Chapter 169 No Shame

Alpha Sebastian played the perfect host, refilling everyone’s wineglasses with practiced ease.

"Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop."

Robert and Jennifer had no interest in small talk. Luna Margaret, however, sipped her wine as if she owned the table.

Jennifer got straight to the point. "Mr. Hale, you know my daughter is pregnant. How does the Hale Pack plan to handle this? A Winthrop woman will not carry a pup for an Alpha who refuses to claim her."

Alpha Sebastian started to answer, but Luna Margaret cut in with a sharp smile.

"Are you using the baby as leverage? Both of them made their own choices. But if you think Serena’s pregnancy earns her a place in this Pack, think again. The Hale Pack has one Luna, and that is Eira. What exactly does Serena bring to the table?"

Serena sat stiffly, her hands clenched in her lap. Her eyes flashed with anger.

Robert shoved back his chair. "How dare you speak about my daughter like that?"

Luna Margaret did not flinch.

Robert turned to Jennifer and Serena. "We’re leaving. If you want to keep the baby, Serena, your mother and I will support you."

"Sit down," Luna Margaret said when Alpha Sebastian began to rise.

Serena looked at him with wounded eyes.

He said nothing.

Jennifer pulled Robert back into his chair. Luna Margaret did the same to Alpha Sebastian.

"Aunt Margaret ," Serena said softly, "I’m carrying Hale blood. Haven’t you always wanted an heir from Sebastian?"

Luna Margaret took another sip of wine.

"We want the baby."

Hope brightened Serena’s face.

"But if you keep it, the Pack will not give you the Hale name, the Luna title, or any claim to Pack status. If you can accept that, the Hales will be grateful."

"Shameless!" Robert slammed his hand on the table. He turned to Alpha Sebastian. "You’re the Alpha. Do you have a backbone, or are you going to sit there and let them treat her like this?"

Alpha Sebastian had spent the previous night drinking until he could no longer think. By morning, his head was clear, and so was his decision.

He did not want this baby.

One day, he and Eira would have heirs of their own. Their pups would carry the Hale bloodline and belong to a true bond.

"I owe you both an apology," Alpha Sebastian said calmly. "We’re adults, and we’re responsible for our own choices. But I will not continue this pregnancy."

The words left a dull ache in his chest. This would have been his first pup.

Serena stared at him. "Sebastian, what are you saying?"

"This pregnancy puts everyone at risk," he said. "Eira is preparing to claim her share of the marital and Pack assets. If she files, the baby will be clear proof that we had an affair during the separation."

Serena’s lips parted, then pressed together.She knew he was right.

Robert and Jennifer knew Alpha Sebastian had spent a fortune on their daughter. They had overlooked one important detail. Much of that money came from marital and Pack funds.

Now they sat there in silence, humiliated but unable to deny the truth.

Robert still refused to abandon Serena.

"Fine," he said through clenched teeth. "Then she won’t keep the baby."

Jennifer placed a hand on Serena’s arm. "Sweetheart, think about the option I mentioned. You’re still early. You can start over."

Serena pulled away.

"Never." Her eyes hardened. "Sebastian, are you really willing to turn your back on your own child?"

He was silent for a moment.

"We’ll settle everything from the past," he said. "I’ll even convince Eira to drop her claim to the marital assets."

Tears filled Serena’s eyes.

Alpha Sebastian was walking away and leaving her to deal with the fallout alone.

She took a breath. "Give me time. You may not want this pup, but I do. It’s mine. It’s ours. Just give me time to think."

Alpha Sebastian nodded. "Fine. Keep a low profile. We’ll stay out of each other’s way."

He turned to her parents. "I’m sorry."

Robert and Jennifer looked away.

Luna Margaret’s expression turned cold. "Don’t act like my son is the only one at fault. He spent millions on Serena. She used his money to buy her way into this family, kept everyone in the dark, then convinced Isabella to drug Eira and leave her with a stranger."

Robert and Jennifer went pale.

"Isabella ended up in a holding cell," Luna Margaret continued. "If Sebastian hadn’t kept quiet because of their history, Serena would have been the one facing charges. So don’t forget who protected her."

Serena looked ready to flip the table.

Luna Margaret stood. "Sebastian, we’re leaving."

In the car, she weighed the situation. If Serena kept the baby, Luna Margaret would stay out of the asset dispute. If she didn’t, Luna Margaret would help Eira recover every dollar.

Either way, the Hale Pack would come out ahead.

Alpha Sebastian stared out the window. Walking away from his first pup hurt more than he wanted to admit.

"Go home first, Mom."

"Going back to comfort Serena?"

"No. I have an auction to prepare for."

He needed enough liquid cash in one account to pass the auction house’s proof-of-funds check. The rosewood armchair was expected to sell for up to two million dollars, but he planned to show access to $2.8 million.

--

The next evening, Alpha Sebastian and Jordan took their seats at the auction. They did not notice Alpha Killian and Eira watching from a private box above.

Kate leaned toward Alpha Killian. "Hale brought proof of funds for $2.8 million."

Alpha Killian smiled. "Almost broke. You know what to do."

Kate picked up a bidding paddle and headed downstairs.

Jordan spotted her first. "Alpha, Alpha Killian is here. Second-floor box."

Alpha Sebastian followed his gaze. "We’re here for the chair. Don’t let them distract you."The auction began.

The first lot was the antique rosewood armchair. The auctioneer opened at $450,000.

Jordan raised his paddle.

"Five hundred thousand."

Kate lifted hers without hesitation.

"Five-fifty."

Jordan froze.

So much for coincidence.