The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

The air inside Midnight Crest Tower was thick with tension. Lyra paced back and forth in Ethan's office, her mind racing with Damien's warning. The Blood Pact was coming for her—no more waiting, no more shadows. The clock was ticking, and every moment that passed brought them closer to an inevitable confrontation.

Ethan sat at his desk, watching her with a brooding expression, his fingers steepled under his chin. "Running isn't an option," he said, his voice low but firm. "We need to face them head-on."

Lyra stopped pacing, turning to face him. "We don't even know how many of them there are, Ethan. Or what they're planning."

Ethan leaned forward, his dark eyes locked onto hers. "Then we find out."

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation, and Logan strode in, his face grim. "We've got a problem."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Bigger than the one we're already dealing with?"

Logan nodded, tossing a tablet onto the desk. "We traced Damien's movements after he left. He didn't go far. He's been meeting with someone—someone high up in the Pact's ranks."

Lyra grabbed the tablet, scanning the grainy security footage. A chill ran down her spine as she recognized the face of the woman standing beside Damien.

"Vivian," she whispered.

Ethan's expression darkened instantly. "Of course, it's her."

Vivian—ruthless, cunning, and one of the few who had always harbored a personal grudge against Lyra. She had been a thorn in her side a thousand years ago, and apparently, some things never changed.

Logan sighed. "Looks like she's running the show now. And if Damien's involved, we're in for one hell of a fight."

Lyra clenched her fists. "We need to strike first."

Ethan stood, his powerful presence filling the room. "We will. But we do this on our terms."

Midnight Crest Tower – War Room

The war room buzzed with energy as Ethan's top warriors gathered around the table. Blueprints of the tower were spread out, along with maps of the city and intel gathered from their spies. Lyra stood beside Ethan, her hands resting on the edge of the table, scanning every detail.

"We need to assume they have people inside," Logan said, gesturing to key access points. "Security checks haven't flagged anything suspicious, but the Blood Pact doesn't play by the rules."

Ethan nodded. "We tighten our defenses. No one gets in or out without my say."

Amelia, tapping away on her laptop, glanced up. "I've been monitoring their communications. They're planning something big, but the exact details are still encrypted."

Lyra's gaze darkened. "Damien said they wanted my blood. What if this isn't just about me?"

Ethan's eyes met hers, his expression unreadable. "Then we make sure they don't get close enough to find out."

She swallowed hard. "And if they do?"

Ethan's voice was steel. "Then we kill every last one of them."

Silence fell over the room, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

Lyra nodded slowly. "Then let's make sure we're ready."

Training Grounds – Midnight Crest Tower

Lyra stood in the center of the training ring, sweat dripping down her brow as she faced off against Logan. He moved with deadly precision, his attacks relentless, but she met each one with equal force. Her muscles burned, but she pushed harder, faster. She needed to be ready.

Logan grinned as he ducked under one of her kicks. "You're getting better."

Lyra smirked, feinting left before landing a solid punch to his side. "I've always been better."

Logan stumbled back, rubbing his ribs. "Damn, remind me never to piss you off."

Ethan's voice cut through the training room. "She's not here to joke around."

Lyra turned to see him watching from the sidelines, his arms crossed, his eyes hard.

She stepped out of the ring, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from her face. "You could at least pretend to be impressed."

Ethan walked toward her, his gaze intense. "I'll be impressed when you're standing over their bodies."

Lyra held his gaze, the weight of his words settling in her chest. "I will be."

Ethan's eyes softened just a fraction before he reached out, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. "I know."

The moment stretched between them, charged and heavy with unspoken emotions.

Before Lyra could say anything, Logan cleared his throat. "Uh, not to interrupt the moment, but we've got company."

Ethan snapped back to focus. "Who?"

"Scouts," Logan said grimly. "Blood Pact. They're testing our defenses."

Lyra clenched her fists. "Then let's show them we're not afraid."

Ethan's gaze darkened. "They'll regret stepping foot in my territory."

The Ambush – City Outskirts

The night air was thick with tension as Lyra crouched behind a stack of abandoned crates, her pulse steady, her breathing controlled. Ethan's team moved like shadows, surrounding the group of Blood Pact scouts that had dared to enter their city.

Through the darkness, she could see Damien standing at the center of the group, his gaze sweeping the area as if he knew they were being watched.

Ethan's voice came through her earpiece. "On my signal."

Lyra's grip tightened around her blade, her heart hammering in anticipation. This was it—the moment they took control.

Ethan's voice was low and lethal. "Now."

They moved as one, wolves emerging from the shadows with deadly precision. Lyra sprang forward, taking down the first enemy in a blur of movement.

Damien's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything else disappeared.

"Lyra," he murmured, stepping toward her, his expression unreadable.

She didn't hesitate. She lunged, blade flashing, but Damien was faster. He caught her wrist, twisting it with ease, pulling her close.

"I told you to run," he whispered.

Lyra wrenched free, landing a punch to his jaw. "I don't run."

Damien wiped the blood from his lip, smirking. "No, you don't."

Ethan appeared beside her, his presence a wall of strength. "Get your hands off her."

Damien's eyes flickered with amusement. "Always the hero."

Ethan didn't wait for a response—he struck, and the fight erupted once more.

But deep down, Lyra knew this was just the beginning.

Because Damien wasn't just an enemy.

He was a warning of what was to come.

And she wasn't sure they were ready.