MATED TO THE BEAST ALPHA BROTHERS

"You think you're so special, don't you, little wolf?"

The voice rang out, sharp and taunting, cutting through the stillness of the grand hall. Haelyn turned from the window, her jaw tightening as her eyes landed on Lyra. She wasn't alone. Two other women followed close behind her, their postures just as arrogant.

Lyra's crimson lips curled into a malicious smile, her tone dripping with venom. "Standing there like you own this place, like you're someone important. Let me remind you…Archer belongs to us. You? You're just a temporary amusement."

Haelyn straightened her shoulders, her expression calm but her wolf stirring inside her. "Are you done?"

"Not even close," Lyra sneered, stepping closer with her entourage. "Do you really think you'll last here? Archer will never choose you to be his Luna. You don't have what it takes. You're weak. A little orphan pretending to be part of something bigger."

The other concubines snickered, their voices laced with mockery. "You're just a placeholder," one of them added. "We've seen so many like you. They all think they're special until Archer tosses them aside."

Haelyn's lips twitched with the urge to snap back, but she kept her tone even. "If Archer means so much to you, you can have him. I'm not interested in playing these ridiculous games."

Lyra's laughter echoed through the hall, full of mockery and malice. "Oh, is that what you tell yourself? Or is it because you've already found someone else to keep your bed warm? Someone like Artemis, perhaps?"

Haelyn froze, her heart skipping a beat. Her calm facade cracked as she stared at Lyra, her mind racing. "What did you just say?"

Lyra's smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with triumph. "Oh, don't play dumb. You think no one noticed you sneaking around the east wing that night? You're not as clever as you think, Haelyn. Secrets like that don't stay hidden for long."

Panic gripped Haelyn's chest, but she forced herself to stay composed. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" Lyra purred, stepping closer until she was inches away. "You should be more careful. If Archer knew what you've been up to, he wouldn't just throw you out…he'd destroy you."

Haelyn's hand moved on instinct, the sharp sound of the slap reverberating through the room. Lyra's head snapped to the side, her smug expression faltering as she stared at Haelyn in shock.

"You've said enough," Haelyn snapped, her voice shaking with anger. "I'm still your Luna, whether you like it or not. And there's nothing you can do about it."

Lyra recovered quickly, her eyes narrowing as she raised a hand to strike back. But before she could make contact, a deep, commanding voice interrupted.

"That's enough."

The concubines turned, their expressions shifting to fear as Artemis entered the room. His presence was like a storm, his icy gaze locking onto Lyra.

Lyra hesitated, her bravado shrinking under his scrutiny. "Artemis, we were just…"

"Leave," Artemis said coldly, his tone brooking no argument.

"But…"

"Now."

The other women grabbed Lyra's arm, pulling her back as they retreated, though Lyra shot Haelyn a venomous glare before disappearing through the doors.

As soon as they were gone, Haelyn let out a shaky breath. The panic she'd suppressed surged forward, and she turned to Artemis, her voice trembling. "She knows."

Artemis frowned, stepping closer. "Knows what?"

Haelyn began pacing, her movements frantic. "About that night. She saw something….or someone told her. Artemis, if she tells Archer…"

"She won't," Artemis interrupted, his tone calm but firm.

"How can you be so sure?" Haelyn asked, her panic mounting. "If Archer finds out…"

"Haelyn," Artemis said sharply, gripping her shoulders to still her. "Breathe. She's trying to rattle you. Don't let her win."

Her wide eyes met his, and for a moment, the fear in them softened. "You don't understand. If this gets out, it'll ruin everything."

Artemis sighed, his expression softening. "I'll handle it. You're not alone in this. Trust me."

Haelyn stared at him, her lips parting as if to argue, but she stopped herself. With a reluctant nod, she stepped back, her hands trembling at her sides.

—----------

Lyra sat at her vanity, carefully applying makeup with an air of calm that betrayed the malicious thoughts swirling in her mind. Her eyes flicked to her mother, Helen, who had just entered the room, her expression unreadable.

"Layla," Helen said, her voice smooth and controlled, "it's time."

Layla turned, arching an eyebrow. "Time for what, Mother?"

Helen's lips curved into a smile, but there was nothing warm about it. "For us to take matters into our own hands." She moved toward Layla, her eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity.

Layla's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "You've got something in mind?"

Helen didn't answer immediately. Instead, she walked to a small chest at the foot of Layla's bed, opening it to reveal a vial of liquid, its contents a soft amber hue.

Layla's lips parted in surprise. "Is that…"

"A very special potion," Helen confirmed, her voice low and almost reverent. "It's a mixture that will dull Archer's senses, making him more susceptible to influence. All we need to do is slip it into his drink, and we'll have him right where we want him."

Layla's eyes gleamed with wicked excitement. "So, we're going to drug him?"

Helen's smile turned colder. "Not just drug him. We'll make sure he chooses you. By the end of this, Haelyn will be nothing but a distant memory."

Layla's lips curled into a smile. "What's the plan, then?"

Helen's eyes narrowed, calculating. "We'll host a party, something to celebrate your father's seventieth birthday. It'll be the perfect occasion to bring Haelyn and Archer into our trap. While they're distracted with the festivities, we'll slip the potion into Archer's drink. Once he's under our influence, you'll have him."

Layla leaned back in her chair, letting the idea sink in. "And Haelyn?"

Helen's lips curled into a sly smile. "Haelyn will watch as Archer falls for you. She'll see him choose you, and when she realizes she's lost him, it'll break her."

Layla's grin widened, a dark, victorious glint in her eyes. "This is going to be perfect."

Helen's gaze softened slightly, her hand resting on her daughter's shoulder. "You're learning, darling. This is just the beginning. Soon, everything will be ours."

Layla nodded, her mind already racing with the possibilities. "By the end of the night, Archer will be mine, and Haelyn will have nothing left."

Helen's smile stretched wider. "Exactly. And we'll make sure it happens, no matter what it takes."

—--------

Lyra stormed down the Hallway and into her quarters,slamming the door behind her. Aquilla, another one of Archer's concubines, looked up from her desk, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Rough day, Lyra?"

"She slapped me," Lyra hissed, her voice trembling with rage. "That insolent girl had the audacity to lay a hand on me."

Helen's smile didn't waver. "Good. It means she's rattled."

Lyra blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"

Aquila rose gracefully from her chair, smoothing her silk robe as she approached Lyra. "A cornered wolf is the most dangerous, but also the easiest to manipulate. Haelyn is losing her grip. Now is the perfect time to strike."

Lyra, who was still fuming with the two other women behind her, asked. "What's the plan, I need to get back at that bitch!"

Aquilla's eyes gleamed with calculated malice. "We'll exploit the tension she already feels. Let's carefully make use of the information we have."

Layla frowned. "How is that going to help? He's never going to believe us."

Aquilla's smile turned predatory. "we'll recreate the scenario at the right time."

Lyra's smirk returned. "I hope it works or the alpha will have our heads"

Aquilla's gaze flicked to her lyra from the mirror "oh I have the perfect plan."

Lyra's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Aquila's smile faded, replaced by cold determination. "We'll deal with her another way. One step at a time."

Lyra grinned, her excitement barely contained. "I'll make sure everything is perfect. By the end of that night, Archer will remain ours."

Aquilla placed a hand on lyra's shoulder, her voice soft but firm. "Remember, this isn't just about you. This is about securing our place with the Alpha. Haelyn is a threat to everything we've built. She has to fall and none of us can betray the other."

Lyra's voice cut through the room, dripping with malice. "And when she does, I'll be there to watch."

The four women shared a look of conspiratorial satisfaction, their plan taking shape as the night stretched on.