Chapter 216 The Legal Notice

"No," Eira said.

This time, she did not look back.

It was not that she did not want to hear Sam’s voice. She wanted to more than anything. But if Sam heard her through Alpha Sebastian’s phone, he might believe the lie even more.

Natalie walked beside her, smart enough not to ask questions.

The revolving doors opened onto a cold, rainy night. Miles waited at the curb beneath a wide black umbrella, the town car idling nearby.

Eira slipped into the back seat and lowered the window a few inches. Cool rain misted her face before she rolled it back up.

Miles turned on the heat.

"Are we heading straight back to Southridge, or do you want to make a quick stop?" he asked.

"Cake first."

Natalie grinned. "Now that sounds like a birthday plan."

Then she paused. "Wait. Is today actually your birthday? Alpha Sebastian made it sound like some grand romantic surprise."

"Not according to my birth certificate." Eira watched the rain slide down the window. "I celebrate on the day of the first snow in the Klamath Mountains."

Natalie opened her mouth to reply, but Eira’s phone rang.

The caller ID showed Beatrice.

"Eira, sweetheart, are you free tomorrow?" Beatrice asked. "I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever. Are you buried in work again?"

"I’m free. I have to leave for the airport in the afternoon, though."

"Of course you do. You always have somewhere to be."

"I’m trying to slow down."

"Sure you are." Beatrice paused. "I’ll have the kitchen make your favorite dishes tomorrow. You’re staying for lunch. We’ll celebrate your birthday before you leave."

Eira blinked. "How did you know?"

"Alaric told me. He figured it out the year before he died. He said he’d seen you buy one of those little triangular mousse cakes whenever the first snow came to Klamath."

Eira’s lips curved."I’ll come by first thing tomorrow."

"Good. I’ll see you then. And don’t skip breakfast."

"I won’t."

"Eira."

She sighed. "I’ll eat breakfast."

"That’s better. Good night, sweetheart."

"Good night, Beatrice ."

The call ended.

A little after eight-thirty, Miles pulled into a bakery that was still open. He returned with the cakes Eira had ordered and handed Natalie her box.

"Eat it," he said, giving her a serious look. "Don’t post it, and don’t let Alpha Killian spot strawberries on your social media."

Natalie blinked. "You’re worried he’ll find out I ate cake?"

"I’m worried he’ll decide you’re ignoring your nutrition plan again."

Natalie tucked the box against her chest. "It’s one piece of cake."

"You said that about the last three."

She sighed. "Fine. I’ll eat it in private like a criminal."

Eira glanced at her. "You’re being dramatic."

"You’ve never seen Alpha Killian react to a bad nutrition report."

Miles pulled away from the curb. "You two are impossible."

They dropped Natalie off first. By the time Miles pulled up outside Southridge Estates, it was a little after nine.

"Alpha Killian lands at ten," he said. "I’m heading to SFO to pick him up."

Eira studied him for a moment.

"Drive safe."

"I will. Try to get some sleep."

"I’ll try."

Miles smiled, then drove away.

--

Mrs. Jones looked up as Eira came through the door with several bakery boxes.

"You brought dessert?"

"Just a few cakes."

Mrs. Jones took one of the boxes and peeked inside. A small plaque on the lid read Happy Birthday, Eira.

She looked up. "Wait. Is it your birthday?"

"Apparently."

"Apparently?" Mrs. Jones repeated. "You’re the birthday girl, and that’s all you’ve got?"

"I wasn’t planning on making a big deal out of it."

"Too late." Mrs. Jones took another box from her. "Come on. Help me set the table."

"Mrs. Jones, you really don’t have to do all that. We’re not going to finish everything."

"I already made dinner. You’re eating it."

"Something light, please."

"There’s chicken, pasta, and vegetables. I’m not letting you live on cake."

"I wasn’t planning to."

"Good. Then we agree."

Mrs. Jones carried the boxes toward the kitchen, then stopped.

"Lila needs to come over."

"She’s probably still at the lab."

"Then I’ll call her."

"I can call her."

Mrs. Jones pulled out her phone. "I have her number, sweetheart. I can handle this."

Before Eira could argue, the call connected.

"Mrs. Jones?" Lila answered, sounding exhausted. "Why are you calling me this late?"

"You sound awful."

"I feel awful. My advisor has me running another round of tests."

"How much longer?"

"Ten minutes. Maybe fifteen if he finds another problem to throw at me."

"Come to Southridge when you’re done."

"Why?"

"It’s Eira’s birthday."

There was a beat of silence.

"Wait. Today?"

"That’s usually how birthdays work."

"Why didn’t anyone tell me?"

"I’m telling you now."

"I’m coming."

"You don’t have to rush."

"I’m not rushing. I’m done for tonight. My dissertation’s approved. The lab can survive without me until morning."

"Bring a coat."

"I’ll be there. Save me some cake."

"Your piece is already waiting."

"Mrs. Jones, you’re my favorite person."

"You say that every time I feed you."

"And I mean it every time."

The call ended.

Eira laughed softly. "She’s really coming?"

"She’ll be here before we cut the cake."

"Then I’ll wait."

--

Across town, Alpha Sebastian watched Soren’s car disappear into traffic before getting into his own.

Jordan was still stuck at the office, so Alpha Sebastian had to drive himself. He had barely pulled away from the curb when Serena started calling.

Once. Twice. Again.

His phone kept lighting up until he finally answered, more annoyed than concerned.

"Sebastian, Eira sent me a legal notice." Serena sounded close to panic. "She had it delivered to my grandfather’s estate. He opened it himself and sent a car for me. Sebastian, that money was the investment you gave me, right?"

"You know exactly what that money was."

"I’m not worried about myself." Her voice grew shakier. "But if this goes to court, it could ruin your career and damage your standing with the Pack. What happens to your position as Alpha?"

Alpha Sebastian frowned.

Something about her tone felt off. She sounded less worried about him than she did about saving herself.

"Even if you don’t care what happens to me, think about your future," Serena continued, softening her voice. "Think about our baby. You can’t let this become public."

That made him even more suspicious.

"Eira sent me a notice too," he said. "She wants the full amount repaid within ten days."

Serena went silent.

"Six days are already gone," Sebastian continued. "That leaves us four days to come up with the money."

Her breathing changed.

Four days.

Was Eira out of her mind?

Ten days was an aggressive deadline for a demand of this size. It left them barely enough time to respond, let alone liquidate assets, move funds, and come up with more than a hundred million dollars.

And if Eira planned to take them to court, why give them any warning at all?

"Sebastian," Serena said carefully, "you have to do something."

"I’m working on it."

"No. You need to fix this before my grandfather gets involved."

"Your grandfather is already involved."

The line went quiet again.

Alpha Sebastian ended the call and tightened his grip on the steering wheel. He had no idea what Eira was planning, but she had chosen her target carefully.

She had not sent the notice to Serena’s apartment or her office. She had sent it straight to the Winthrop estate, where the family patriarch would see it before Serena had a chance to hide it.