The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

Lyra sat in silence, her thoughts racing as the weight of Nathaniel's revelation settled in her chest like a lead stone. Her mother—alive. The idea was both impossible and terrifying. If the Blood Pact had truly kept her mother hidden all these years, then everything she believed about her past was a lie.

Ethan sat across from her in his office, his gaze steady, unwavering. He hadn't spoken much since Nathaniel's interrogation, but Lyra could feel his concern in every glance, every protective gesture.

"We need to move soon," he finally said, his voice quiet but firm.

Lyra nodded slowly, staring down at her trembling hands. "I know."

Ethan reached across the desk, his fingers brushing against hers. "Are you ready for this?"

She met his gaze, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "I don't think I'll ever be ready, Ethan. If she's really alive... I don't even know what I'd say to her."

Ethan's grip tightened slightly. "Then we focus on getting to her first. Before they can use her against you."

Lyra exhaled, trying to steady her heartbeat. "Nathaniel said there's a gathering outside the city. That has to be where they're keeping her."

Ethan nodded. "We'll scout it tonight. Logan's already putting together a team."

Lyra pushed herself to her feet, pacing the length of the room. "What if it's a trap?"

Ethan stood, stepping in front of her, forcing her to meet his gaze. "Then we fight our way out. But we're not letting this opportunity pass."

Lyra swallowed hard, nodding. "I need to do this."

Ethan studied her, his expression softening for just a moment. "Then we do it together."

Later That Night – En Route to the Gathering Site

The convoy of black SUVs cut through the darkness, their headlights piercing the thick fog that clung to the narrow country roads. Lyra sat in the passenger seat beside Ethan, her gaze fixed on the shadowy forest stretching on either side.

Logan's voice crackled over the comms. "We're five minutes out. No movement so far."

Ethan's hands tightened on the wheel, his eyes scanning the road ahead. "Stay alert. This feels too easy."

Lyra swallowed, her pulse thrumming in her ears. The anticipation coiled inside her like a spring, and no matter how much she tried to steady her breathing, the gnawing anxiety remained.

"If she's really there," she murmured, staring out the window, "I don't even know what I'll find."

Ethan's voice was low but reassuring. "We'll face it together."

A flicker of warmth touched her heart, but it was fleeting, drowned out by the fear clawing at her chest.

The SUVs slowed as they approached the designated coordinates. The old ruins of what once had been a chapel stood silent and foreboding in the moonlight, the crumbling stones covered in ivy and darkness.

Logan's voice came again. "Perimeter check. I see no guards."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's not a good sign."

Lyra unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door, stepping out into the cool night air. The scent of damp earth and moss filled her nostrils, and she shivered despite herself.

"Let's move," Ethan ordered, signaling to the team to fan out.

Lyra walked cautiously alongside him, her heart hammering against her ribs. The ruins loomed ahead, and she could almost hear the whispers of the past in the wind.

Inside the Ruins

The air inside the crumbling chapel was thick with dust and decay. Lyra stepped carefully over the broken stone slabs, her eyes scanning the darkness for any signs of movement.

Ethan stayed close, his presence a steady anchor in the swirling storm of emotions inside her.

Suddenly, Logan's voice came through the comms, sharp and urgent. "We found something. Lower level, northeast side."

Lyra exchanged a glance with Ethan before moving swiftly in the direction Logan had indicated.

When they arrived, Logan stood by a broken archway leading down into what appeared to be an underground chamber. He gestured with his flashlight. "You're gonna want to see this."

Lyra descended the worn stone steps, each one bringing her deeper into the shadows. As they reached the bottom, her breath caught in her throat.

Chains.

Heavy, silver-laced chains lay scattered across the damp floor, their metallic scent thick in the air. And in the center of the room, a faded cloak—one she recognized immediately.

Her mother's.

Lyra's knees threatened to give out, but Ethan's hand was there, steadying her. "It's hers." Her voice trembled with disbelief.

Ethan knelt beside the cloak, his eyes scanning the symbols etched into the ground. "They've been holding someone here, recently."

Lyra reached out, fingers brushing against the worn fabric. "She was here," she whispered, tears threatening to spill over.

Logan paced the perimeter, his jaw tight. "If they moved her, it means they knew we were coming."

Lyra swallowed hard, forcing herself to focus. "We need to figure out where they took her."

Ethan stood, his expression dark and unreadable. "We will."

But before anyone could move, a low, menacing growl echoed through the chamber. Lyra froze, every instinct screaming at her as the shadows shifted.

Figures emerged from the darkness—Blood Pact wolves, their eyes glowing with predatory intent.

Ethan stepped in front of her, his voice a dangerous growl. "Stay behind me."

Lyra's fingers curled around the hilt of her dagger. "Not a chance."

The first wolf lunged, and the fight began.

The Battle Beneath the Chapel

Chaos erupted as claws clashed with steel, and the air filled with the sounds of snarls and grunts. Lyra dodged an incoming strike, her blade slicing through the enemy's arm, blood spraying across the damp stones.

Ethan fought beside her, his strength a force of nature, cutting through their attackers with ruthless efficiency.

But the Blood Pact had come prepared. More figures spilled into the chamber, their movements coordinated and deadly.

Logan cursed through the comms. "We're getting outnumbered here!"

Lyra barely had time to react before a sharp force slammed into her from behind, sending her sprawling across the cold floor.

She groaned, blinking away the dizziness, only to see Damien standing over her.

"Miss me?" he smirked, his boot pressing against her chest.

Lyra glared up at him, twisting under his hold. "Get off me."

Damien leaned down, his voice dangerously soft. "You should've listened, Lyra. They're always watching."

Before he could say more, Ethan's fist connected with his jaw, sending Damien flying across the chamber.

Ethan pulled Lyra to her feet, his eyes dark with rage. "We're leaving. Now."

Lyra hesitated, looking back at the abandoned cloak.

"We'll find her," Ethan promised, gripping her hand tightly.

She nodded, steeling herself as they fought their way back to the surface.

Tonight, they had lost the battle.

But the war was far from over.