The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 241: Chapter 241

Derek POV:
"This place gives me the creeps."
I muttered, my voice low and growly, my golden eyes scanning the spooky spirit realm.
It was even worse than I remembered from my first visit.
The trees were twisted and gnarled, their branches like bony fingers reaching out. The air was thick with the smell of rot and a sickly sweet magic that made me feel sick.
"Tell me about it," Isabelle whispered beside me, her voice echoing my unease.
"It feels… wrong. Twisted. Like something’s sucking the life out of everything."
“Damien’s been busy,” Carson said grimly. He walked ahead of us, leading the way through the shadowy forest.
Rourke, the Bloodmoon rogue who’d brought us here, walked beside him, his red eyes glowing in the dim light.
His huge body radiated a primal energy that made my wolf uneasy.
"His magic is… corrupting the spirit realm. Twisting it to his will."
We’d been following Rourke for what felt like hours, the spirit realm’s landscape constantly shifting and changing around us like a maze.
It was disorienting and unsettling.
I stayed close to Isabelle, my wolf's instincts on high alert, focused on protecting her, even from the rogue who was supposed to be helping us.
“I still don’t trust him, Derek,” my wolf growled, wanting to attack. “He’s a Bloodmoon. A traitor.”
“How much farther, Rourke?” Isabelle’s voice was sharp and commanding. She was trying to sound tough, but I could smell her fear.
“We’re almost there, Alpha,” Rourke replied, his voice a low rumble. “Just… over that ridge.”
He pointed to a dark, shadowy hill in the distance, barely visible in the swirling mist.
The air grew colder as we got closer, the smell of rot stronger, the feeling of dread in my gut heavier.
He’s close, Derek, my wolf growled, his hair standing on end. I can smell him. Damien.
We reached the top of the ridge, and I gasped. Below us lay a ruined palace, its once-grand towers crumbled and overgrown with thorns.
Its windows were like empty eyes staring out at the desolate landscape. A dark, heavy energy pulsed from the palace, making the air crackle and the ground tremble.
“That’s… that’s where he’s holding her,” I said, my voice a low growl.
A fierce need to protect Catrina, Rowan’s mate, surged through me.
The she-wolf who’d stolen his heart, the omega who’d defied destiny – I had to get her out.
“We have to get her out.”
“And Rowan,” Isabelle added, her voice determined but sad.
We both knew the dangers we faced. But Rowan was our Alpha, our brother, and we wouldn't abandon him, not even for love.
“We have to find Rowan, too.”
“That… that’s Damien’s lair, Alpha.” Rourke’s voice was a hushed whisper, full of awe and a fear that even a tough Bloodmoon warrior couldn't hide.
“It’s… a place of dark magic. Few who enter… ever come out.”
“We’re not afraid,” I said, meeting his gaze, my amber eyes blazing with defiance. My wolf snarled, ready to fight, to protect Isabelle, to avenge Rowan, to rescue Catrina.
We’re Magnus wolves. We don’t back down from a fight. Not for anything. Not for anyone.
“We’re going in.”
“Be careful, Derek,” Isabelle said, her hand resting on my arm. Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, a mix of comfort and a longing I quickly pushed down. I couldn’t think about her now, not with Rowan and Catrina in danger, not with Damien’s darkness looming over us.
“Damien’s not like the other Bloodmoons. He’s… different. He’s… powerful.”
“We’ll be careful, Alpha,” Carson assured her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. There was a flicker of something in his golden eyes – a reminder of his own feelings, his own heartbreak, a forbidden love, a misguided loyalty.
“We’ll bring them back. Both of them.”
Rourke led the way, his huge body a shield against the shadows. His scent, a mix of pine and a wild musk, was a constant reminder of the danger we were facing. I stayed close to Isabelle, my wolf’s instincts on high alert, my eyes scanning the darkness, focused on protecting her, even from the rogue who was supposed to be our guide.
Don’t let your guard down, Derek. Not for a second, my wolf growled, his claws digging into the ground, his fangs bared, ready to attack.
We reached the palace gates, a towering archway of twisted metal and bone. The stench of decay was heavy in the air, and the feeling of dread intensified with every step. Shadowy figures with glowing red eyes patrolled the grounds, their scent a mix of pine and Damien's dark magic, making my wolf snarl a warning.
“This is it,” Rourke whispered. “This is where it ends. Are you sure you want to do this? There’s still time to turn back.”
“We’re not turning back, Rourke.” I met his gaze, my amber eyes firm. “We’ve come too far. We’re getting Catrina back. And we’re bringing Rowan home.”
“This is madness,” Rourke muttered, shaking his head. “But… you Magnus wolves… you’re all a little crazy, aren't you?”
He grinned, a flash of sharp teeth. It was both a challenge and a sign of respect, a recognition of the pack bond, the loyalty that went beyond blood and ancient laws.
“Fine. Let’s do this. But if we die, I’m blaming you.” He chuckled, but it didn't ease the tension or the sense of dread that clung to us.
We followed him through the gates. The palace courtyard was a graveyard of broken statues and dead plants, the air thick with the smell of death and decay. Shadow warriors, their red eyes burning, emerged from the darkness, their claws glinting, their growls menacing.
“Stay close!” I shouted to Isabelle, instinctively reaching for her hand.
Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, a reminder of the forbidden desire I had to suppress, for the sake of the pack, for Rowan, for her.