Chapter 142 Alpha Victor’s Choice

Mrs. Jones packed the meal into containers and carried it over to Number One of Southridge Estates.

Alpha Killian was already home from work.

"Alpha Killian, your dinner," Mrs. Jones said. "I did my best, Alpha. I cooked enough for two and dropped every hint I could that Miss Crawford should find someone to share it with. In the end, she only told me to bring it over to you."

That was so very Eira. Alpha Killian wasn’t surprised.

Mrs. Jones plated the food and set it on the table, delivering her report as she went. "Alpha Killian, Miss Crawford’s planning to move soon. And she wants to claw back all the money her ex spent on his mistress over the years."

"Move?" Alpha Killian’s chopsticks paused mid-air. "Move where?"

"She didn’t say. But don’t you worry, sir, Miss Crawford’s taking me with her. When the time comes, I’ll scout out whether the neighbors want to sell or rent."

Alpha Killian went quiet, thoughtful. "Understood."

--

Alpha Victor was hosting Vincent Crawford at The Hawthorne.

Serena was there too, but her mind was elsewhere.

The reserved parking spot Eira had at Alpha Sebastian’s place. The custom walk-in closet. It all screamed: Eira’s not going anywhere.

Alpha Sebastian had never said it, but his actions were loud. He was pushing Serena out.

Alpha Victor caught his granddaughter drifting. He cut in with a low warning. "Vincent’s almost here."

Serena snapped back to attention.

A server led Vincent Crawford in, sharp in a tailored suit. "Alpha Victor, Serena, my apologies for running late. Had a few things to sort out."

He even brought a gift for Alpha Victor. "A small token. I hope it’s to your liking."

"Not at all, we arrived early." Alpha Victor’s face split into a warm smile. He cared more for the young man than any gift.

Alpha Sebastian, a married man, had only soured in his opinion. He never bothered with a proper visit.

"Mr.Crawford ," Alpha Victor said, "you’ve gone above and beyond this past week."

Vincent gave a humble shrug. "You should call me by my name, same as Serena does. I only wish I’d actually been able to help."

Although Dr. Victor kept his honorary title, the Institute issued him a formal written censure and barred him from applying for or participating in grant-funded projects for three years.

At his age, the penalty hardly affected his career. He was already well past the usual age for retirement.

What mattered now was finding and training a successor.

"I’m an old man. As long as the young ones are all right, that’s enough." Alpha Victor turned to his granddaughter. "Serena, aren’t you going to raise a glass to Vincent?"

Serena moved to lift her wine, but Vincent’s hand covered hers.

"No need to stand on ceremony. Besides, you can’t hold your liquor."

Serena sat back down, a soft smile curving her lips. "Thank you, Vincent."

He gave her a faint smile, then poured wine for himself and Alpha Victor.

The more Alpha Victor watched Vincent, the more he liked what he saw.

When Serena slipped away to the restroom, he seized the moment. "You’re thirty this year, aren’t you?"

Vincent nodded. "Just turned thirty."

"Not engaged? Not mated?"

Vincent understood exactly where this was going. He gave a small laugh. "I’m afraid not."

"Is that by choice? Or is there someone you have your eye on?" Alpha Victor knew the younger man had read him clearly. Now he was curious how Vincent would answer.

Vincent took a sip of his tea and spoke plainly. "Alpha Victor, I do care for Serena."

Alpha Victor’s mood lifted instantly. "That girl needs someone who can rein her in." Someone who could actually be of use to her, too.

Alpha Sebastian and Vincent were evenly matched in looks and capability—but the Hale Pack couldn’t hold a candle to the Crawfords.

"She has someone she cares about," Vincent added.

"You mean Sebastian?" Alpha Victor waved it off. "The girl’s been headstrong. I’ll set her straight. Alpha Sebastian has a mate. He and Serena will only ever be friends."

So Alpha Victor didn’t know Alpha Sebastian and Eira had dissolved their bond.

That worked in Vincent’s favor.

--

Serena returned and settled back into her seat, curious. "Grandfather, what are you and Vincent plotting? You both look far too pleased with yourselves."

"Your future, naturally." Alpha Victor looked at Vincent. "I’m just an old set of bones. I’ll be counting on you to look after Serena from here on out."

Vincent’s gaze lingered on Serena, warm and deliberate. "I will, Alpha Victor."

Serena’s eyes flickered.

"There’s an old friend asking me to catch up tomorrow evening," Vincent said. "Would you be free to join me, Serena?"

Serena had been planning to catch Alpha Sebastian while he had the weekend free. She hadn’t seen him in days. She missed him fiercely. And she worried about him just as fiercely.

Alpha Victor answered before she could. "She’s free."

Vincent turned to her. "So, Serena? Care to join me?"

Alpha Victor shot his granddaughter a look that clearly said, say yes, and quickly.

Serena nodded. "I’m free."

Vincent smiled. "I’ll pick you up at the Winthrop estate tomorrow afternoon."

"All right."

She could see Alpha Sebastian in the morning, then spend the afternoon and evening with Vincent.

Getting closer to Vincent Crawford certainly couldn’t hurt. A little harmless flirting never killed anyone, right?