Chapter 196 Rotten Logic

"Serena just came out of the OB-GYN clinic," Eira said. "She had another ultrasound."

Alpha Killian understood exactly what she was implying.

"I’ll handle it."

He almost told her that he would handle anything that worried her. He would take care of every detail, solve every problem, and ask for nothing in return.

Eira looked into his dark eyes, and something warm stirred in her chest.

He had said it so easily. No questions. No conditions. Just three simple words that made her feel, for one brief second, as if she did not have to deal with everything alone.

Her heartbeat quickened.

She looked away before he could notice.

"I’m putting all my time into the research institute’s partnership with Sterling Group," she said. "Everything else can wait."

Alpha Killian stared at her.

She really did not understand what he was offering, did she?

Eira felt his eyes on her and grew even more uncomfortable. She needed to change the subject.

"And thank you for finding Dr. Vale and getting my results rushed."

His brow lifted slightly.

At least she had remembered him.

Then he noticed how pale she looked.

That was not right. Mrs. Jones fed her like royalty.

"You haven’t eaten?"

"I had breakfast." Eira looked down at herself, confused. "Why?"

"You look pale."

He suspected her blood sugar had dropped. He reached for his phone, ready to ask Kate Morgan to bring her something sweet.

Before he could make the call, Eira pulled a small chocolate bar from her coat pocket.

The same one he had left at Number Nine the night before.

"Maybe my blood sugar is low," she said.

She peeled back the wrapper and took a small bite.

Alpha Killian put his phone away and watched her eat. She took small, careful bites, completely focused on the chocolate. She ate the same way she handled everything else, quietly and with care.

When Eira caught him staring, she removed the rest of the wrapper and broke the bar in half. Then she held out the untouched piece to him.

A soft sound left her throat."Here. Have some."

Alpha Killian stared at the chocolate in her hand.

He never ate the stuff. It stuck to his teeth, and afterward it made his mouth look like he had been chewing tar.

But Eira was sharing it with him.

He took the piece and bit off a small corner.

When she saw him eat it, the corners of her eyes and mouth lifted into a faint, pleased smile.

"Eira?"

The voice came from behind them.

Eira turned.

Ethan Yates was walking toward them. He slowed as soon as he saw her, as if he needed a second to make sure he was looking at the right person.

He had seen the news articles about Dr. Crawford, but he had never connected that brilliant, confident woman with the quiet Eira he remembered.

The difference was not in her face.

It was in the way she carried herself.

Her clothes were simple, expensive, and perfectly tailored. Her hair fell in glossy waves, and her skin looked healthy beneath the hospital lights. Even beside Alpha Killian, whose Alpha presence filled the hallway, she did not look small or dependent.

She stood on her own.

No wonder Alpha Sebastian could not let her go. No wonder he had ended up in the hospital with stomach spasms after receiving the divorce papers. Anyone would hate losing a woman like Eira.

Ethan stopped several feet away.

With Alpha Killian beside her, he knew better than to step into their space. Alpha Killian’s scent had sharpened, carrying a quiet warning that every wolf nearby would have understood.

Watch yourself.

"Eira, are you here to see Sebastian?"

"He didn’t tell you we’re divorced?" Eira asked.

Ethan blinked. "I only just found out."

Eira had always known Ethan was good at playing dumb and talking his way out of trouble.

"Mr. Yates, you knew Serena was Sebastian’s ex, didn’t you? You also knew they were still involved after the wedding. You knew long before I did, didn’t you?"

The color drained from Ethan’s face.

Before he could answer, Alpha Killian looked at him.

The air seemed to tighten.

Ethan felt the weight of the Alpha’s attention settle over him. It was not a direct command, but every wolf in the hallway understood the message.

Watch yourself.

Ethan swallowed and turned back to Eira.

"Sebastian was wrong. I know that. You don’t have to forgive him. But could you at least go see him? He hasn’t eaten all day. He’s getting weaker, and his stomach was already in bad shape. Not eating will only make it worse."

Eira did not move.

"How is that my problem?"

It was not really a question. Her voice was flat.

Even Ethan felt a chill. He had expected anger. He had not expected her to sound this calm.

"You spent all that time getting his stomach under control," he said. "Now it’s acting up again. Doesn’t that make everything you did for him pointless?"

Eira stared at him.

She could not believe he was actually making that argument.

Alpha Killian’s voice turned cold.

"She helped him recover. She didn’t leave with his stomach tucked under her arm. That was already more mercy than he deserved."

Ethan flinched.

He did not dare argue with Alpha Killian. The dominant pressure coming off him filled the hallway, and Ethan’s wolf urged him to lower his eyes.

But Alpha Sebastian was still his best friend.

"Alpha Killian, that’s not exactly fair."

"Isn’t it?" Alpha Killian asked.

He was still looking at Eira, not Ethan.

"No," Eira said. "The logic is perfectly sound."

Ethan stared at her.

Eira turned toward him and explained it in the same calm tone she might have used in a business meeting.

"Sebastian worked himself sick trying to make money for Serena’s career. That is how he damaged his stomach. I put in the time and effort to help him recover. Then I found out what kind of hypocrite he was, so I left."

She paused.

"By your logic, the stomach I repaired should have packed its bags and left with me."

Ethan nearly choked.

Apparently, that was one way to look at it.

Eira watched his stunned expression.

"So if his stomach is acting up again, that makes perfect sense."

Alpha Killian gave a slow nod.

"Too bad you couldn’t take it with you."

Eira turned to him. "That would be a felony, Killian."

"Good to know."

Ethan stared at them.

They had completely shut him out of the conversation. Worse, they seemed to understand each other without trying. Every time he tried to push Eira toward Alpha Sebastian, Alpha Killian stepped in and turned the argument back on him.

There was no winning against both of them.

"Eira, do you really have to be this harsh?" Ethan asked. "You and Sebastian were married."

"We were married. That is exactly why I will not let this slide."

Her tone stayed polite, which somehow made the words cut deeper.

"Do me a favor and give Sebastian a message," she continued. "In the lawsuit over the marital assets, I’m not naming Serena alone. I’m naming Sebastian as a defendant too."

Ethan’s expression tightened.

"You’re suing both of them?"

"I’m holding both of them accountable."

Alpha Killian’s gaze shifted to Ethan. The warning in his eyes was unmistakable.

Ethan took a step back.

Eira adjusted the strap of her bag and met his eyes.

"Make sure Sebastian understands. This isn’t a bluff, and it isn’t something I’ll get over by tomorrow."