Chapter 22 The Alpha Who Actually Showed Up 1

"Isabella has never respected me," Eira said, meeting Alpha Sebastian’s accusing stare. "I used to let it go. Then she put her hands on my friend."

Lila stepped forward. "I told your sister Eira was family. She called me another foster-care stray." Her voice sharpened on another. "Meaning this wasn’t the first time she’d used that line on Eira."

Alpha Sebastian’s gaze shifted to Isabella.

Lila was not finished. "Then Isabella shoved me. Eira warned her once. Your sister decided to test the warning."

"Sebastian, she’s twisting it!" Isabella pointed at her red cheek. "Eira hit me over one stupid comment."

"You shoved her first," Eira said.

The boutique manager nodded. "Security footage confirms Miss Hale made physical contact before Mrs. Hale responded."

The title landed hard.

Alpha Sebastian turned to Serena. "You asked them to call you that?"

Serena stepped forward. "There’s been a misunderstanding. I used Sebastian’s client account, and the staff made an assumption."

The manager hesitated. "The reservation specifically asked us to address you as Mrs. Hale."

Silence.

"It was easier than explaining," Serena said softly. "I didn’t think it mattered."

Eira almost laughed. Apparently, being his wife mattered only when Serena wanted the title.

Isabella cut in. "Who cares? Eira is still an ungrateful charity case. My brother gave her everything."

Lila gave her an almost cheerful smile.

"Quick question. Do you hear yourself when you talk, or is it just background noise in there?"

Isabella glared at her. "You think you’re funny?"

"No. I think you’re classist, cruel, and way too confident for someone currently losing an argument to security footage."

Eira covered a cough that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.

Isabella’s face went red.

"Why are you defending her?" she snapped. "She wears cheap clothes, never bothers with makeup, and spent four years waiting on my family. What could you possibly see in her?"

Lila’s smile disappeared.

"I’m not trying to get anything from her. I like her."

The simple answer landed harder than an insult.

"She’s smart. She’s kind. And she stepped in when you shoved me. Meanwhile, you’re standing in a private boutique insulting foster kids because your brother bought you a dress."

Isabella opened her mouth.

Lila held up one finger. "Before you keep going, remember the cameras record sound too."

That shut her up.

Serena stepped between them, wearing concern like a second outfit.

"Everyone’s upset. Isabella should apologize for what she said, and Eira should apologize for hitting her. Then we can put this behind us. I’ll explain everything to Sebastian."

Eira looked at her.

"Mrs. Hale, I don’t need you handling my marriage, my apology, or my consequences."

Serena’s expression hardened. "Do you hear how you sound?"

"Perfectly."

Alpha Sebastian turned to Eira. "Get your friend under control."

Eira’s mouth curved slightly.

"You’re not in a position to threaten her."

Alpha Sebastian frowned. He no longer recognized the woman standing in front of him.

Lila looked him over. "So you’re Sebastian Hale. CEO of Hale Group."

She waited a beat.

"Am I supposed to be impressed?"

"It should scare you," Isabella snapped. "My brother can make one call and bury your career."

Lila glanced around the boutique. "Hale Group wins a few contracts, and suddenly you think your family owns California. Adorable."

Isabella’s face darkened.

Eira stepped forward. "Apologize to her."

"Or what?"

"Or we let security footage, mall management, and your family’s lawyers decide what happens next."

"Eira." Alpha Sebastian’s voice hardened. "Stop threatening my sister."

"She shoved Lila and insulted both of us."

"Isabella lost her temper. You hit her."

"And that makes everything she did disappear?"

Serena touched Isabella’s arm. "Just apologize. We don’t need to make this worse."

Isabella pulled away.

"I’m not apologizing to either of them. If Serena were my brother’s wife, none of this —."

"Isabella." Alpha Sebastian cut her off with one sharp look.

"Apologize," Eira said again.

Isabella touched her burning cheek and stepped behind Alpha Sebastian. "She hit me, and now I’m supposed to apologize?"

"Yes," Lila said. "That’s usually what happens after you shove someone and insult them on camera."

Alpha Sebastian stepped between them. "Enough. Isabella shouldn’t have pushed you, but Eira crossed a line when she hit her. This ends now."

Lila stared at him. "You always this good at blaming the person who fights back?"

Alpha Sebastian’s expression cooled. "This is a family matter."

"No," Lila said. "The second your sister shoved me, it became my matter."

Isabella gave a sharp laugh. "You said you were calling your brother. Where is he? Did he chicken out?"

Lila checked the time on her phone. "He’s busy."

"Sure he is."

Before Lila could answer, the boutique manager’s phone rang.

She listened for three seconds, then straightened.

"Yes. Understood."

Two mall security officers appeared outside the locked glass doors. Behind them stood four men in dark suits, each wearing a small silver-wolf pin.

The manager’s face changed.

Sterling security.

The lead officer entered first. "Miss Reed?"

The boutique went silent.

Lila raised one hand. "That’s me."

Isabella stared at her.

Alpha Sebastian’s eyes narrowed.

Serena recovered first, but her grip tightened around her purse.

The manager looked down at the client profile on her tablet.

The private appointment had been booked under Lila Reed.

Reed had not meant much to her at first. There were plenty of Reeds in California.

But the Reed Pack in Washington, D.C., was something else entirely.

Old blood. Deep ties to the North American Pack Council. Senior members who traveled with trained Pack enforcers and enough political protection to make powerful Alphas think twice.

They were not simply wealthy.

They were protected.

The manager looked at Lila again.

Isabella glared at Eira and Lila.

"Fine. Let’s take this outside and settle it."

"There’s nothing to settle. "The low voice came from the entrance.

Everyone turned.

Alpha Killian walked into the boutique with Miles behind him. Four Sterling enforcers remained outside the glass doors.

His silver-gray eyes swept over the room. Isabella’s red cheek. Serena standing beside Alpha Sebastian. Eira near Lila.

Then his gaze settled on the faint mark around Lila’s shoulder where Isabella had shoved her.

The air turned cold.

Lila’s face lit up. She caught Eira’s hand and pulled her closer.

"Perfect. You’re here."

She pointed at Isabella.

"She shoved me and called us foster-care strays."

Then she pointed at Serena.

"She booked the appointment as Mrs. Hale."

Finally, she looked at Alpha Sebastian.

"And he thinks this is all a family matter, so apparently none of it counts."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression changed.

Killian Sterling.

Miles stood behind him. Sterling security controlled the entrance.

The pieces clicked into place.

Lila Reed was Lila Sterling, Alpha Killian’s younger sister.

Serena recognized Alpha Killian immediately. She had once bragged about meeting him, and now the color drained from her face.

Isabella only saw another well-dressed Alpha entering with security.

"Who are you?" Isabella demanded.

"Enough," Alpha Sebastian snapped. "That’s Alpha Killian Sterling."

The name hit harder than Eira’s slap.

Isabella froze.

Sterling Pack sat at the top of the West Coast hierarchy. Hale Pack had only recently reached the second tier.

Her brother could threaten employees.

He could not threaten Alpha Killian Sterling’s sister.

The color drained from her face.