Chapter 201 Jealous Alpha

Logan caught the change in Lainey at once. It wasn’t Alpha Killian choosing Eira that had shaken her. It was learning that Eira was an orphan.

He had noticed the resemblance earlier. Something in Eira’s features reminded him of Henry Crawford.

But Vincent, Henry’s own son, had shown no sign of recognition, so Logan had dismissed it as a coincidence.

Now he wasn’t so sure.

After Vincent disappeared through airport security, Logan turned to Lainey.

"You noticed it too, didn’t you?"

Her pulse jumped. "Noticed what?"

"Eira looks like someone."

Lainey held his gaze. "Who?"

Logan almost said Henry. Then common sense kicked in. Suggesting that a prominent Alpha might have a daughter no one knew about was a good way to get himself blacklisted by half the Packs on the East Coast.

"I can’t place it," he said. "Probably just one of those faces."

"Probably."

Neither of them believed that.

As they headed toward the parking garage, Lainey pulled out her phone.

She needed to look into Eira’s past before anyone else connected the dots.

--

Upstairs, Eira ordered roast chicken, braised short ribs, seasonal vegetables, and enough sides for the table. She also asked the server to bring out whatever was ready first.

Lila glanced around the private dining room. "How did you find this place?"

"We had Dr. Shaw’s birthday dinner here. The food’s good, and Miles has been living on airport snacks and takeout for days."

Miles placed a hand over his heart. "Someone finally sees me."

Alpha Killian gave him a cool look.

"Still worth it," Miles said. "I can’t eat another airport sandwich."

Eira smiled. "You earned a real meal."

"I was only doing what Alpha Killian asked."

"I know." Her eyes shifted to Alpha Killian. "I owe him too."

Alpha Killian held her gaze for a moment. Something warm and possessive flickered in his silver-gray eyes before he reached for his water.

The first dishes arrived, filling the room with the smell of rosemary, roasted garlic, and warm sourdough. Once everyone had food, Susan returned to business.

"Vincent and Fiona recognized me downstairs," Susan said. "They’ll probably figure out you’re going after the money."

Eira cut into her chicken. "That’s fine. Sebastian knows I want a full accounting. He just doesn’t think I can prove anything."

Lila looked up from her mashed potatoes. "Can Serena still claim the money was for research?"

"She can try," Susan said. "But the records tell a different story. If she used fake invoices to cover personal spending, she may have a fraud problem too."

Lila raised her hand across the table. Eira laughed and gave her a quick high five.

Alpha Killian quietly poured her a bowl of chicken soup and slid it across the table.

"Thanks." Eira smiled at him.

The sight caught him off guard.

When Alpha Killian had first met Eira, she had been crying. After that, she had kept everyone at a careful distance. She had spent years as a lone Omega without a wolf or a Pack to protect her, and that caution had become second nature.

It had taken months for her to smile this easily around him.

Sebastian had once seen that smile every day.

The thought left a bitter taste in Alpha Killian’s mouth. He drained his water.

Lila caught him reaching for the bottle again. "Are you planning to leave any water for the rest of us?"

Alpha Killian ignored her.

"The food isn’t that salty," Eira said.

Miles lowered his eyes to hide a smile. Susan suddenly became very interested in her wine.

Alpha Killian pushed the soup closer to Eira. "Eat before it gets cold."

She took a sip, and the warm broth finally brought back her appetite.

--

After dinner, Alpha Killian turned to Miles. "Take the next three days off. Put them down as comp time."

Miles grinned. "Thanks, Alpha. I’ll try not to check my email."

"Don’t try. Just stay offline."

Susan and Miles left together. The moment they were gone, Lila linked her arm through Eira’s.

"Sleepover at Number Nine?"

"Sure."

"Perfect." Lila started pulling her toward the parking lot.

"Eira."

Alpha Killian’s voice stopped them.

She looked back.

"I’ll drive you home," he said, nodding toward his SUV.

"I came with Lila."

"And she can ride with us."

Lila gave him a knowing look. "Smooth."

"What about your Mustang?" Eira asked.

Alpha Killian held out his hand. "Keys. One of my security guys will bring it over."

Lila stared at him. "And who’s driving us?"

"I am."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Killian Sterling is driving me home himself? Should I take a picture, or will that hurt your brand?"

"Keys, Lila."

Laughing, she dropped them into his palm. Alpha Killian passed them to one of the Pack security officers waiting near the entrance.

He got behind the wheel. Eira took the passenger seat, and Lila climbed into the back.

As Eira buckled up, Lila leaned between the front seats.

"We should stop for ice cream. Then we can put on that true-crime series when we get home."

Alpha Killian caught the shoulder of her leather jacket and eased her back.

"Seat belt."

Lila dropped into her seat with a huff. "You know, normal people say please."

"Normal people don’t crawl into the front seat."

"We’re still parked."

Alpha Killian started the engine. "Not anymore."

Lila buckled up, caught Eira’s eye in the rearview mirror, and mouthed, Control freak.

Eira pressed her lips together to hide a laugh.

Alpha Killian had not even won her over yet, and he was already guarding the passenger seat like contested Pack territory.

If they ever became mates, Lila suspected every unmated wolf in California would need security clearance just to say hello.