The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

The quiet hum of Midnight Crest Tower's security system did little to soothe Lyra's nerves as she stood in the darkened war room, watching the surveillance feeds flicker across the screens. Each flicker, each distorted shadow, sent her senses into overdrive.

Ethan stood beside her, arms crossed, his face carved in stone. The Alpha's tension radiated off him in waves, his dark eyes locked onto the footage with a sharp, calculating gaze. Logan leaned against the table, chewing on his lip as he tapped through the security logs.

"They're inside," Amelia's voice crackled through the comms, tight with urgency. "Two unidentified figures, north entrance."

Lyra's pulse quickened. "That's too close."

Ethan nodded, his jaw clenched. "They've gotten past three layers of security without a trace."

Lyra swallowed hard, forcing the rising panic down. "They're not ordinary."

"No," Ethan said, his voice like steel. "They're here for you."

Lyra met his gaze, something unspoken passing between them—fear, frustration, and something deeper she wasn't ready to name. "Then let's not disappoint them."

Ethan's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're staying here."

Lyra bristled. "Not a chance."

Logan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I hate to agree with Mr. Control Freak over here, but you're the target, Lyra. Let us handle this."

Lyra narrowed her eyes. "I'm not going to sit here and let you all fight my battles."

Ethan's grip on the back of her chair tightened. "This isn't your decision."

Before she could argue, the war room doors burst open, and Amelia rushed in, her face pale. "They've breached the elevators."

"Damn it," Ethan growled. He turned to Logan. "Take your team and secure the lower floors. No one gets in."

Logan nodded, but his eyes lingered on Lyra. "You good?"

Lyra gave him a tight smile. "Never better."

As Logan disappeared down the hallway, Ethan turned back to her, stepping closer until they were nearly chest to chest. "Stay here." His voice was low, almost a plea.

Lyra's breath hitched, but she stood her ground. "I can't."

He searched her eyes, frustration flickering beneath the surface. "You're going to be the death of me."

She offered a ghost of a smile. "I already was."

Something flashed in his eyes—pain, regret—but before either of them could speak, the emergency alarm blared through the building.

Ethan's expression hardened. "They're here."

Midnight Crest Tower – Lower Levels

Lyra moved silently through the corridors, her heart pounding in rhythm with the distant sound of approaching footsteps. Ethan had gone ahead, leading the security team to intercept the intruders, but Lyra wasn't about to sit idly by.

Every instinct inside her screamed that something wasn't right.

A shadow flickered at the end of the hall, and Lyra ducked into an alcove, pressing herself against the wall. She slowed her breathing, straining her ears.

Then, a voice—low, familiar, and dripping with venom.

"I know you're here, Lyra."

Vivian.

Lyra's blood ran cold. Her former rival, her former pack sister, now an enemy lurking in the shadows like a viper.

Steeling herself, Lyra stepped out of the alcove. "You never knew when to quit, did you?"

Vivian emerged from the darkness, a cruel smile curling her lips. "And you never knew when to stay dead."

Lyra rolled her shoulders, trying to keep her voice steady. "I guess I have a habit of disappointing people."

Vivian's eyes gleamed. "You don't belong here anymore. Ethan might have been blinded by whatever feelings he had for you, but they won't be."

Lyra's fingers curled into fists. "Who's they, Vivian?"

Vivian tilted her head mockingly. "You'll find out soon enough."

Without warning, Vivian lunged, a silver dagger flashing in her hand. Lyra dodged just in time, the blade slicing through the air inches from her face.

Vivian was fast—too fast. But Lyra had fought her before, and she wasn't the same girl who had once hesitated in battle.

She countered, twisting Vivian's arm and slamming her against the wall, pinning her in place. "Tell me who you're working for."

Vivian laughed, dark and broken. "Even if I did, you wouldn't live long enough to stop them."

Ethan's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Step away from her."

Lyra glanced over her shoulder to see Ethan standing at the end of the hall, his expression murderous.

Vivian smirked. "Alpha."

Ethan's eyes never left Vivian. "You've made your last mistake."

Vivian's smirk didn't falter. "Oh, I doubt that."

Before Ethan could move, Vivian wrenched free, disappearing into the shadows.

Ethan cursed under his breath, storming forward and grabbing Lyra by the arm. "Are you insane?"

Lyra yanked her arm free. "She was mine to handle."

Ethan's nostrils flared. "Not anymore."

She stared up at him, defiant. "I'm not some fragile thing, Ethan."

His hands came up to cup her face, his grip firm yet careful. "You are to me."

The weight of his words settled between them, heavy and undeniable. For a moment, Lyra allowed herself to lean into his touch, to remember what it felt like to belong to him.

But reality came crashing back.

Footsteps echoed in the distance. Logan's voice came through the earpiece. "Ethan, we've got another problem. North entrance. More incoming."

Ethan pulled away, his expression shifting back to business. "Let's go."

Lyra nodded, falling into step beside him.

This was far from over. And the shadows were closing in.