The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

Lyra stood by the floor-to-ceiling window of Ethan's office, gazing at the sprawling city bathed in the early morning light. Her reflection stared back at her—eyes shadowed, lips pressed into a thin line, tension radiating from every inch of her body. The events of the previous night played on a loop in her mind: the ambush, the Blood Pact's words, and Ethan's unrelenting fury.

She knew now, without a doubt, that they wouldn't stop until they had her. And she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep running.

Behind her, Ethan's presence filled the room, silent but potent. She could feel his gaze on her, the weight of it pressing against her back like a protective barrier.

"You should be resting," he said, his voice low and gruff.

Lyra's lips curled in a humorless smile. "So should you."

Ethan sighed, stepping closer. "Lyra…"

She turned to face him, arms crossed tightly over her chest. "I'm fine, Ethan. We both know rest isn't going to make this go away."

His jaw clenched, frustration flickering in his dark eyes. "No, but it'll keep you from falling apart when it matters most."

Lyra swallowed, looking away. "I don't have the luxury of falling apart."

Ethan moved closer, standing inches from her. "You don't have to do this alone."

The vulnerability in his voice nearly broke her resolve, but she couldn't afford to let it show. Instead, she took a slow, steady breath and forced herself to meet his gaze. "We need a plan."

Ethan studied her for a long moment before nodding. "We do."

Midnight Crest Tower – War Room

The atmosphere in the war room was thick with tension as Logan, Amelia, and a handful of Ethan's most trusted pack members gathered around the large table. Screens displayed the security footage from the attack, flickering images of masked figures slipping through the shadows with practiced ease.

"They didn't come to kill," Logan said, his fingers tapping restlessly on the table. "They came to send a message."

Lyra nodded, her expression tight. "They want me to know they're watching."

Ethan's gaze was locked onto the screen, his body coiled with barely restrained rage. "Then let's give them something to watch."

Amelia leaned forward. "You're suggesting a trap?"

Ethan nodded. "We make it look like we're vulnerable. Draw them in. And this time, we finish it."

Logan arched a brow. "Sounds risky."

Ethan's voice was cold. "It always is."

Lyra placed her hands on the table, her eyes scanning the blueprints of the tower laid out before them. "We need to control the playing field. The rooftop wasn't enough. We lure them into the lower levels—force them into a contained space where they have no escape."

Ethan's lips twitched slightly. "You sound like you've done this before."

Lyra met his gaze. "Let's just say I've learned a thing or two."

Logan smirked. "Alright, so we turn the tower into a trap. What's next?"

Ethan's eyes darkened. "We make sure they don't walk out."

Silence followed his words, heavy and absolute.

Lyra exhaled slowly. "We'll need to be smart about it. If they're tracking me, they know my movements."

Amelia nodded, pulling up another set of schematics. "Then we use that against them."

Ethan turned to Lyra, his expression softer for just a moment. "Are you sure about this?"

Lyra lifted her chin. "I have to be."

Later That Night – Ethan's Suite

Lyra sat on the couch in Ethan's suite, nursing a glass of water, her thoughts far away. The plan was in place, and everyone was ready, but she couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking into something far more dangerous than they realized.

Ethan entered the room, his movements quiet, but she felt him nonetheless. He sat down beside her, his presence a steady warmth in the otherwise cold room.

"You're quiet," he said after a moment.

Lyra stared into her glass. "Just thinking."

Ethan leaned back, studying her. "About?"

She sighed, resting her head against the back of the couch. "About what happens after this."

Ethan's brow furrowed. "We survive."

Lyra let out a soft laugh. "You always make it sound so simple."

He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "Because it is."

Lyra turned to look at him, the intensity in his gaze almost overwhelming. "And what if we don't?"

Ethan's grip tightened slightly. "Then I'll make sure you do."

A lump formed in her throat. She hated the way he could make her feel safe, even when everything around them was falling apart. She hated how much she still needed him.

"I never wanted to put you in danger," she whispered.

Ethan's thumb brushed over her knuckles. "You didn't. I chose this."

Lyra searched his face, finding only honesty there. "Even after everything?"

He smiled, the rare, genuine kind that made her chest ache. "Especially after everything."

For a moment, they simply sat there, the weight of their past and present intertwining in the silence.

Then, a soft buzz broke the moment. Ethan glanced at his phone, his expression shifting instantly to one of tension.

"They're moving."

Lyra stood, her heart pounding. "Then let's finish this."

Midnight Crest Tower – Lower Levels

The dimly lit corridors of the lower levels felt like a maze, the air thick with anticipation. Lyra moved silently beside Ethan, her senses heightened, every sound magnified.

Ethan's pack was stationed throughout the area, hidden in the shadows, waiting. Lyra's heart pounded in her chest, but her expression remained calm, focused.

Then, it happened.

A distant metallic clang echoed through the hall, followed by the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. Lyra tensed, instinct taking over.

Ethan's voice came through her earpiece. "Hold your position."

She nodded, pressing herself against the cold concrete wall, her breath steady. The footsteps grew louder, and soon, dark figures emerged from the shadows.

The Blood Pact.

Lyra's fingers twitched at her sides, ready to fight. Ethan's presence was like a wall beside her, solid and unwavering.

As the intruders moved further in, Ethan gave the signal.

"Now."

The room erupted into chaos. Pack members leapt from their hiding spots, clashing with the intruders in a blur of movement. Lyra darted forward, landing a swift strike on the nearest opponent. Her heart raced, but she didn't hesitate.

Ethan was a force of nature beside her, taking down enemies with brutal efficiency. But the Blood Pact fought back hard, their moves calculated and precise.

In the chaos, Lyra locked eyes with one of them—someone familiar. The masked figure hesitated just a fraction too long before attacking.

Lyra dodged, grabbing his arm and pulling down his mask.

Her breath caught in her throat.

It was someone she knew.

Someone from her past.

Before she could react, he whispered, "It's too late."

And then he was gone.

Lyra stood frozen for a moment, Ethan's voice breaking through. "Lyra!"

She snapped back to reality, but the truth hit her hard.

This wasn't just an attack.

It was a warning.

And she wasn't sure they could survive what was coming next.