Chapter 197 One Last Chance

Ethan had not seen the asset claim coming.

As Eira and Alpha Killian disappeared down the hall, he finally connected the dots. Alpha Sebastian had poured joint assets into Serena’s career after registering his mate bond with Eira.

Under Pack law, Eira could demand a full accounting and recover her share.

The case could ruin Alpha Sebastian.

Ethan returned to the room but kept quiet. Eira still needed bank records and proof.

"How’re you feeling?" he asked. "The doctor wants you here overnight. If your labs are clear tomorrow, you can go home."

Alpha Sebastian was already yanking off the monitor leads.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Going after Eira."

"You can barely stand."

"She left me."

His voice cracked. His face was white, and his hands shook as he reached for his shirt.

Ethan blocked the door. "Seb, chasing her through a hospital won’t fix this."

"It’s not over."

"You’re already divorced."

"She hasn’t chosen another mate."

Ethan stared at him. "This isn’t a bad deal you can renegotiate. You hurt her."

Alpha Sebastian’s jaw locked. "Move."

The door opened before Ethan could answer.

Alpha Carter walked in with Finn.

Alpha Sebastian froze. "Alpha Carter. Finn."

Alpha Carter glanced at Alpha Sebastian’s hospital bracelet and half-buttoned shirt.

"Going somewhere?" he asked. "Because Mercy General already has doctors. They don’t need you making rounds."

"We heard you were sick," Finn added. "Dad wanted to check in."

Alpha Carter’s sharp gaze said this was not a social call.

As Hale Group’s largest outside investor, Alpha Carter had enough shares to sway the board. Alpha Sebastian could not blow him off to chase a personal crisis, especially when the company and the Hale Pack were already under pressure.

His jaw clenched, but he returned to the bed.

Ethan stepped aside. "I’ll give you some privacy."

As he passed Alpha Sebastian, he lowered his voice.

"Don’t go after her tonight. You’ll only make it worse."

Then he left and closed the door.

Alpha Carter’s eyes moved around the room before settling on the untouched bowl of oatmeal cooling on the tray.

"Your stomach is acting up, and you still aren’t eating?" he said. "That is not going to help."

He sat down.

"I appreciate your concern, Alpha Carter. I just don’t have much of an appetite."

Alpha Sebastian lowered himself into the chair across from him.

He already knew Alpha Carter had heard everything. The divorce. The failed patent deal with Dr. Shaw. A visit at this hour meant the friendly conversation would not last long.

Alpha Carter was starting with the polite version.

"A man can’t run on an empty tank," Alpha Carter said. "The doctor has you on soft foods, I assume?"

"Yes, Alpha Carter."

"Finn." Alpha Carter glanced at his son. "Have someone send over some broth. Something light."

"Got it."

Finn pulled out his phone.

"Please, don’t go to the trouble," Alpha Sebastian said quickly. His voice was still weak. "Your coming here is already more than I deserve."

Alpha Carter waved him off.

"I’ve watched what you built at Hale Group. The deals you closed, the numbers you brought in, the growth. I’ve kept all of it in mind."

[Here it comes,] Alpha Sebastian thought.

He held his breath.

The bill had come due.

"After the last mess, I did what I could to keep it quiet," Alpha Carter continued. "But you can’t keep a wildfire under control forever, especially when you keep throwing sparks into the flames."

Alpha Carter’s frown deepened.

"When I backed you, you should have understood how many people were watching you."

He paused.

"They were watching me too."

For a man in Alpha Carter’s position, one bad decision could cost him more than a business deal. It could cost him his seat at the table.

As one of Hale Group’s largest shareholders and a senior voice in Pack politics, Alpha Carter understood both systems.

The board cared about stock value, contracts, and legal exposure. The Pack Council cared about territory, resources, and whether an Alpha could still protect his people.

If Alpha Sebastian lost the board, he could lose the company. If he lost the Council, he could lose Hale territory.

And right now, both sides were closing in.

Alpha Sebastian had brought this on himself. He had kept Eira out of the boardroom because she did not fit the image he wanted for the Hale Pack. She dressed simply, stayed out of the spotlight, and had no powerful family name behind her. He had refused to acknowledge her as his mate because he thought she made him look ordinary.

He had been wrong.

Eira had managed his household, handled Pack affairs, and helped secure the Snowmark partnership.

While Alpha Sebastian chased status, she kept the Hale Pack running. Her work had helped fund border patrols, security teams, and emergency housing for displaced Omegas.

He had used her when it suited him, then treated her like a liability.

Now the whole mess was coming back to bite him.

"I understand, Alpha Carter." Alpha Sebastian lowered his eyes. "My parents pushed the dissolution through. I never approved it. And Dr. Shaw only agreed to work with me because Eira introduced us. After she left, he had no reason to stay in business with me."

His throat tightened.

"I misjudged her. I didn’t know what I had until I lost it. That was on me."

He paused, then added, "Whatever the board decides, I’ll accept it."

"The board isn’t going to sweep this under the rug," Alpha Carter said sharply. "If the affair, the divorce, and the failed deals become public, the damage won’t stop with you. It will hit Hale Group, Carter Group, and every investor tied to us."

He rested one hand on the edge of the desk.

"That division pays for our expansion, our security teams, and the Pack’s border patrols. If we lose it, we lose revenue, credibility, and the resources that keep this territory secure."

Alpha Sebastian stayed silent.

He knew Alpha Carter was right. A failing Alpha did not just lose money. He lost trust. Once Pack members began to doubt his ability to protect their homes and families, rival Alphas would test the borders.

Alpha Carter’s expression hardened before his tone suddenly eased.

"The board voted to keep you in place, but only under strict conditions."

Alpha Sebastian looked up.

"Keep the Snowmark partnership," Alpha Carter said. "And make sure Eira keeps the divorce private. Do both, and you may still have a way out."

There was no relief in Alpha Sebastian’s chest.

Alpha Carter stood and buttoned his coat.

"As for Eira, I told you years ago that you sometimes have to let go to get what you want. If you can’t stay away from her, send her somewhere far from the Pack’s spotlight."

He gave Alpha Sebastian one last look.

"When the timing is right, you can always try to win her back. Just keep the mess quiet until then."