[Blackthorn Enterprise]
Lyra paused just inside the revolving doors of Blackthorn Enterprises.
She stood just inside the revolving doors of Blackthorn Enterprises, fingers curled around the strap of her bag, waiting for the strange warmth, the tight pull beneath her ribs, the unsettling awareness she had felt yesterday.
But nothing happened, her chest felt normal.
Relief spread through her so quickly it left her a little lightheaded.
'It really was just nerves,' she told herself.
The receptionist looked up as Lyra approached. "Good morning. May I help you?"
"Hi, I am Lyra Hale. I am starting today."
"Please give me a moment to confirm the details." After confirming her appointment, the receptionist said, "Welcome. Please head to the HR floor, eighteenth. They will get you set up."
Lyra nodded and followed the signs to the elevators.
The ride up was uneventful, quiet and ordinary.
HR was efficient and brisk. They quickly finished the paperwork, gave her a temporary badge and a quick overview.
"You will be in Operations," the HR representative said, tapping her tablet. "Twenty-second floor. Your manager's name is Jacob."
Lyra repeated it to herself as she thanked her and took the elevator up again.
…..
[The Twenty-second Floor—Operation Department]
Operations felt different.
It was not cold or imposing like she had imagined, it was just busy.
The desks were clustered together, low conversation hummed through the space and sunlight spilling in through tall windows.
"Hey, a new face."
Lyra turned to see a man in his thirties approaching her with an easy smile.
"You must be Lyra. I am Jacob," he said. "Welcome to Operations."
Relief loosened her shoulders. "Nice to meet you."
He gestured toward the floor. "Let me introduce you around."
The team was warm and friendlier than she'd expected.
Some were human who were easy to tell by the way they moved, relaxed and unguarded but others weren't.
Their gazes lingered longer and their presence heavier.
Blackthorn pack, she guessed.
She took a seat near a woman with curly hair who grinned at her. "I am Mira. Don't worry, we don't throw newbies to the wolves."
Someone nearby snorted. "Speak for yourself."
Lyra smiled, settling in.
As Jacob stepped away, the conversation around her shifted to lowered voices and exchanged glances.
"Did you feel it yesterday?" someone murmured.
"Yeah," another replied. "The whole building went strange."
"I thought the power was going to cut out."
Mira leaned closer to someone else. "Maybe thats why the Alpha's on leave."
Lyra paused, pen hovering over her notebook.
"Sudden leave," someone said. "No warning."
"That never happens."
"So Riven's in charge now."
That name came with reactions.
"Oh, he is handsome," a woman whispered.
"Dangerously so," another agreed.
"But the Alpha's worse," someone else added. "Different kind of intimidating."
Lyra glanced up. "Riven?" she asked softly. "Who is that?"
Mira grinned. "Second-in-command. If the Alpha's the storm, Riven's the calm before it."
Before Lyra could ask more, Jacob clapped his hands.
"Alright, meeting in five," he said. "Everyone is in." He then looked at Lyra. "Lyra you too. Good way to learn."
….
[Conference Room]
The conference room filled quickly.
Lyra slipped into the last open seat near the back, grateful to be unnoticed.
Then the room changed not because of sound but because someone had entered.
When the conversation cut off mid-sentence, Lyra looked up.
Riven stood at the head of the table, his posture relaxed and presence unmistakable.
He didn't raise his voice when he spoke, he didn't need to.
"Let's begin," he said and the meeting started.
Lyra focused on her notes.
Budgets, timelines and operational updates by Jacob.
Everything was normal except for the feeling creeping over her skin.
It was not warmth or a pull but awareness of being watched.
When she shifted slightly in her chair and looked around, Riven's gaze lifted too and met hers.
And it lingered.
…..