Claimed By Two Alphas

The Alpha King's Control

The summons arrived before sunrise.

Three soft knocks echoed against Lyra's bedroom door.

She had barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Kael's devastated smile after confessing his feelings. Then Cassian standing before the entire training ground, forcing a ranked Alpha to apologize to her. Neither memory allowed her peace.

"Miss Lyra?" A servant's hesitant voice came from the other side. "The Alpha King requests your presence."

Lyra's stomach dropped. The Alpha King. Not Cassian. Never Cassian.

She stared at the door for several seconds before finally answering, "...I'll be there shortly."

As the servant retreated, Lyra pressed trembling fingers against her chest. The strange ache beneath her ribs returned. Because no matter how much she told herself to fear him... Some part of her had already begun anticipating his presence. And that terrified her.

The infirmary occupied the eastern wing of the estate. Unlike the grand halls and polished meeting chambers, it smelled of herbs, antiseptic, and old parchment.

Three healers waited inside. Two Betas. One elderly Omega.

All of them turned toward Lyra the moment she entered. Their expressions shifted almost immediately. Concern. Confusion. Curiosity.

"Lyra Vale?"

She nodded.

"Please sit."

The elderly Omega, Healer Miriam, offered her a gentle smile, "Don't be frightened."

Lyra sat rigidly on the examination chair, "What is this?"

"Routine evaluation," Miriam explained, "After an Omega's first heat, examinations are necessary to ensure proper recovery."

"I understand." Lyra's hands tightened together.

The Beta healer approached, "We'll need to assess your scent profile."

Her pulse accelerated, "Scent profile?"

"To determine whether any claim has occurred."

Silence. The room suddenly became difficult to breathe in. Claim. The word echoed violently in her mind.

No. No marks existed. No official bond. No proof.

But— The Beta healer hesitated.

"Miss Vale?"

Lyra hadn't realized she'd stopped breathing, "I-I'm fine."

Healer Miriam exchanged glances with her colleagues, "Relax, dear." She reached toward Lyra's wrist. "You're safe."

The older Omega's scent remained soothing. Comforting. Yet before the healer could continue—

The infirmary doors opened. Every person inside immediately stood. Cassian Thorne entered.

He wore an impeccably tailored black suit. His expression was unreadable. Controlled. Power followed him effortlessly.

"The Alpha King," Miriam greeted.

Cassian nodded once, "Proceed."

The healers resumed. The younger Beta stepped closer to Lyra, "Please extend your arm."

Lyra obeyed. The examination began simply. Pulse. Temperature. Questions about lingering symptoms.

But gradually— The Beta frowned, "That's unusual."

The second healer leaned forward, "What is?"

"Her scent."

Miriam approached carefully. Lyra's throat tightened.

"What about it?"

The elderly Omega inhaled subtly. Then froze. A flicker of alarm crossed her features.

"It doesn't make sense."

Cassian's voice cut through the room, "Explain."

Miriam hesitated, "It's stronger than expected."

"Residual heat?"

"No."

Her gaze shifted toward Lyra.

"It feels..." She paused. "...anchored."

The room went silent. The younger Beta looked confused.

"Anchored?"

"As if an Alpha presence remains intertwined with it."

Lyra's face drained of color.

"No."

Her voice came out too quickly. Too sharply.

"I mean..." Panic flooded her veins. "I don't understand."

Miriam's expression softened. "Have you been around a dominant Alpha frequently since your heat?"

Lyra couldn't answer. Because all she could think about was pale gray eyes. Steady hands. A voice commanding her to look at him.

The Beta healer straightened. "Alpha King... If a partial bond exists, further inspection may be required."

Further inspection. Lyra's entire body tensed. The room's atmosphere shifted instantly.

"No." The single word fell like a blade. Cassian's pale gaze remained fixed ahead. "The evaluation ends here."

The younger healer blinked, "But Alpha King—"

"You've determined she recovered physically."

"Yes."

"Then this discussion is concluded."

Miriam frowned slightly, "The scent anomaly should be documented."

Cassian finally looked at them. The pressure in the room intensified.

"No further examination."

Silence. No one argued. No one dared.

"Understood." Miriam bowed her head.

The Beta healers followed suit.

"You're dismissed."

They obeyed immediately.

Within moments... Only Lyra and Cassian remained. The infirmary felt too small.

Too quiet. Lyra couldn't look at him.

"You didn't have to do that, Alpha. They were doing their jobs."

Cassian remained standing near the doorway, "They were overstepping."

"They weren't."

Her voice trembled. "They would've found out eventually."

His expression hardened. "They found nothing."

"But—"

"They found nothing."

The sharpness of his tone silenced her. For several moments, neither spoke. Then—

"Why?"

The question escaped before Lyra could stop it.

Cassian's gaze shifted toward her. "Why what?"

"Why protect me?" Her voice cracked. "You said it meant nothing."

She finally looked at him. Pain reflected openly in her eyes.

"You made that very clear."

The Alpha King stood motionless. The lie he'd spoken days ago echoed between them.

No. It meant nothing. He'd watched her cry after saying it. He'd heard the devastation in her voice. He had done it anyway.

Because distance was safer. Because Kael deserved better. Because Lyra deserved freedom from the consequences of him.

"You are under my protection."

His answer was immediate.

Lyra laughed bitterly, "I'm part of the pack."

"Yes."

"You would've done this for anyone."

A pause. Then—

"No."

The admission escaped before he could stop it. Both of them froze. Cassian's jaw tightened.

Lyra stared, "You..."

His eyes closed briefly. Then reopened. Cold once more.

"This conversation is over." He turned toward the door.

"Cassian."

The name stopped him. No titles. No Alpha King. Just Cassian.

"You lied."

His back remained rigid.

"I know."

"And you're still lying."

Silence.

Finally—

"You should return to your room."

Then he walked away. Leaving Lyra with a heart beating too loudly against her ribs.

Kael waited outside Cassian's office. He'd been waiting for nearly an hour. The moment his father appeared, Kael straightened.

"You ordered Lyra's evaluation."

"Yes."

"You stopped it."

Cassian continued walking.

Kael followed, "Why?"

"No reason."

"That's a lie."

The older Alpha stopped. Slowly.

"You presume much."

Kael's jaw tightened, "You've been different."

"Careful."

"You protected her."

"She's a member of this pack."

"You embarrassed Darius over her."

"Darius insulted a pack member."

"You stopped the examination."

Silence stretched between them.

"You keep finding excuses. But I know you." He stepped closer, "My father doesn't bend rules."

Cassian looked at him. Expressionless.

"What exactly are you accusing me of?"

The question carried danger. Kael swallowed. Because he didn't know. Not entirely. But instinct screamed at him. Something was wrong.

"Tell me the truth."

Cassian's gaze remained glacial, "The truth changes nothing."

"It changes everything."

"No., The Alpha King's voice dropped, "It changes you."

Neither moved. Father. Son. Two Alphas staring each other down.

Kael's hands curled into fists. "Did something happen that night?"

The question shattered the silence. Cassian's face revealed nothing. Too controlled. Too perfect. But Kael noticed it. A hesitation. A fraction of a second. Then—

"You will not question me again regarding Lyra."

The authority behind the order crashed into the room. Pure Alpha command.

"You are my son."

"Then act like my father!"

The words exploded from Kael. Shock flashed through the hallway. Servants nearby immediately retreated.

Kael breathed heavily. Pain filled his expression, "You taught me to protect those weaker than us. You taught me that strength without compassion isn't leadership." His voice broke. "So why does it feel like you're hiding something from me?"

For the first time... Cassian looked tired. Only briefly. Gone within seconds.

"Some truths destroy more than they protect."

Kael stared, "Then maybe people deserve to decide that for themselves."

Neither spoke. Cassian walked past him, "Stay away from this matter."

Kael turned sharply, "No."

The refusal echoed down the hallway. The Alpha King paused. Then continued walking without another word. Leaving Kael standing alone.

More certain than ever. Something had happened in the restricted wing. And whatever secret his father carried... It involved Lyra.

That night, Lyra stood outside her bedroom window. The estate slept beneath silver moonlight. She pressed her forehead against the cool glass. Kael loved her. Cassian protected her. Both men denied her peace.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. Soft. Careful. When she opened the door, she found no one waiting outside. Only a folded note resting on the floor.

Confused, Lyra picked it up. Her hands trembled as she unfolded it. Inside, only four words were written. Be careful, little Omega.

Someone knows.

Lyra's blood turned to ice. Because beneath the warning... Lingered the faint scent of an unfamiliar Alpha.

And somewhere deep within the Thorne estate... Someone had started watching her.