Lyra Dane.

Joseph's pup.

My mate.

The words kept replaying in my head as if I struggled to believe them. I had actually found her.

She was more beautiful than I would have ever imagined. Her soft curly hazelnut hair fell just past her shoulders, bringing focus on her big captivating emerald green eyes.

They had drawn me to her the second that my eyes had laid on her. She had a perfectly rounded face so full of mystery.

There was a lot about her that I was eager to learn. She appeared gentle and soft, with a fiery personality. I was proud to call her mine, my mate.

But she didn't trust me, and I didn't blame her after how my idiot members had forcefully taken her from her pack, which had now proven to be in my favour.

Her Wolf wanted mine, but Lyra was being difficult.

After she had mentioned my past, it had made me understand her feistiness a bit better. Gabriel had fed her lies and she had only heard about me killing Wolves. The thought was disappointing. She should have at least listened to her Wolf.

After I had given her some space, and myself some time to think through her words, I had returned back to her in her new room.

Instead of wearing the piece of ivory fabric dress, Lyra was now wearing a pair of grey joggers with an oversized cropped t-shirt that didn't reveal any skin. Even in such plain clothes, she appeared breath taking.

"Hello," I muttered, quickly taking my seat by the window.

I didn't want to leave her out of my sight, so I had brought my work from the office with me. Lyra didn't respond to my greeting, but I could feel her eyes on me.

To not make her feel uncomfortable, I decided to focus on the papers on my lap, flicking through the sheets.

When her gaze on me intensified, my Wolf purred and I couldn't hold myself together anymore.

Maybe something bothered her. "Do you need anything?"

A crimson red shade coated the paleness on her cheeks, and she quickly darted her gaze elsewhere, completely ignoring me once again.

I fought the urge to chuckle, knowing it wasn't the right mood for it. She infuriated me, but also brought light to my life.

"What is that?" she hesitantly asked, eyeing down at the papers on my lap.

I was surprised at her sudden interest in my pack affairs. It was a positive sign.

"Pack work. I have to look over these files every few days to make sure everything is running smoothly."

Her eyes remained on the papers for a few seconds before she nodded her head, as if she finally understood what I told her. I was proud of her already.

"Do you want to take a look?" I asked and returned my gaze back on the papers. "It would be a good start as the Luna."

My Wolf purred in happiness as the word exited my mouth.

Although, I hadn't really pondered on the idea of having a mate, the reality of having one made me realise why Wolves were so eager to find their other half. I wanted Lyra all the time, even if I had just met her.

She was mine. And the thought of sharing her with another Alpha, not to mention my enemy, brought a sour taste to my mouth.

When a loud knock echoed in the room, I snapped my gaze up at the presence of my beta. I had felt him before he had knocked, so I wasn't surprised to see him.

"What is it?"

Dyami's gaze was hard. "Wolves. Three Wolves from Pale Moon have trespassed. We have them captured."

'Two boys and a girl.' He further explained, mind-linking me.

His words caused me to abandon the chair that I had been sitting on. "What! Why did you not tell me sooner?"

Dyami's brows furrowed and he bowed slightly. "I tried to mind-link you but you had me shut out."

I had blocked everyone out after Lyra's words had struck my mind. "I see. Did anything happen that I should be aware of?"

"One of our recently turned pups was hurt, but other than that, everyone else are alright."

'What was the pup doing there?'

'The new pups were doing rounds. It's their training day.'

'Where are the captured Wolves?'

'Underground. They are strong so we put them in the highest protection cells.'

'Did they say why they are here?'

'They said something about her, Joseph's pup.'

His words awakened the Wolf in me and I growled lowly at Dyami's words. I needed to see them myself. How dare they mention my mate.

"I understand. I will be with you shortly," I dismissed my beta.

'I will wait for you outside.'

With a quick bow from Dyami, the boy was out of the door.

Turning my gaze to the person that I wanted to protect with every cell in my body, I walked until I was right before her.

"I know you are not ecstatic about being here, but you need to listen to me right now."

She didn't respond, but eyed me carefully.

"Wolves trespassing my land means they are a possible threat. I cannot and I will not let you be in a position where you could get hurt."

Something flashed in her eyes, she seemed concerned one minute and confused the next, but she remained silent. I could feel her Wolf, and I had to stop myself from pulling her closer to me.

"You will stay here until I get back, Lyra," I told her, eyeing her cautiously.

She needed to understand the importance of my words. I couldn't protect her if she wasn't in the pack house.

"I have just found you and cannot risk losing you already."

She glanced around before turning to speak. "Will I be safe here?"

Her question caught me off guard. As if I would let anything happen to her, but I simply nodded hoping it would bring her some comfort.

"I would not leave you here if I did not deem it safe," I promised her.

Lyra remained silent, and I could almost see the internal battle she was having with herself. It seemed as if she wanted to say something but held herself back. It annoyed my Wolf, but I didn't want my mate to feel uncomfortable.

It already annoyed me that she was also mated to Gabriel. How was that even possible? Wolves struggled with one mate, yet mine had two. Even the thought didn't make sense.

Then I recalled how Gabriel had fed her lies, maybe this was another lie of his. I had to confirm with my mate and was praying that was the case.

"We will talk when I get back. There is a lot you want to hear from my side and I also want to know more about your relationship with that loser."

The presence of my mate before me made me realise how lucky I was in that moment. I appreciated every part of her and the way she was glancing up at me in her small figure made me want to protect her all that more.

I gently placed my palm on her face, feeling of ecstasy coursing throughout my body at the small touch.

"I want you to know that you are safe here," I told her, softly. "You're not the enemy, you never will be. The pack will love you as their Luna."

She glanced at me with confusion on her face, but didn't reply. I could feel her Wolf at bay, and I knew she wanted to dominate, but my little perfect mate did not grant it.

"Wait for me. I will return to you," I told her, letting my thumbs stroke her soft skin.

'Alexander.'

At Dyami's words, I realised that I needed to hurry.

Without uttering another word, I pulled my mate closer to me and let my lips cover hers gently. It was a quick, but much needed kiss.

The electrical current that radiated at the small gesture made me want to stay with her and claim her, but I knew staying with her could put her at risk. I would return back to her when I had dealt with the enemy.

And with that, I darted out of the room.