Chapter 176 A Scent She Couldn’t Shake

Eira caught herself staring at Alpha Killian’s face a second longer than she should have.

The sharp line of his jaw, the steady silver-gray eyes, the way he stood close enough for his warmth to cut through the cold.

Alpha Killian noticed.

His gaze dropped to her mouth. Then he leaned in, slow enough to give her every chance to stop him.

Eira’s pulse stumbled.

For one reckless second, she thought he might kiss her.

"I should get back inside," she said quickly.

She stepped away before he could close the distance. "They’re waiting for me."

Alpha Killian did not try to stop her.

Eira turned and headed for the glass doors, walking faster than necessary.

--

Across town, Vincent had just picked Lainey up from the airport when his phone rang.

It was Serena. She wasn’t feeling well, she said, and didn’t have the energy to come across town. Would they mind meeting at a restaurant near her place instead?

Vincent glanced at Lainey. "You okay with that? Serena’s not feeling great."

Lainey shrugged. "Sure. I don’t care where we eat."

"We’ll come to you," he told Serena. "Text me the address."

He hung up, already looking forward to seeing her.

Lainey caught the look on his face and let out a quiet sigh.

That was one battle not worth fighting.

They got there a little early and waited out front. Serena had picked a place a few blocks from her building.

A few minutes in, Lainey’s stomach growled loud enough to make her wince.

Vincent pulled a granola bar from his coat pocket, tore it open, and handed it to her.

Lainey stared at it. "Since when do you carry snacks around like a soccer mom?"

"Because I knew you’d complain about being hungry."

"You really do know me."

"Eat."

Lainey took a bite while they waited.

Vincent checked his phone. "Serena’s probably still doing her makeup. She’s like you—she won’t leave the house until it’s perfect."

"Rude."

A cab pulled up, and Serena stepped out with flawless makeup, a bright smile, and not a single hair out of place. She looked completely fine.

"Vincent. Lainey. Sorry to keep you waiting."

She hugged them both.

"You sure you’re feeling okay?" Vincent asked.

"Honestly, I’m fine."

They made quick small talk and headed inside, taking a booth near the back.

As soon as they sat down, Serena turned to Lainey.

"So, are you out in California for a shoot, or just to unwind?"

"Just to unwind."

"Too bad. My parents are back in town, so I’m stuck playing chauffeur for my parents. I probably won’t have time to show you around." Serena smiled at Vincent. "You’re free, right? Keep her company."

"I can take care of myself," Lainey said. "Besides, your brother would kill my vibe."

Vincent gave his sister a look.

"You came out here to chase him?"

Lainey leaned back against the leather seat. "I like him."

"How many times are you gonna throw yourself at a brick wall?"

"As many times as it takes."

Serena blinked. "You have someone you like?"

"Always have." Lainey took a sip of water. "I’m honestly surprised my brother never mentioned it."

"He’s not right for you," Vincent said.

"You won’t know until I try." Lainey turned to Serena. "What about you? How are things with your boyfriend?"

Serena’s smile froze for half a second.

Her eyes flicked to Vincent, then back to Lainey.

"Good," she said with a soft laugh. "We’re good."

Vincent’s jaw tightened.

The server arrived with their food, saving Serena from another question.

All through dinner, Serena kept drifting off.

Whenever she thought no one was watching, a flicker of worry crossed her face. The second someone said her name, the polished smile snapped right back.

Lainey caught it every time.

After dinner, Vincent studied Serena as they stepped outside.

"You look exhausted. Want me to run you to urgent care?"

Serena shook her head fast, almost like the idea scared her.

"No clinics. I just haven’t been sleeping."

Vincent didn’t buy it.

"Get in. I’ll drive you home."

He turned to Lainey. "Hop in the back."

Lainey raised an eyebrow but climbed into the back seat without arguing.

The drive to Serena’s building took barely two minutes. Vincent pulled up out front, put the car in park, and told Lainey to wait.

"I’ll walk her up."

He came around, opened Serena’s door, and led her toward the entrance. Under the porch light, he stopped her.

"You’re pregnant, aren’t you?"

Serena’s stomach dropped.

[How does he know?

She had planned to keep it buried. Now she needed to get ahead of it before Vincent decided she was some desperate girl clinging to Sebastian for money or status.]

She let her eyes well up on cue.

"Who told you?"

Vincent’s gaze dropped to her stomach. He didn’t say a word.

"Vincent, can you keep this quiet?" Serena’s voice trembled. "Sebastian doesn’t want the baby."

She lowered her head, and the tears spilled over.

Something in Vincent’s chest twisted.

"I won’t tell a soul. Just stop crying."

"Thank you."

She hugged him quickly, then pulled back and wiped her cheeks.

"My parents are furious. I probably shouldn’t be seen with you for a while. Take Lainey out and show her a good time while she’s here."

Vincent waited until she disappeared inside, then let out a slow breath and walked back to the car.

The moment he got in, Lainey turned to face him.

"So, Serena and the boyfriend are hitting a rough patch?"

Vincent stared at her. "How’d you get that?"

Lainey rolled her eyes.

"That sad little smile and the whole ’we’re good’ routine? Please. That’s girl code for, ’My life is falling apart, but I refuse to make it your problem.’"

She hadn’t missed a second of Serena’s performance.

Lainey didn’t hate Serena, but she didn’t really like her either. For now, Serena was just a name and a pretty face attached to her brother’s obsession.

If Serena ever actually won Vincent over and started angling to marry into the Crawford Pack, then Lainey would pay closer attention. Until then, cheering Serena on was simply the easiest way to keep her lovesick brother from sulking.

Vincent had promised to keep the pregnancy quiet, so he left that part out.

But Serena’s love life was fair game.

To protect her image with his family, he skipped the uglier details.

"Her boyfriend fell for another woman," he said.

Lainey’s eyebrows shot up.

"Somebody actually pried a man out of her hands?"

Serena had the kind of look that drew ambitious men like moths to a flame. Good family, a beautiful face, soft when it counted, and just enough career success to seem interesting without ever threatening a man’s ego.

"Who?" Lainey asked, suddenly invested.

Vincent’s expression darkened.

"Trust me, you don’t want to know."

"That bad?"

"This woman’s tangled up with Killian too."

Lainey’s expression shifted.Now she wanted the whole story.