The Alpha's forbidden omega mate - Chapter 318: Chapter 318

Catrina POV:
His words, a promise and a plea, echoed in the quiet of the balcony, the moonlight a soft caress on our skin.
We were united in our love, our resolve to face the darkness.
Yet, his words also spoke of a sacrifice that may be required, a destiny we couldn't fully grasp, a future that felt terrifyingly fragile.
I clutched his hand, a silent vow, a reminder of the bond we shared, the love that would endure no matter what trials lay ahead.
"I have to, Rowan," I whispered, my voice a mix of vulnerability and a hard-won strength.
I was no longer the Silver Wolf, the conduit of ancient magic.
Lyra's power had been the price for his return, the sacrifice I had made to set him free.
My wolf, usually so responsive to the slightest shift in power, now felt quiet, a shadow of her former self.
My heart, however, still beat with the same ferocity, the same protective instinct, the same desperate hope for a future, even as I struggled with the loss of my power, with the knowledge that I could no longer directly fight the darkness that surrounded us.
“I have to be… strong. I have to be… the Luna this pack needs.”
Rowan's hand tightened around mine, his touch a grounding force, a reassurance that I wasn’t alone, that he was there for me, that we would face this darkness… together.
“You are, Catrina,” he said, his voice a low rumble, his gaze holding mine, his amber eyes filled with a warmth that chased away some of the shadows, a love that made my heart ache.
“You’ve always been strong. You are… everything this pack needs. And… you’re everything… I need.”
I smiled, a small, genuine smile that reached my eyes, a flicker of hope igniting in the face of overwhelming despair, the certainty that even without Lyra's magic, even without the Silver Wolf's power, I was still Catrina, a woman capable of leading, of loving, of fighting for what was right.
“We should get some rest," he said, his gaze drifting towards the east, the first hint of dawn painting the sky with shades of grey and soft pink, a reminder of the fleeting peace. "We have a long day ahead of us."
We walked back inside, the scent of pine and leather and a growing sense of purpose filling the air, a stark contrast to the chilling darkness of the spirit realm, the ghostly whispers that still echoed in my mind.
The great hall, once filled with whispers and unease, now felt almost… calm.
A few wolves lingered, cleaning up, their movements purposeful, their scents tinged with a quiet strength, a newfound determination.
I saw my parents talking quietly by the fireplace, Lucas asleep in mom’s arms. A wave of love, of family, washed over me. We had so much to protect.
“Isabelle's in the study, making plans,” Rowan said, his gaze following mine, his amber eyes reflecting the knowledge that the time for rest was brief, the need to prepare for the coming storm a relentless call to action. “She won’t rest either.”
We found her there, the familiar scent of lavender and a quiet strength emanating from her.
She stood before a map of our territory, her brow furrowed in concentration, a mix of determination and weariness in her amber eyes.
“He won’t be happy, Isabelle.” I said, stopping at the doorway, my voice soft, recognizing a tension in her posture.
She looked up, a faint smile touching her lips.
“The elders?” she asked, her voice a low rumble.
“They’re… they’re worried, Isabelle,” Rowan said, his voice a low growl, his Alpha instincts sensing the danger that still lurked, the unease that lingered in the air.
“They think we’re… making a mistake. They think that… I’m still… corrupted.”
“They’re fearful, Rowan. Not foolish” Isabelle’s words were a firm correction.
“They’ve seen what Damien’s darkness can do, they felt it through Derek. It would be unwise to ignore their concerns. They need to be reassured.”
“I know,” Rowan sighed, running a hand through his fur, his gaze drifting towards the map, the vast territory we were bound to protect, a reminder of the responsibilities he had reclaimed, the destiny he was embracing.
“They need to understand what we’re planning, Isabelle,” I said, stepping further into the study, my wolf pacing restlessly beside me, her instincts urging me to action, to prepare, to fight. “We need to be… clear. About our purpose. About the future.”
“And about my place in it,” I added, my voice gaining strength, a quiet conviction settling in my heart, a reminder of the choice I’d made, the path I’d chosen, the Luna I was becoming.
“They need to see me, not as just an omega, not just as Rowan’s mate, but as a leader. As a partner. As… as a force… to be reckoned with.”
Isabelle met my gaze, her eyes shining with a mix of pride and respect, a shared understanding of the burden we carried, the destiny we were determined to fulfill.
“And they will, Catrina,” she said, her voice firm, unwavering, a challenge to the doubts, the fears, the shadows that still lingered.
“They’ll see your strength. Your courage. Your… love. And they’ll understand, just as I did, that you are the Luna this pack needs.”
“We need a plan, Isabelle,” Rowan said, his voice a low rumble, his gaze fixed on the map, his mind already racing, strategizing, preparing for the battles ahead.
“We need to strengthen our defenses, to forge alliances, to find a way to stop Damien, to save Derek, to… protect our world.”
He took a deep breath, the scent of pine and a fierce determination filling the room, a reminder of the Alpha he was, the leader he was becoming, the hope he was determined to uphold.
“A plan to protect our pack.”
“I’m sorry about that…” Isabelle’s voice, though laced with a familiar warmth, held a tremor, a hint of something unspoken, a mix of regret and a resolve that made my wolf wary.
“But… I cannot help.”
Her words cut through the comfortable camaraderie, the fragile hope we'd managed to build.
I looked at her, her eyes, once so full of life, now clouded with sadness.
“What do you mean, Isabelle?” I asked, my voice a shaky whisper, my gaze searching hers.
“I’m getting everything finished to go,” she said, her voice a soft murmur, her words a confirmation of a truth I’d been trying to deny.
“Go?” Rowan’s voice, a low rumble, his scent, pine and leather, a reminder of his strength, his protection, his love, filled the room.
He stepped closer, his amber eyes, sharp, assessing, a silent challenge to the decision she'd made, the path she was choosing. “Where are you going, Isabelle?”