Chapter 167 The Strongest Evidence

These days, Eira’s life came down to three things: the Sovereign Processor Initiative, renovating Number Nine, and working with Susan to recover the assets Alpha Sebastian had taken from her.

Her schedule left no time for brooding, which suited her just fine.

So when Alpha Killian offered her a ride back to Southridge Estates, she thanked him and climbed into the SUV. Lila slipped in right after her.

Alpha Killian gave his sister a flat look. "You have your own place."

"I’m staying for a few days," Lila said. "My thesis is due in March, and I need Eira to review it."

On the drive back, Eira worked on her tablet. She uploaded photos of Number Nine into a home-design app, then added flooring samples, furniture, light fixtures, and paint colors.

The layout was rough and a little chaotic, but it showed exactly what she wanted.

"No designer?" Alpha Killian asked.

"Once I finish the layout, I’ll know what I actually like." She didn’t look up. "That’ll make the meeting easier."

Alpha Killian grunted and let her work.

A moment later, her phone began buzzing inside her coat pocket.

"Your phone," he said.

Eira didn’t hear him.

He leaned slightly closer. "Eira, your phone’s ringing."

She turned toward him. Their eyes met for half a second.

His gaze moved over her face, paused at her lips, then shifted away.

Eira pulled out her phone.

She set the tablet facedown on her lap and straightened.

"Dr. Shaw."

The caller was Adrian Shaw, an old friend of her mentor who had always looked out for her.

"Eira, you’re free Friday night, correct?"

"I am. I haven’t forgotten."

"Good."

The call ended.

Lila leaned over immediately. "Dr. Shaw? The Dr. Shaw? The one people mention in the same breath as Dr. Thorne?"

Eira nodded.

Alpha Killian’s eyes flickered. "Sebastian’s meeting with Dr. Shaw. Did you arrange that?"

"Not exactly. I mentioned his name once. The old man remembered."

What she left unsaid was that Dr. Shaw remembered because he cared about her, sharp temper and all.

Eira clearly had no interest in discussing Alpha Sebastian, so Alpha Killian changed the subject.

"What did Dr. Shaw want?"

"His birthday dinner," Eira said, her voice softening automatically. "On Friday."

"That can’t be right." Lila frowned. "Every bio online says his birthday is next Tuesday."

"That’s the point." Eira smiled faintly. "He always celebrates on the Friday before. By his actual birthday, he’s gone. Anyone looking for a favor has no chance of tracking him down."

Lila’s jaw dropped. "Professor Chase has been promising to introduce me to him for three years. Now I know why he never came through."

"He’s an acquired taste."

Even Dr. Alaric Thorne had struggled to pin Dr. Shaw down.

The two old men had often used her as a go-between, sending messages through her when neither could be bothered to deal with the other directly.

Those months of running back and forth between two brilliant minds had taught her more than any textbook.

A faint shadow crossed her face.

Dr. Thorne had always chosen Dr. Shaw’s birthday gift.

Now that he was gone, Eira found herself wondering what on earth she was supposed to get Dr. Shaw.

Alpha Killian noticed the change in her expression.

"Miles looked into it," he said. "Dr. Shaw collects antique furniture. There’s an auction tomorrow night with something he’d want."

"Then you should go with my brother, Eira," Lila said quickly. "I can’t make it."

She absolutely could have made it. She simply refused to let Alpha Killian remain single forever and then have the entire family blame her for it.

Eira had some money now. Not enough to spend freely, but enough to buy a proper gift.

She nodded. "All right."

When they reached Number Nine, two German shepherds trotted over as soon as Eira stepped out of the SUV, their tails wagging.

The dogs had recently joined the estate’s security detail. They were trained alongside the Pack sentries who patrolled the tree line and monitored the surrounding roads. Whenever they caught an unfamiliar scent, they alerted the guards.

Eira crouched and scratched behind their ears.

"Duke. Scout."

The dogs leaned into her hands while she played with them for a few minutes. Then she went inside with Alpha Killian and Lila.

Not long after, the dogs began barking again.

A familiar voice came from the entryway.

"When did you get guard dogs?" Barry asked. "What are you protecting this place from?"

He glanced at the two sentries standing beside the door. Their Pack insignias and rigid posture made their roles obvious, even though Barry had never seen them before.

"Is Miss Crawford back?" he asked. "Is Alpha Killian here?"

The sentries remained silent.

Barry had spotted Alpha Killian’s SUV, so he reached for his phone.

Before he could make the call, Eira appeared with Alpha Killian close behind her, his imposing presence looming at her back like the biggest guard dog on the property.

"Come on in, Dr. Wood," Eira said.

Barry stepped inside, rubbing his temples and wincing. Alpha Killian took one look at him and knew he was hungover.

Mrs. Jones poured him a glass of water. Barry drank half of it before getting to the point.

"I tried texting you last night, Alpha, but the message wouldn’t go through. I figured I’d save myself the trouble and tell you in person."

Lila blinked. "How did you know he’d be here?"

Barry spread his hands. "Where else would he be?"

Lila nodded. Her brother had practically become Number Nine’s resident ghost.

Barry glanced at Eira. "Since Miss Crawford is here, I’ll just say it. Serena’s pregnant. I overheard it at the bar last night."

"Pregnant?" Lila’s face tightened. "Why would you drop that on Eira?"

"About four weeks, if I heard him right," Barry added.

Eira’s expression remained calm.

"Four weeks," she repeated softly. "Then it happened during the mandatory separation period."

Lila and Mrs. Jones immediately moved to her sides and took her hands, their faces filled with sympathy.

Eira gave them a faint smile. "I’m fine. Dr. Wood just brought us exactly what we needed."

Mrs. Jones’s eyes turned red. "Exactly what we needed? Your divorce from Mr. Hale wasn’t even final yet!"

Certain that Eira was in denial, Lila pulled her into a hug.

Eira gently patted her arm. "We were missing one solid piece of evidence, weren’t we? That baby is the key."

Alpha Killian looked at her, quiet approval warming his eyes.

"As far as I know, the divorce waiting period doesn’t end the marriage. Legally, you were still married."