Extinguishing Wildfire
Chapter 33: From the Inside

Aaliyah

Kedrick had explained his plan to us, so we knew they had already set up camp. Larkin went ahead and gave him his number and told him to text any updates straight to him. It didn't matter now if his father knew who he was texting or not.

I got out of bed a little after five as I was unable to continue tossing and turning. Hope and I could feel Jordan and Neo were nearby, and I kept feeling Hope get the urge to run off to replace them.

Rory was oddly quiet this morning. She sat on the window seat, staring out at the forest line.

“Are you okay?” Rory startled at my voice but looked up at me.

“Yeah, I'm just a little tense. Phoenix feels like she's about to burst out of me. It must be because we know they're out there already.”

“Hope is like that, too. It's crazy to think there's an entire army hiding behind those trees.”

“Yeah, maybe I'll finally be free now.”

We both let out a deep sigh, and Rory went back to staring out of the window. I went out to the living area and saw that Larkin was also awake. He was sitting on the couch with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Looks like I'm playing counselor today.

“Hey, good morning.”

“Oh, hey, you're up.”

“Who can sleep with all of this excitement?” I sat down across from him. “Are you good?”

He chuckled mirthlessly, “As good as anyone can be when they're about to challenge their own father.”

“So, not at all.”

He fidgeted by opening and closing his fist, “Exactly. But it has to be done. Your brother will text me when everyone is in position, and I'll go replace my father. James and Scarlett are talking to some of the warriors who are on our side, making sure they get everyone to stand down once the challenge has been issued.” He rubbed at his eyes, and I was certain he hadn't slept much in the past few days.

“You'll get this, you were born to be Alpha, and you have a lot of us on your side.”

“Thank you…for saying that. I know I already asked, but please take care of Rory. I'll be okay as long as Nora, Rory, and my mom get out of this safely.”

I wasn't sure if we should be drinking it, but I made some coffee for us and made some toast just to have something to do while waiting. The three of us took a mug and a plate, but we didn't really eat.

James and Scarlett showed up around six, and they also grabbed some coffee. “We stopped by one of the guard stations before coming here. The guard said that while our army is large, theirs looks bigger. I sure hope that's true. Maybe we can push the numbers in our favor even more with everyone who's actually on our side from Wildfire.”

“I hope you're right, either way, I want to do this with the least amount of bloodshed possible, so we need to replace my father quickly. He's probably just waking up right about now, so we can check his room first.”

The sound of Larkin's phone chiming caught us off guard, and we all stared at Larkin as he checked his messages. “It's time, they're all in place.”

“Let's go then.” James set his mug down, and I was grateful for his calm presence. He didn't seem as affected by this as the rest of us, but I figured that was just who he was. Rory gave the three of them a big hug, and they left.

“This will all work out. Don't worry, Rory. Now, we just wait for Jordan to replace us.” Rory nodded, seemingly unable to speak from all of the emotions. She kept pacing the room, and I hated to say it, but I paced right along with her. I tried to sit, but my nerves got the best of me.

After about 20 minutes of this, a loud pounding on the door made us flinch. Rory and I looked at each other with wide eyes. “Do you think that's Jordan…or someone else…what do we do?” Rory walked over to the door, and I saw her sniffing the air. She stilled as if lost in a trance, but the pounding kept going for another two beats before suddenly stopping.

"Rory, scoot over a bit, and I'll peek out the door and see who it is." She slowly moved over, and I quietly unlocked the door. My nerves immediately calmed down as soon as I sensed Jordan's cherry and leather scent. I pushed open the door and rushed into his arms. I was never letting this man go again.

We rushed out, but Rory's odd behavior all made sense now that we discovered she was mated to Cristian. Her wolf must have felt him nearby this whole time. I didn't want Jordan to leave me, but I knew he had to go back to the fight, so I focused on helping Rory like I had promised Larkin.

Rory

My mate…I have a mate. ‘Phoenix, are you sure?’

‘Yes, he's ours,’ She practically purred the words. He rushed off before I could get a good look at him or even ask his name, but at least I got a good look at his eyes. His wonderful deep brown eyes, that looked like chocolate syrup. I wanted nothing more than to get lost in his eyes.

“Rory, are you okay?” I looked up to replace Nora’s worried face looming over me.

“She found her mate, so she might still be a little dazed.”

“You're mate? Just now? Who is he?” Nora looked between me and Aaliyah for answers.

“I don't know, but he had the most wonderful brown eyes.”

“Cristian, her mate is Cristian.” Aaliyah directed the words to Nora, but I latched on to the name.

“Oh…Cristian.” The two of them exchanged a look I couldn't read.

“Cristian? Is that…”

“Gema's brother,” Nora confirmed with a nod.

“We need some help over here!” Someone shouted and I was pulled out of my daze as I realized they were bringing in the wounded.

“They need my help, Nora will stay with you.” Aliyah rushed off, and our conversation was put to rest as we got to work helping the wounded.

Larkin

It's now or never, and I'm pretty sure never is not an option.

‘It’s not an option, but we're ready. I've been resting up for this fight, Champion won't know what hit him. Don't let out our full aura until I tell you to.’

‘We have to replace him first, Flint.’

We heard the battle alarm sound out, and I knew I had no time to waste. I tried my father's room first, as we were already on the Alpha floor. I knocked with no response, but I tried the door, and it was surprisingly unlocked. I never took my Father for such a trusting person even in his own house.

The first few rooms were empty, but James and Scarlett followed, staying just one step behind me. The only place left to look was his room. I wanted to surprise him, so I knocked once before entering instead of waiting for him to open the door.

“Larkin,” He was standing on the balcony, wearing his usual dress slacks and button-down shirt. His shirt wasn't completely done up, as it looked like he had been disrupted in the middle of dressing. He rolled up his sleeves as he stared out at the field, of course, he didn't care to be down there with his own people. He had a clear view of the fight below, and just lorded over everyone like a tyrant king. “Are you here to inform me that there's a war going on down below?”

“Not exactly, but I'm glad you can see the fight for yourself.”

“I knew they'd be here eventually. There's no need to worry, our warriors will destroy them.”

“I'm not worried.” His pridefulness gave me the confidence I needed, and what started out as nerves turned to anger. He really thought he was invincible.

“You could have fooled me, barging into my room like this. Running to your father like a little child, I'm surprised you didn't bring your sister with you, begging me to protect her.”

‘Is this guy serious right now? If I weren't biding my time, I'd ask you to let me out right here.’ Flint had the exact thought I did. My father's arrogance knew no bounds.

I shook my head at him. I knew who he was, I had always known but I never thought I would get to stand here face-to-face and not give a damn about what he thought anymore. I can't believe there was a time in my life when I wanted this man's approval. It was freeing to no longer desire that anymore, and the feeling gave me that final push I needed.

“I'm not here to warn you or to beg you for anything. I'm here to issue my official challenge. I, Larkin Novak, challenge you, Marek Novak, for the title of Alpha of the Wildfire pack.” The words left my mouth, and I felt a giant weight off my chest.

My father just laughed as if he heard a funny joke. “I didn't think you had that in you. What's stopping me from just killing you right here, hmm?” He taunted me with his words, but I was ready for his attempt to get out of this.

“My witnesses,” James and Scarlett stepped into the room, showing my father that I wasn't alone.

“Well, at least you aren't a complete idiot. I'm going to enjoy killing you, let's go.” He pushed past us and slowly made his way down each flight of stairs. He headed to the main field and sent out a mind link to the pack

‘Stop the fighting! Larkin Novak has issued a challenge for my title. The challenge has been acknowledged and will happen right here, right now. Make way, soldiers!”

The Wildfire warriors quickly followed orders, and a cry of “Challenge!” rang out through the crowd. The warriors circled up making a wide circle that would serve as our ring. I watched as the Wildfire and Harvest Moon shifters separated on each side. More people came to watch, some pack members from the safe houses and those from the Harvest Moon Camp.

I walked to the center of the circle, and I picked up the soft scent of roses in the air. Nora. I looked around until my eyes made contact with hers. Everything felt right again. She rushed over to me, crashing her lips against mine without a second thought.

“I love you, I just needed you to know that, now go win this fight.”

“I love you, too.” My father quieted the crowd, and Nora rushed back to stand by my sister. That was the final piece I needed to do this. The man before me stood no chance against me now.

Aaliyah

So far, we hadn't had many serious injuries, but I knew it was likely because those were the people that were still on the field unable to move. I kept myself busy cleaning and bandaging wounds, but a sharp pain in my head and leg had me toppling over.

‘Jordan’s hurt.’ Hope cried out in my head. ‘We have to go to him.’

I didn't even think twice before heading back onto the field. I needed to get to Jordan, there was no way I was losing him. He was still close to the same spot where we had left Cristian, and I saw him on the ground. He wasn't moving, and I rushed over to him, not caring that I might have to get involved in the fight.

“Jordan, you have to get up. Please be okay.” He didn't stir, and my heart felt like it was falling out of my chest. “We can't end like this, I’m so sorry, Jordan. I was so stupid for rejecting you and hurting you. I was wrong, you're everything to me. You're the only mate I want. I'm so sorry for not seeing it sooner. You have to wake up. I love you, Jordan. I love you.” I shook him once more, and just as my eyes started to fill up with tears, I heard a groan.

“I'm awake, you can stop shaking me. I'm okay. I'm okay.”

“Thank Goddess," I felt instant relief, "Come on, let's get you seen by the doctor.”

“No, I’m good. I can feel myself healing. I just got stunned for a bit, and my leg is still bothering me after that last injury with the wolfsbane, but I'm okay.”

“You're sure?”

“100%...oh, and I love you, too.”

“You heard all of that?”

“Every last word.”

I felt a mixture of embarrassment and joy, but before we could do anything else, the cries of challenge went up, and the fighting stopped. We circled up with the crowd, and a sense of calm enveloped me. Now it was all up to Larkin.