Chapter 166 Circling Wolves

Once Snowmark’s representative left, Finn’s easy smile vanished. He shot Alpha Sebastian a cold look, then walked away without saying a word.

Alpha Sebastian didn’t react.

Jordan hesitated. "What’s wrong with Finn Carter?"

Alpha Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "He’s a lovesick pup. Nothing to worry about."

A lovesick pup who’d just had it made painfully clear that the woman he’d been chasing for days was Alpha Sebastian’s mate.

Alpha Sebastian glanced at the contract in Jordan’s hand, a faint smile touching his lips."It doesn’t matter. With Snowmark on board and Dr. Shaw’s patents behind us, the board will stop hounding me over the processor bid."

Jordan nodded. "There’s one more problem. Dr. Shaw still hasn’t returned our calls."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression darkened. If they couldn’t secure the patents soon, the year-end business rush would make everything more difficult.

"Find out his schedule, then arrange a meeting. What does he like?"

"He collects antique furniture. There’s an upcoming auction with a rare set of hand-carved rosewood chairs from the colonial era. The date hasn’t been announced yet."

"Keep watching. We can’t miss our chance."

"I’ll handle it." Jordan paused, choosing his next words carefully. "There’s one other issue. Alpha, you need to rein in your spending. You’ve already used more than eighty percent of your available cash this month. If we don’t slow down, you won’t have enough left for the chairs or the favors we’ll need to call in before the end of the year."

Alpha Sebastian’s jaw tightened.

He knew his money was disappearing fast. Serena’s apartment, car, and jewelry. Eira’s clothes and bags. The rental payment he had made without a second thought.

"Go back to the office," he said. "I have personal business to deal with tonight."

After Jordan left, Alpha Sebastian called Ethan.

"Come have a drink with me."

Ethan had been waiting for days to question Alpha Sebastian about Eira’s identity and Serena’s situation. By the time he arrived at the bar, he was practically bursting with questions.

They took a booth in the corner and clinked glasses. Alpha Sebastian drained half his drink in one swallow. Ethan barely touched his before leaning across the table.

"Is it true? Eira really is the chief engineer of the Sovereign Processor Initiative? It’s right there on Sterling Industries’ official website. They wouldn’t fake something like that."

"You said it yourself. It’s on the official website." Alpha Sebastian poured himself another drink. The shifting bar lights made his expression hard to read. "That kind of thing can’t be faked."

"I thought I was losing my mind. The Eira we know and the woman leading that project are completely different people. The difference is insane."

"Watch your tone." Alpha Sebastian suddenly looked up.

"Right. Your Luna." Ethan raised both hands. "But you’ve always said you wanted a woman who stood out. Eira is exactly that now. She’s brilliant, capable, and all over the news. So what are you going to do about Serena?"

Alpha Sebastian fell silent.

He poured another drink and finished it.

Then he said, "Serena’s pregnant."

At that exact moment, the music on the dance floor stopped.

A couple passing near the booth caught every word. When they heard Serena’s name, Fiona grabbed Barry’s arm and pulled him back.

The bar was packed, and Sebastian was too deep in his own problems to notice them.

"Pregnant?" Ethan set down his glass. "What are you going to do? You can’t keep her hidden forever."

A thought crossed his mind. "You’re not planning to ask her to terminate the pregnancy, are you?"

Alpha Sebastian’s expression hardened. "It’s a life. It’s my blood."

Ethan let out a slow breath. "Then what happens to Eira?"

"You don’t even like Eira," he said. "Let her go. Marry Serena. You get the woman you wanted and the baby. Simple."

Alpha Sebastian answered without hesitation.

"The woman I want is Eira."

Ethan stared at him. "Come again? Every time I asked if you had feelings for her, you shut me down. Now you’re doing a complete one-eighty?"

"I didn’t understand my own heart." Alpha Sebastian met his eyes. "I spent four years with Eira. We were happy. You can’t honestly say we weren’t."

[You were happy,] Ethan thought. [Whether Eira was happy is another question.]

Alpha Sebastian saw the silence on his face and did not try to defend himself.

"I treated her terribly. I’ll make it right. My parents and Isabella won’t touch her again. I’ll give her control of the finances. All of them. We’ll have a pup. Maybe two."

"And Serena’s baby?" Ethan cut in. "You’re losing me here."

"It was an accident!" Alpha Sebastian’s voice rose. "The pregnancy wasn’t planned."

Ethan rubbed his forehead.

"So you’ve realized Eira is your Luna, and you refuse to let her go. Fine. But you still have to decide what you’re doing about Serena and the baby. Keep dragging this out, and it will blow up in your face. I’m telling you straight, brother."

Alpha Sebastian stared into his glass. "Either Serena keeps the pregnancy and stays out of sight, or she doesn’t go through with it at all."

Ethan raised his glass. "So you still haven’t made a real decision."

He had always thought he was the reckless one, moving from woman to woman without getting caught. Apparently, Alpha Sebastian had him beat.

"Here. Drink until your problems pass out before you do."

Across the room, Fiona nudged Barry.

"Come on. Logan’s waiting."

Barry smirked. "One story for the public and another behind closed doors. Guess your father misjudged him."

"Don’t start," Fiona snapped.

"Want me to warn him?" Barry nodded toward Alpha Sebastian. "That guy is a walking disaster. Keeping him close sounds like a terrible idea."

Fiona said nothing. She had no control over who her father kept on the payroll. If he knew what Alpha Sebastian was capable of and still protected him, he had his reasons.

Her phone buzzed.

It was Finn.

"Fiona, Sebastian’s mate is Eira? He has Eira and he’s still sneaking around with Serena? What kind of idiot does that?"

"I know Eira is his mate. Why are you freaking out?"

Then she paused.

"Wait. Don’t tell me Eira is your dream girl."

Barry’s head turned sharply at the name.

He shook his head. "Forget it. Alpha Killian is already circling her. He’s guarding that territory like a wolf over a fresh kill. Your golden boy doesn’t stand a chance."

Fiona had seen it herself on the yacht. But she had no intention of letting her brother back down.

"Go after her, Finn. If you win Eira, I’ll turn your confession into the event of the year."

Barry stared at her.

Then he quietly pulled out his phone and typed a message.

[Alpha Killian, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Finn Carter is pursuing Miss Crawford.]

He started another line.

[One more thing. Serena...]

Fiona snatched the phone from his hand before he could finish.