Chapter 168 A Close Call

Lila’s eyes widened. "Right. The baby changes everything."

Then she frowned. "But how do we prove it? Barry, why didn’t you record Sebastian last night?"

"Because we were in a crowded bar, not a courtroom." Barry took another drink of water. "A shaky phone recording gives their lawyers plenty of room to argue. We need Serena’s medical records. The clinic can confirm the pregnancy and the timeline."

"So the one piece of evidence we need is the one they’ll keep under lock and key."

"Now you’re catching on."

Eira’s expression turned thoughtful. "They won’t hand it over. Sebastian will hide Serena somewhere private. He’ll want the baby."

"Why?" Alpha Killian asked.

The question slipped out before he could stop it.

Alpha Sebastian was not stupid. If Serena’s pregnancy timeline placed the conception during the divorce proceedings, it could become powerful evidence against him. Hiding her should have been the obvious move.

Then Alpha Killian saw Eira’s face.

Her lashes lowered, and something in his chest tightened.

Four years married to Alpha Sebastian. Not one pup. Serena had been back for barely a month and was already carrying his heir.

"You don’t have to answer," Alpha Killian said.

"There’s nothing to explain." Eira looked at them calmly. "Sebastian wanted children with Serena. As it turned out, that’s why I never had a pup during our marriage."

The crystal tumbler in Alpha Killian’s hand shattered.

Everyone went silent.

Blood ran down his palm. The air in the room turned cold as his wolf pushed against his control.

Eira stared at his hand. "Alpha?"

Mrs. Jones recovered first. "Cheap glass. I knew those things were a bad buy." She pointed at Barry. "First-aid kit. Now."

Barry grabbed it.

"I’ll do it," Eira said.

She reached for Alpha Killian’s hand.

He caught her wrist. "There’s a couch right there."

Eira looked at him. "Are you giving me furniture advice?"

"I’m telling you not to kneel on the floor."

"I’m not made of glass."

"Apparently, glass is the problem in this house."

Barry turned away to hide a laugh. Lila did not bother hiding hers.

Alpha Killian released Eira’s wrist. The moment he did, she sat on the couch and opened the first-aid kit.

"Hand."

"I can take the glass out myself."

"Great. You can do that after I clean the wound."

Alpha Killian took the tweezers with his uninjured hand. Eira disinfected his palm, and he removed the shards one by one.

When he finished, he held out his hand.

Eira applied ointment and wrapped the cuts in gauze. Alpha Killian almost objected, then saw her expression and thought better of it.

"Try not to break anything else," she said.

"I’ll do my best."

"Your best is not very reassuring."

His mouth twitched.

Lila leaned toward Barry. "Is this what passes for flirting in Alpha country?"

Barry whispered back, "Apparently."

Alpha Killian shot them both a warning look. They immediately became fascinated by the first-aid kit.

He pulled out his phone.

"Hey, Siri. Call Kate."

"Alpha."

"Keep watch on every hospital, clinic, and private women’s health center in Palo Alto. If anyone spots Serena or Sebastian, follow them and report back. I want to know where she goes."

"Got it. Miles has also been sending updates from overseas."

"Tell him to dig deeper. Find out which clinic Serena is using."

The call ended.

Eira finished wrapping his hand. "Just one layer. I didn’t want it getting in your way."

"Mm."

Alpha Killian watched her lowered lashes tremble as she secured the gauze.

She looked up with a faint smile. "You’ve done all this for me, Killian. What do you want in return?"

The room went quiet.

Everyone waited for his answer.

Alpha Killian met her clear, trusting gaze and remembered his mother’s warning.

She’s been hurt badly. Don’t rush her.

"I want you fully committed to the Sovereign Processor Initiative," he said. His voice stayed calm, but his gaze never left hers. "Get the defense, agricultural, and industrial systems ready for market. Move fast."

Eira held his stare. "I’ll deliver on schedule."

"Good."

Alpha Killian glanced at his bandaged hand, then nodded toward Barry.

"Walk with me."

They had barely stepped outside the gate when Barry grinned.

"In a hurry, Alpha? Afraid you’d blow your cover if you stayed another minute?"

Alpha Killian ignored him.

He had kept the conversation strictly professional for one reason. He did not want Eira to think she owed him anything.

The two men left the property.

--

When Luna Margaret heard that Alpha Sebastian was meeting with the Winthrops, she insisted on coming.

"Serena has both her parents backing her," she told Alpha Sebastian. "You don’t think I’m going to let them corner you alone, do you?"

By the time everyone arrived, both families were seated around the same table.

Robert and Jennifer finally got a close look at the Alpha their daughter had sacrificed everything for.

Robert looked at the Hales as though they were beneath him.

Luna Margaret sat perfectly straight, her chin raised. Her daughter had made the mess, so why should Luna Margaret be the one squirming?

Alpha Sebastian felt heat creep up his neck under the older couple’s scrutiny.

He had never imagined a night like this. Two sets of parents facing each other across a dinner table like rival Alphas negotiating over a border.