Chapter 189 The Certificate in His Hands

"She was my mate." Alpha Sebastian’s chest rose and fell hard. "I chose her. That made her my Luna and part of this family. If you wanted her gone, you should have come to me. I would have kept her away from the pack myself. You don’t run her out like some rogue crossing the border."

"And what exactly would changing that now accomplish?" Alpha Roger’s voice softened. He was not willing to destroy what was left of his relationship with his son. "Your mother and I regret how things played out. We tried to fix it. But it’s done. What happens next is on you."

Luna Margaret rushed to smooth things over.

"Sweetheart, Eira was the one who filed. She put the papers right in front of you and got you to sign them. This isn’t your father’s fault, and it isn’t ours. We only wanted what was best for you."

She stepped closer.

"Back then, we didn’t know what Serena was really like. We thought cutting Eira loose and marrying Serena would help you. Her family had money, connections, and influence. We thought all of that would finally work in your favor. We never meant to hurt you."

She reached for his arm.

Alpha Sebastian pulled away.Not roughly. Just firmly enough to make his answer clear.

The room went quiet.

Isabella’s expression softened.

"Bro, if you really want her, then go get her back. You won her once. Why can’t you do it again?"

She leaned closer, lowering her voice."And this time, the whole family will treat her right. I promise."

Luna Margaret nodded along.

Eira had always been useful. She had managed the household, handled pack events, and taken care of everyone. Luna Margaret had once thought she was too plain to show off.

Now Eira had credentials, recognition, and a powerful name behind her. She would turn heads at every Council gathering.

"Isabella’s right," Alpha Roger said. "You won her once. You can win her back. The bond was dissolved today. You could re-bond tomorrow."

His words carried an ugly assumption.

Eira had no family of her own. No influential bloodline. No powerful relatives to protect her. Everything she built could still become part of the Hale family.

Alpha Sebastian was the only one who understood how rotten it was.

He was the only one who knew how badly he had hurt her.

If Eira hated him, that would at least mean she still felt something. Anger could last longer than love. Hate could still keep two people tied together.

But the way she had looked at him was worse.

She had been calm. Completely calm. She had handed him the truth about their divorce as casually as if she were checking the weather.

She had looked at him with less emotion than she had shown the first day they met.

At least back then, there had been a spark.

Alpha Sebastian clutched both folders and walked out without another word.

His family could only watch him leave.

Luna Margaret let out a heavy sigh.

"He’s really done this time."

Alpha Roger frowned.

What was left to do? The relationship had been dead for a long time.

"Maybe we should talk to Eira," Luna Margaret said slowly. "Put in a good word for him."

Isabella nodded.

Alpha Roger shot them both a warning look.

"If you two show up, all she’ll remember is every miserable day she spent in this house. If you run into her, be polite. Be kind. That’s all."

"Obviously," Luna Margaret said.

Isabella’s eyes shifted as she thought it through.

"So, based on the way he’s acting, he wants Eira back. He doesn’t want Serena, right?"

Alpha Roger’s expression darkened.

"What about Serena’s baby?"

Luna Margaret thought back to the tense meeting with the Winthrops.

"Your brother is leaning toward ending the pregnancy. He’s afraid that if the baby is born, Eira will dig into their finances. If she finds out he’s been using marital money to support Serena, he could be in serious trouble."

"And Serena? Is she keeping it?"

"She says she needs time to think," Luna Margaret replied. "She’s probably afraid Eira will come after her for the money."

"No wonder she disappeared. She won’t answer calls or texts." Isabella’s mind raced. "If she keeps the baby, there’ll be an ultrasound appointment. If she doesn’t, she’ll have to go to a clinic. Either way, she’ll have to show her face somewhere."

--

Across town, Fiona and Finn stepped into the Carter estate and flagged down the housekeeper.

"Where’s Dad?"

"In the sitting room. Vincent Crawford is visiting."

Fiona frowned.

A few minutes later, Alpha Carter came out with Vincent. Vincent gave the siblings a polite nod before heading for the door.

"Dad, why was Vincent here?" Fiona asked.

"Just a social call," Alpha Carter said. "His sister will be in town for a while. You’re starting with the brand division soon, so use Lainey for the campaign shoot."

So Vincent had been trying to find work for his sister.

Fiona almost laughed.

Lainey Crawford needed jobs? People usually had to fight to book her.

Finn barely heard them.

Two things were burning through his mind.

"Dad, Alpha Sebastian and Eira are divorced."He paused, then added, "And Shaw licensed his patent to another company."