Chapter 218 Something to Wear for Fun

"What do you mean, ...us’?" Alpha Victor’s brow furrowed. "What does the Winthrop family need from Sebastian Hale? Does that arrogant CEO think he can buy his way into this family?"

Serena let out a quiet breath.

Thank God. He had missed what she meant.

Alpha Victor tapped the deadline on the legal notice.

"Ten days. If that money isn’t returned, Eira’s attorney will take this to court. One hundred eighteen million dollars, Serena. Where do you think we’re going to find that kind of money?"

Tears spilled down Serena’s cheeks. "Grandfather, you’ve never spoken to me like this."

"Crying won’t fix anything." For the first time in her life, Alpha Victor did not soften. "And don’t think you can wash your hands of this. The notice was served on Sebastian too. The money came from his marriage, but you were the one who received it."

"So I’m not the only person responsible."

"That is not the good news you think it is."

He set the notice on his desk.

"You and Sebastian are meeting with Eira tomorrow. You’re going to settle this before it ever reaches a courtroom."

Serena’s lips parted.

A settlement was not the problem. She could not cover even half the amount, no matter what she sold. Was there really no way to make Alpha Sebastian pay the whole thing? She was carrying his child, for God’s sake.

"Grandfather..."

"Tomorrow." His tone left no room for argument. "And if you can’t handle something this serious, don’t call yourself my granddaughter again."

The words hit her like ice water.

Without Alpha Victor’s name behind her, Serena was nobody. Just another pretty face waiting to be used, discarded, and replaced the moment she stopped being useful.

"I’ll go," she said quickly. "First thing tomorrow."

Agree now. Find a way out later.

She wiped her cheeks and glanced toward the door.

"It’s late. I should go home."

She needed to leave before anyone noticed how hard it was becoming to hide her pregnancy.

"You’re staying here tonight."

Alpha Victor did not move.

"The driver will take you to Eira in the morning. I don’t care what you have to do to get her to agree. Apologize. Beg if you have to. Just keep this out of court."

"Beg her?" Serena’s stomach twisted. The idea of begging Eira was humiliating.

Alpha Victor saw the defiance in her face, and his expression turned cold.

"If this goes to trial, I’ll start over with someone else."

Serena stared at him.

The meaning was clear. He would cut her off. No more money. No more favors. No more carefully arranged opportunities.

"Grandfather!"

"Your choice."

Alpha Victor walked out, leaving Serena alone in the study with the legal notice and the deadline hanging over her.

--

Meanwhile, Alpha Killian stepped off the plane and checked his phone. A string of messages from Natalie was waiting.

[Alpha, it’s Dr. Crawford’s birthday. You land at 10:10. Less than two hours until midnight. Better move.]

Option A: Money.

Option B: Yourself.

Option C: Money and yourself.

Alpha Killian’s silver-gray eyes paused on the words Eira’s birthday.

"It’s Eira’s birthday," he said to Kate as they walked through the private terminal. "I have less than two hours left."

Kate understood the assignment at once. Alpha Killian wanted to surprise Eira, and he wanted to do it tonight.

"With your resources, you could have almost anything delivered within the hour," she said. "But money probably isn’t the issue. The wrong gift could make her uncomfortable."

Alpha Killian slowed and glanced at her. "Go on."

"Whatever you give her will mean more if you choose it yourself." Kate paused. "If you need an example of what not to do, look at Sebastian Hale."

The advice echoed something his mother had told him once.

Alpha Killian gave a quiet hum. By then, an idea had already begun to take shape.

Miles was waiting outside the VIP terminal with the car door open.

"Southridge. Number Nine," Alpha Killian said.

"Got it."

As they pulled away from the airfield, Alpha Killian glanced at him. "How was Eira’s night?"

Miles had not attended the reception, but Natalie had given him the full rundown during the drive. He knew Alpha Killian would ask.

He walked Alpha Killian through the night’s highlights, from Alpha Sebastian’s over-the-top husband act to Eira turning every move back on him and walking away with the crowd on her side.

Alpha Killian’s smile deepened.

Eira had finally shown Alpha Sebastian her teeth, and she had avoided every trap he set for her.

The car pulled up outside Southridge. Rain tapped against the windshield, shining beneath the porch lights. Alpha Killian stepped out without waiting for an umbrella and headed for the front door.

It stood slightly open.

He knocked once.

"That must be him," Mrs. Jones called from inside.

"My brother’s here," Lila added.

Alpha Killian pushed the door open.

Everyone turned, including the two dogs stretched out on the rug.

Eira looked over her shoulder. A smear of blueberry frosting marked one cheek.

The moment Alpha Killian came closer, she felt the chill clinging to him from outside. Raindrops still glistened in his dark hair.

She picked up the plate with the last slice of cake and held it out to him.

"Yours, Killian."

His silver-gray eyes settled on the cake. "You saved me a piece?"

She nodded.

"I cut it into four slices the second she started serving it," Mrs. Jones said. "That one’s been waiting for you."

Lila nodded from across the table. "She guarded it like her life depended on it."

Alpha Killian took the plate. Then he ran one finger through the frosting and touched it to the tip of Eira’s nose.

She blinked at him.

"Happy birthday."

Before she could wipe away the frosting, Alpha Killian pulled a fine antique-gold chain from his pocket.

A single wolf fang hung from it, polished smooth with age, its base wrapped in aged gold. A tiny dark-red stone was set into the gold. Beneath the stone, fine lines had been worked into the metal, forming a small emblem that was easy to mistake for decoration.

"It’s old," Alpha Killian said. "I thought you might like it."

Eira turned the pendant over in her fingers. She had never seen anything quite like it.

Lila leaned closer, narrowing her eyes at the metal.[Wait. Is that the Sterling Pack’s crest?]