The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

Three nights. That's all they had.

Lyra stood on the balcony of Midnight Crest Tower, the cool breeze rustling through her hair as she stared out over the city bathed in the glow of streetlights. The weight of what was coming pressed heavily on her chest, the burden of hope mixed with the fear of what she might find.

Behind her, the steady sound of footsteps signaled Ethan's approach. She didn't turn, knowing his presence by the way the air shifted around him. He stopped beside her, resting his hands on the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"You're thinking too much," he said softly.

Lyra let out a quiet laugh, though it lacked humor. "I have a lot to think about."

Ethan's eyes darkened. "I know." He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But you're not facing this alone."

She met his gaze, the intensity of it making her chest tighten. "I don't want you to get hurt because of me."

Ethan's lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. "Too late for that."

Lyra sighed, leaning against the railing. "I keep wondering… if she's alive, if everything I thought I lost isn't really gone—what does that mean for me? For us?"

Ethan didn't answer right away. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and certain. "It means we fight to get it back."

Lyra nodded, swallowing hard. "I hope it's that simple."

"It won't be," he admitted, his hand brushing lightly over hers. "But we'll figure it out."

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them a fragile thing, ready to shatter at any second.

Then Logan's voice came through the comms, breaking the quiet. "Lyra, Ethan. We've got something."

Lyra and Ethan exchanged a glance before heading back inside.

Midnight Crest Tower – War Room

The room was buzzing with quiet urgency. Screens displayed maps of the abandoned fortress outside the city—an old, forgotten place now being used by the Blood Pact for their ritual.

Logan gestured toward one of the screens. "We got surveillance footage from our contact inside the Pact. It's not great, but it's enough to confirm that they're holding someone."

Lyra's breath caught. "Her?"

Amelia leaned forward, enhancing the grainy image. It showed a figure, cloaked and chained, surrounded by guards. "It's hard to tell, but if I had to guess… it's her."

Ethan's gaze hardened. "Then we move in before they finish whatever they're planning."

Lyra nodded. "Agreed."

Logan frowned. "They'll be expecting us. This isn't going to be a simple in-and-out."

Lyra straightened. "I don't care. If my mother is in there, I'm getting her out."

Ethan glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "We'll do it right. No unnecessary risks."

Lyra met his gaze. "You're always so careful, Ethan. But this time, I need you to trust me."

His jaw clenched, but after a moment, he nodded. "Fine. But you stay by my side the entire time."

Logan sighed. "Alright, lovebirds. Let's focus. We have a layout of the fortress, but it's incomplete. There could be hidden passages we don't know about."

Amelia tapped a few keys on her laptop. "We'll need a diversion at the main entrance while Lyra and Ethan get inside through the eastern wing."

Logan grinned. "I love being a distraction."

Ethan gave him a warning look. "Just don't get yourself killed."

Lyra rolled her shoulders, preparing herself mentally. "Let's move."

Outside the Blood Pact Fortress

The fortress loomed ahead, its stone walls cracked with age but still standing strong. Moonlight cast eerie shadows across the ancient structure, and the distant howls of wolves echoed through the night.

Lyra crouched beside Ethan in the dense underbrush, her heart racing as she watched Logan's team move toward the main entrance. The plan was simple—create enough chaos to draw the guards away while she and Ethan slipped inside.

Logan's voice came through the earpiece. "We're in position. Give me the go."

Ethan glanced at Lyra, his eyes searching hers. "You ready?"

Lyra exhaled slowly, gripping the dagger strapped to her thigh. "Let's do this."

Ethan pressed his earpiece. "Go."

Almost instantly, a series of explosions erupted near the main gate, followed by shouting and gunfire. Lyra and Ethan moved swiftly, using the distraction to their advantage.

They slipped through a narrow side passage, Ethan taking the lead with deadly precision. Lyra followed closely, her senses heightened, every nerve in her body on edge.

Inside, the fortress was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of damp stone and something darker—something sinister.

Lyra's heart pounded. "She's here. I can feel it."

Ethan nodded, his eyes scanning the corridors ahead. "Stay close."

They moved silently through the labyrinthine hallways, avoiding patrols with practiced ease. The further they went, the heavier the air felt, the weight of dark magic pressing against Lyra's skin.

Finally, they reached the chamber Nathaniel had described. Lyra's breath caught in her throat.

There, bound by thick silver chains, was a woman—her face obscured by a dark hood, her frail body trembling.

"Mom," Lyra whispered, rushing forward.

Ethan grabbed her arm. "Careful."

Lyra ignored him, falling to her knees in front of the chained figure. With trembling hands, she lifted the hood.

Her breath hitched. The face beneath was familiar yet aged, her mother's once bright eyes now dull and weary.

Tears welled in Lyra's eyes. "Mom, it's me."

The woman blinked slowly, her gaze focusing. "Lyra…" Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper.

Lyra's heart shattered. "I'm here. I'm taking you home."

Before she could move to free her, a slow clap echoed through the chamber.

Lyra spun, her stomach sinking as Damien stepped out of the shadows, flanked by Blood Pact guards.

"Well, well," he drawled, his smirk infuriating. "Looks like the prodigal daughter finally found what she was looking for."

Ethan stepped in front of Lyra, his eyes blazing with fury. "Move, or I'll rip your throat out."

Damien chuckled. "Now, now, Alpha. Let's not ruin the reunion."

Lyra's hands clenched into fists. "What do you want, Damien?"

He tilted his head. "It's not about what I want, Lyra. It's about what they want." He gestured to the shadows behind him. "And they want you."

Ethan growled. "Over my dead body."

Damien's eyes glinted with something dangerous. "That can be arranged."

The guards moved in, and the battle began.

Lyra grabbed her mother's hands, tears streaming down her face. "Hold on, Mom. We're getting out of here."

But deep down, she knew the fight had only just begun.