who’d sent the necklace.
He’d been watching me, manipulating me. He was behind… everything.
But… how? How could he be here? And how is he controlling the Bloodmoons?
And then it hit me, a memory flashing through my mind.
A face, a name, a scent that I’d tried to ignore, a piece of the puzzle that finally clicked into place.
Kael.
My boss at the coffee shop. The man with the unsettling red eyes, the charming smile, the touch that had sent shivers down my spine.
He’d warned me about Rowan, about the dangers of being an omega in a werewolf’s world.
He’d offered comfort, a shoulder to cry on.
But it was all a lie. A mask to hide his true nature, his true self.
“It was him, Catrina”. My wolf howled, her voice full of sadness and regret. “He was the one who sent the necklace. He was the one who… manipulated you.”
“You’ve figured it out, haven’t you, sweetheart?” Damien chuckled.
His voice was a silken purr, a mocking amusement that made my skin crawl.
His crimson eyes burned into mine, a predatory gleam that made me want to shrink back, to disappear.
“I was wondering how long it would take you to see through my… little charade.”
“Kael,” I whispered, the name a betrayal, a reminder of my own stupidity, my foolish trust in a stranger.
“Yes, my dear Catrina. Kael.” Damien’s smile widened, a cruel, triumphant smirk.
“He’s been… keeping an eye on you. Making sure you were… safe. Ready.”
“For what, Damien?” Rowan’s voice was a low growl, a challenge.
Damien simply waved his hand, and Rowan went flying backward, crashing into a tree.
The impact made a sickening thud that made my heart lurch. I felt a surge of fear for him, a protectiveness that surprised me.
“You’ll learn soon enough, Alpha,” Damien said, his gaze returning to me, his crimson eyes burning with hunger, with possessiveness.
“You and your precious… mate… are both… essential to my plans.”
“Don’t touch her, Damien!” Rowan roared, his silver fur gleaming in the moonlight.
He scrambled to his feet, his wolf snarling, his claws extended. He was ready to fight, to protect me.
“He’s willing to die for you, Catrina.” My wolf whimpered, a flicker of warmth in the face of the overwhelming fear.
But I knew that it was too late. Rowan, despite his strength, his Alpha power, was no match for Damien.
“You’re a fool, Rowan Magnus,” Damien chuckled, his voice a low, menacing rumble.
“You think you can defeat me? You, a mere pup, blinded by your pathetic omega love?”
He raised his hand, and a wave of dark energy slammed into Rowan.
He crashed to the ground, a lifeless heap. My heart shattered, and a scream ripped from my throat.
“No! Rowan!” My wolf howled, her voice full of pain.
I couldn't move.
I was frozen by fear, the sight of Rowan, my mate, lying broken and bleeding, a victim of my own mistakes.
It’s your fault, Catrina. The voice of doubt, cold and sharp, twisted my gut.
You led him here. You… you killed him.
Damien turned towards me, his crimson eyes gleaming, his smile cruel.
“Now… where were we, Catrina?” he purred, his voice a silken caress, a promise and a threat.
His gaze was predatory, hungry, making my blood run cold.
He’s going to take you, Catrina. My wolf whimpered. And this time… there’s no escape.
But as despair threatened to consume me, a spark of defiance flickered inside me.
The memory of the silver she-wolf, her eyes blazing with ancient power, her love transcending lifetimes… it gave me strength.
“No, Damien. You won’t win. Not this time.”
My wolf snarled, her claws extending, her body trembling with a newfound strength.
It wasn’t my omega nature. It was something deeper, the heart of a warrior, a mother’s love, the spirit of a Luna.
I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath.
The scent of pine and woodsmoke, of Rowan’s blood, of Damien’s magic, filled my senses.
But I wouldn’t give in. I wouldn’t let him win.
I opened my eyes, and the world shifted. The colors of the forest blurred, the shadows danced, and the air crackled with energy.
A warmth spread through my limbs, a power coursed through my veins. I felt myself changing.
“Let me fight.” Lyra’s voice was a fierce whisper in my mind. “Let me protect… our mate.”
“Yes, Lyra,” I whispered back, my voice a low growl. Let’s show him what a true omega can do.
Silver light exploded from me, a blinding flash that illuminated the clearing.
The Bloodmoon wolves cowered, their red eyes wide with fear.
Damien stumbled back, his crimson gaze flickering with surprise.
He recognized the ancient magic that now pulsed within me, a power he couldn’t control.
The fight wasn't over. But I wasn't afraid anymore. I was ready.