The peace didn't last.
It never did.
One moment, Lyra stood on the balcony, the cool air brushing against her skin, the bond quiet for once—
And the next—
It snapped.
Violently.
Her breath caught as a sharp, searing pain shot through her chest. Not physical.
The bond.
Distorted.
Twisted.
Wrong.
"Kyle—" she gasped.
But the word never fully left her lips.
A shadow moved behind her.
Fast.
Silent.
Deadly.
A hand clamped over her mouth, another locking tightly around her waist.
Lyra struggled instantly, panic surging through her veins.
"Mmm—!"
"Quiet," a cold voice whispered against her ear. "Or this gets worse."
Her heart slammed violently against her ribs.
Rogues.
But not like before.
These felt… different.
Stronger.
Organized.
Prepared.
The bond screamed.
Loud.
Uncontrolled.
A pulse of energy surged from her, instinctive, wild—
But something blocked it.
A sharp sting pierced her neck.
Lyra's body froze.
Her strength drained instantly.
"No—" she tried to fight, but her limbs went weak.
Her vision blurred.
The last thing she felt—
Was the bond tearing.
Stretching.
Reaching desperately—
For them.
---
Kyle felt it first.
Like a blade straight through his chest.
His body went rigid.
"No."
Rowan turned instantly. "What—"
"It's her."
Azriel's expression darkened immediately. "Something's wrong."
The bond wasn't just pulsing.
It was screaming.
Pain.
Fear.
Distance.
And then—
Silence.
Kyle moved before either of them could react.
The balcony.
He knew.
He *felt* it.
---
The door slammed open.
Empty.
The cold air rushed in.
But Lyra—
Was gone.
For a split second—
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Because their minds refused to process it.
Then—
Kyle snapped.
The power that exploded from him shook the walls, raw Alpha dominance flooding the space with terrifying force.
"They took her."
His voice wasn't calm anymore.
It was deadly.
Rowan cursed violently, running a hand through his hair. "How the hell did this happen?!"
Azriel crouched near the edge of the balcony, his eyes scanning quickly.
"Not just rogues," he said, his tone sharp. "There's a scent block. Something stronger. Planned."
Kyle's fists clenched.
"They knew what they were doing."
"They knew *what she is*," Rowan corrected.
Silence fell again.
But this time—
It was different.
Dark.
Violent.
Unforgiving.
Kyle turned, his silver eyes glowing faintly now.
"Then we hunt them."
Rowan's lips pulled into a dangerous grin. "Finally."
Azriel stood slowly, his expression colder than either of them had ever seen.
"No," he said.
Both Kyle and Rowan looked at him.
"This isn't just a hunt," Azriel continued. "This is a war."
The word settled between them.
Heavy.
Final.
Kyle didn't hesitate.
"Then we burn everything in our path."
---
Miles away—
Lyra's eyes fluttered open.
Pain throbbed behind her head, her body heavy, unresponsive.
Cold stone pressed against her back.
Chains.
Her breath hitched slightly as she realized—
She was restrained.
The room was dark.
Silent.
But not empty.
A figure stood in the shadows.
Watching.
Waiting.
"Well," the voice echoed, smooth and chilling. "You're even more interesting than they said."
Lyra's heart pounded.
She tried to move—
The chains tightened instantly.
Restricting.
Suppressing.
Her power.
"Don't bother," the figure continued, stepping slightly into the dim light. "Those were made specifically for you."
Her stomach dropped.
"For… me?" she whispered.
The figure smiled faintly.
"Oh yes."
A pause.
Then—
"We've been looking for you for a very long time."
Lyra's chest tightened.
The bond—
It was faint now.
Distant.
But still there.
Still reaching.
Still trying.
"They'll come for you," she said, her voice stronger than she felt.
The figure tilted their head slightly.
"Of course they will."
Another step forward.
Closer.
Dangerous.
"That's the point."
Lyra's breath caught.
Realization hit.
Hard.
This wasn't just about her.
It was a trap.
And far away—
Three Alphas were already on their way.
Angry.
Desperate.
Ready to destroy everything.
And when they arrived—
There would be nothing left standing.