The Alpha’s Eternal Mate

Lyra sat at the edge of her bed, staring at the message glowing on her phone screen. The words burned into her mind.

"You're getting too close. Stop digging."

The warning felt like a noose tightening around her throat. Someone knew what she was doing—someone powerful enough to monitor her movements inside Ethan's empire. She had been careful, but clearly, it wasn't enough.

Her fingers hovered over the screen, debating whether to show Ethan the message. But something inside her hesitated. If she revealed it too soon, he'd question her motives, and she couldn't afford for him to dig too deep—not yet.

With a frustrated sigh, she deleted the message and tossed the phone onto the nightstand. She needed time to think, to plan her next move carefully.

A knock at the door broke her thoughts.

She stood cautiously and crossed the room, opening it to find Logan leaning against the doorframe, his expression unreadable.

"You're working late," he commented, eyes flicking to the glow of her laptop in the background.

"I don't sleep much," Lyra replied, crossing her arms. "Something you needed?"

Logan's lips curled slightly. "The Alpha wants to see you. Now."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she nodded and grabbed her blazer, slipping it over her shoulders. As she followed Logan down the silent halls of Midnight Crest Tower, the tension in the air thickened with every step.

Ethan wasn't a man who called for late-night meetings without reason. And something told her tonight would be no exception.

Midnight Crest Tower – Ethan's Office

The office was dimly lit, with the faint glow of the city skyline casting long shadows across the room. Ethan stood near the window, his back to her, his posture as rigid as ever.

Lyra hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. "You wanted to see me?"

Ethan turned slowly, his dark eyes pinning her in place. "Sit."

She obeyed, lowering herself into the chair across from his massive desk. His gaze lingered on her, measuring, assessing.

"You've been busy," he finally said, voice low and controlled.

Lyra's fingers curled against her lap. "I told you I'd find out who's behind the stolen funds."

Ethan's lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. "And yet, someone seems to think you shouldn't."

Her stomach dropped. He knew.

"How long have you known?" she asked carefully.

Ethan leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping against the desk in a slow, deliberate rhythm. "Long enough. And I don't like surprises, Lyra."

She forced herself to hold his gaze. "Neither do I."

A beat of silence passed between them, heavy and charged. Ethan studied her with that same intense scrutiny, like he was peeling back the layers of who she was and searching for the truth beneath.

Finally, he spoke again. "Someone in this tower wants to keep things hidden. And you're poking in places you shouldn't."

Lyra's jaw tightened. "If you want me to stop, just say it."

Ethan's gaze darkened, something dangerous flickering behind his eyes. "No. I want you to keep going."

She blinked, taken aback. "What?"

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "I want you to draw them out."

Lyra swallowed hard. This wasn't what she had expected, but it made sense. Ethan had never been the type to shy away from confrontation—he preferred to lure his enemies in before striking.

"You want to use me as bait," she said flatly.

Ethan's lips curled in a slow, predatory smirk. "You're smarter than I thought."

Lyra's pulse quickened, but she kept her face neutral. "And what happens when they come for me?"

Ethan's gaze darkened further, his voice like ice. "They won't get that far."

The certainty in his tone sent a shiver down her spine. Despite everything, a part of her still felt safe in his presence. The same part that remembered the way he used to hold her, the way he used to protect her.

But that was then.

Now, she was on her own.

"I'll do it," she said, standing up. "But I'm not responsible for what happens next."

Ethan's eyes followed her movements, something unreadable flickering in them. "You never were."

Lyra turned to leave, but his voice stopped her at the door.

"One more thing," he said. "If you keep lying to me, you won't like the consequences."

She stiffened, not daring to look back. "Noted."

Then she walked out, feeling his gaze burn into her back the entire way.

Later That Night – Lyra's Suite

Lyra sat on the edge of her bed, her thoughts racing. Ethan was onto her. He might not know the whole truth yet, but he was getting closer. And now, she was tangled in something far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

She rubbed her temples, frustration building inside her. She had come here to get close to Ethan, to protect him from the threats lurking in the shadows. But the more she stayed, the more she realized just how much he had changed.

A buzz from her phone drew her attention.

Unknown Number: You should have left when you had the chance.

Lyra's grip tightened around the device, her pulse pounding. This wasn't just about money anymore. Whoever was behind this was watching her every move.

And she was running out of time.

With a determined breath, she stood up and crossed the room, grabbing her jacket. If Ethan wanted to use her as bait, fine. But she wasn't going to sit around and wait for the enemy to make the first move.

She was going to find them first.

And this time, she wasn't holding back.