The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

The city stretched beneath them, glowing in the darkness like a restless beast, but all Lyra could think about was the ghost of Damien's presence lingering in the air. Even after he had disappeared into the night, she could still feel the weight of his words pressing down on her chest like a vice.

Ethan stood beside her, his jaw tight, his fists still clenched at his sides. The tension in his body was palpable, radiating off him in waves. She could feel it like a second heartbeat, thrumming between them.

"We should get inside," he said, his voice low and controlled, but Lyra could hear the storm brewing beneath it.

Lyra exhaled slowly, nodding. "Yeah."

But even as they stepped back into the warmth of Midnight Crest Tower, she couldn't shake the unease settling deep in her bones.

Midnight Crest Tower – War Room

Lyra sat at the long table, staring at the holographic city map projected in front of her. Logan, Amelia, and the other high-ranking members of the pack were gathered around, their faces grim. Ethan paced behind her, the steady rhythm of his footsteps an audible reminder of the weight pressing down on all of them.

"So, Damien," Logan said, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed. "Didn't see that one coming."

Lyra's throat tightened. "Neither did I."

Ethan's voice was a low growl. "He's working with the Blood Pact. That's all we need to know."

Lyra looked up at him, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "It's not that simple, Ethan."

He stopped pacing, turning to face her. "It is. He's a threat, Lyra."

Lyra shook her head. "He wasn't always."

Ethan's jaw twitched, and she could see the battle waging inside him—logic versus emotion, the constant struggle between duty and the past.

"He's been alive all this time," she continued, her voice softer now. "Why now? Why come back now?"

Logan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I hate to say it, but does it matter? If the Blood Pact brought him back, it's not for a friendly reunion."

Amelia tapped a few keys on her tablet, frowning at the data scrolling across the screen. "Lyra might be right, though. If Damien's been alive this whole time, they must have kept him hidden for a reason."

Ethan's gaze didn't waver. "And now they're using him to get to her."

Lyra swallowed hard. "I need to talk to him."

Ethan's reaction was immediate, his body stiffening, his eyes flashing with something dark. "Absolutely not."

Lyra held his gaze. "We don't have another choice. If I can get through to him, we might be able to find out what they want—why they need me."

Ethan took a slow step closer, lowering his voice. "You don't get it, Lyra. He's not the same wolf you remember. He's dangerous."

Lyra's expression hardened. "So am I."

Ethan's nostrils flared, but before he could argue further, Amelia interrupted. "We might not have to find him."

Everyone's eyes snapped to her as she turned the monitor around. "Because he's already found us."

Lyra's stomach dropped as she stared at the live security feed. Damien stood outside Midnight Crest Tower, hands in his pockets, staring directly into the camera with an infuriating smirk on his face.

Ethan cursed under his breath. "Son of a—"

Lyra stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "Let me talk to him."

Ethan stepped in front of her. "Lyra, no."

She met his gaze, determination burning in her eyes. "You can't protect me from this, Ethan. I have to do this."

His lips pressed into a thin line, his muscles coiled with tension. "Fine," he said finally. "But I'm coming with you."

Lyra nodded, relief flooding through her.

Outside Midnight Crest Tower

The air was thick with the scent of rain and asphalt as Lyra stepped out onto the dimly lit street. Damien stood leaning casually against a lamppost, his eyes gleaming under the flickering neon lights.

Ethan was a solid presence beside her, his posture rigid, ready to strike at a moment's notice.

Damien's smirk widened as they approached. "Didn't think you'd actually come."

Lyra crossed her arms, keeping her expression cool. "You wanted to talk. So talk."

Damien's gaze slid to Ethan, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Relax, Alpha. I'm not here to fight."

Ethan's voice was ice. "Pity. I was hoping for an excuse."

Lyra shot Ethan a warning glance before turning back to Damien. "What do you want?"

Damien's expression sobered slightly. "To warn you."

Lyra's brow furrowed. "About what?"

He stepped closer, and Ethan moved instinctively to block him, but Lyra held out a hand. "Let him speak."

Damien's gaze locked onto hers. "The Blood Pact isn't going to stop. They've been searching for you for centuries, Lyra. And now that they've found you, they won't stop until they have what they came for."

Lyra's heart pounded. "And what exactly do they want?"

Damien's lips pressed into a thin line. "Your blood."

Ethan stiffened beside her. "What?"

Damien glanced at him. "She's the last of the Crescent Line. Her blood carries power that could change everything." He looked back at Lyra, his voice softer now. "They want to use it. To control it."

Lyra swallowed hard, the truth sinking in. "And you're helping them?"

Damien's gaze darkened. "I didn't have a choice."

Ethan's patience snapped. "There's always a choice."

Damien's smirk returned, though it lacked its usual arrogance. "You're right. And I'm making mine now."

Lyra frowned. "What do you mean?"

He stepped back, his expression unreadable. "I'm giving you a head start. Get out of here, Lyra. Run. Because next time we meet, I won't be able to hold them back."

Ethan growled. "Like hell she's running."

Lyra held up a hand. "Why are you doing this?"

Damien's eyes softened, just for a moment. "Because once, I would have died for you. And maybe some part of me still would."

And with that, he disappeared into the night.

Lyra stood there, her heart racing, Ethan's warm hand steadying her shoulder.

"We're not running," Ethan said firmly.

Lyra looked up at him, resolve burning in her chest. "No. We fight."

Ethan's eyes softened as he pulled her into him, his voice a whisper against her ear. "Then we fight together."

And for the first time in a long time, Lyra felt like she wasn't facing the darkness alone.