Chapter 212 Play the Long Game

Outside, Eira climbed into the waiting SUV. She took a long drink of water, then pulled out her phone.

The recording was still running.

She stopped it and sent the file to a group chat titled Case Prep. The members were Eira, Alpha Killian, Susan, and Miles.

Alpha Killian had created the chat before she entered the café. His only instruction had been simple.

Record everything.

That was why Eira had kept her temper under control. She had not walked away with a public argument. She had walked away with a recording, several useful admissions, and a clearer picture of Alpha Sebastian’s plan.

Miles replied first. A document appeared in the chat.

Miles: The recording is transcribed. I flagged the key points. Review it when you can.

A second message followed.

Miles: Beta Jordan has been out of contact for two weeks. He’s probably the one handling Sam’s situation near the Klamath territory.

Susan replied a moment later.

Susan: A minor’s name change can move quickly when the legal guardian requests it, especially in a remote Pack. If Sam is over fifteen, we may have about a week to challenge it. If he’s younger, the paperwork may already be complete.

Eira started typing, then deleted the message.

She tried again.

Eira: The lawsuit can wait. Finding Sam comes first. This is not over.

Susan: Understood. I’ll look into emergency relief and temporary guardianship options.

Another message appeared.

Killian: Snowmark’s regional lead is Soren. He hasn’t met Natalie yet. Have her go with you tonight.

Miles replied almost immediately.

Miles: I’ll drive.

The plan came together in less than a minute. Dinner with Soren. Miles on transportation. Susan working on the legal route. Alpha Killian handling the Pack side.

For the first time since Alpha Sebastian mentioned Sam, the tightness in Eira’s chest began to ease.

Alpha Sebastian had tried to isolate her by hiding the boy behind new paperwork, a new address, and a family she could not reach.

He had forgotten one thing.

Eira was no longer facing him alone.

Her phone buzzed again. This time, the message was private.

Killian: I’m flying back to the Bay Area tonight.

Eira stared at the screen.

The words felt strangely familiar. Alpha Sebastian had once promised to come home in almost the same way.

She typed a reply, deleted it, then tried again.

Eira: What time do you land?

Killian: 10:10 p.m. SFO. International Terminal.

Eira checked the time. By the time Alpha Killian cleared customs, picked up his luggage, and drove from San Francisco to Palo Alto, it would be close to midnight.

He had probably eaten on the flight, but she knew he would still be exhausted and hungry after the long trip.

She drove back to Southridge and found Mrs. Jones in the kitchen.

"Could you prepare something for Killian?" Eira asked. "He’ll be getting back late tonight. Please have it sent over to Number One."

Mrs. Jones’s face lit up.

"Alpha Killian is coming home?"

"After ten. He’ll probably be exhausted by the time he gets here."

"I’ll make something warm and easy to reheat. What about you?"

"I’m not sure when I’ll be back. I have plans tonight."

Mrs. Jones paused. "Plans?"

"Yes."

"At this hour?" Her expression tightened. "Where are Miles and Natalie?"

"They’re coming with me."

"And with Alpha Killian still out of town, you shouldn’t be going anywhere without backup. Especially after dark."

"It isn’t Sterling business."

Mrs. Jones studied her face. Eira was clearly leaving something out, but Mrs. Jones knew better than to push when she used that tone.

"All right," she said. "I’ll send his dinner over and keep a plate here for you, just in case."

"That would be great. Thank you."

"Keep your phone on."

"I will."

Eira went upstairs to change.

She did not dress for a date. She chose a black silk blouse, a fitted charcoal blazer, and tailored trousers that fell neatly over her heels. The outfit was polished and professional without looking flashy. She finished with a slim gold watch and a pair of small pearl earrings.

She wasn’t going to the dinner as Alpha Sebastian’s Luna. She was going as the renowned Dr. Crawford.

--

At six, a black SUV pulled up outside the Number Nine gate.

Miles was behind the wheel. Natalie sat in the passenger seat wearing a navy pantsuit, low heels, and a discreet Sterling Group pin tucked inside her blazer. She looked like a sharp executive assistant, not a security escort.

That was exactly the point.

Natalie held out a paper coffee cup. "I got you a black coffee. No sugar."

"Thanks."

Eira took the cup.

Natalie gave her outfit a quick once-over. "Very Dr. Crawford. Very untouchable."

"That’s the goal."

Natalie took a sip from her own coffee. "Tonight, I’m your assistant. I’ll manage your schedule, keep Alpha Sebastian from cornering you, and cut off anyone who tries to get you drunk."

"I doubt anyone will try that."

"People with expensive watches and bad intentions always think they’re charming."

Miles adjusted his glasses and glanced at them through the rearview mirror.

"While you’re there, get Soren’s direct contact information. Not his assistant’s number. His personal business line."

Eira nodded. "I’ll handle it."

The Snowmark project was expected to run for months, possibly years. Their search for Sam could not wait that long.

If Snowmark learned that Alpha Sebastian had hidden the divorce while using Eira’s name to secure the partnership, Soren and the rest of the executive team would be furious.

They had not agreed to be dragged into a private marital scandal or used as part of Alpha Sebastian’s cover story.

Whether the Snowmark deal could survive the evening was another question entirely.