Chapter 38 The Woman He Never Saw

Eira tilted her head and answered quietly.

"His very close old friend. The kind he sleeps with."

At that moment, Isabella came up the steps with her arm looped through Alpha Sebastian’s.

Her face lit up at the grand entrance. Beside her, Alpha Sebastian wore his usual polished smile. In his tailored black suit, he looked ready for a photo spread in the society pages.

His gaze started to drift toward Eira.

She turned away.

Professor Davies caught on immediately. He stepped up one stair and shifted in front of her, blocking her from view.

Alpha Sebastian glanced over, but guests crowded the steps. He noticed Professor Davies and Claire, gave them no more than a passing glance, and continued inside with Isabella.

The attendant scanned his invitation.

"Welcome, Mr. Hale. You’re all set."

Alpha Sebastian disappeared through the doors without realizing his wife had been standing only a few feet away.

Claire watched him go, her earlier excitement gone.

Professor Davies lowered his voice. "So everyone at the institute had it right."

"No. Apparently, adultery is the one commitment he takes seriously."

His mouth tightened. "Do you need a minute?"

Eira gathered her skirt.

"For him? I’ve already wasted four years."

She lifted her chin and continued up the steps.

--

The hotel’s grand ballroom had been dressed for a red-carpet gala. Chandeliers glittered above the marble floor while investors, researchers, and industry leaders worked the room in tuxedos and evening gowns.

Eira had attended a similar event with Alaric and Beatrice years ago. She had spent the evening hiding behind a column and left as soon as etiquette allowed.

Tonight, she found another quiet corner.

"I’m going to sit for a minute," she told Professor Davies and Claire.

The heels were gorgeous. Her feet had already filed a complaint.

She had barely settled onto a bench when Lila hurried over. "Eira! I knew it was you."

"From across the room?"

"From behind."

Alpha Sebastian had walked right past his own wife. Lila had recognized her at once.

"How?"

Lila shrugged. "Different hair, same scent. Plus, you still stand like someone’s about to dump a five-alarm disaster in your lap and call it a tiny favor."

Eira moved over. "Sit."

Lila dropped beside her and took one long look.

"Okay. Damn."

"It’s a dress, Lila."

"No, I’m wearing a dress. You look like you own the hotel and might fire anyone who asks for proof."

Eira glanced down at the lace. "That seems unlikely."

"The gown is perfect, the pearls are classy, and your eyes are doing something unfair in this lighting." Lila shook her head. "You’re all soft and elegant, but you still look like you could destroy a man’s career before dessert."

"That is oddly specific."

"And completely accurate."

"Thank you. I think."

Lila kept staring.

"What?" Eira asked.

"I’m adjusting. You usually look ready to pull an all-nighter in a lab. Tonight, you look like the reason half this room forgot what they were saying."

Eira laughed.

"There she is." Lila opened her arms. "Come here. Mandatory friend hug."

Before Eira could object, Lila pulled her into a tight hug.

Eira stiffened. She still was not used to affection that came without strings attached.

"You look amazing," Lila declared. "You smell expensive, and hugging you is doing wonders for my social status."

"Is that the real reason?"

"Mostly. The rest is emotional support."

Despite herself, Eira relaxed into the hug.

--

Across the ballroom, Alpha Killian noticed his sister practically climbing over someone on a bench.

"Of course," he muttered.

He started toward her.

Then Lila straightened, revealing the woman in her arms.

Alpha Killian stopped.

The lace gown skimmed Eira’s figure and fell in soft folds around her legs. Pearls glowed at her throat, and her low chignon left the graceful line of her neck bare.

But it was not the dress that held his attention.

It was Eira herself.

She was laughing at something Lila had said, her usual reserve briefly gone. Beneath the chandeliers, her blue eyes looked brighter, and the warmth in her face made her seem softer than the quiet, composed woman who worked at his side in Sterling Tower.

Elegant. Composed. Almost untouchable.

"Is that Ms. Crawford?" Miles asked beside him.

"Yes."

Alpha Killian answered without looking away.

His body had already shifted in her direction when Miles cleared his throat.

"Alpha, the potential project partner is waiting. This is our only chance to meet with him tonight."

Alpha Killian’s jaw tightened.

He looked at Eira for one second longer.

Then he turned away.

"Let’s go."

--

Serena Winthrop stepped from her car in a wine-red mermaid gown. Rubies flashed at her throat and wrists, and her dark hair fell in polished waves over her bare shoulders.

She had dressed to turn heads.

It worked.

Several guests looked over as she searched the entrance for Alpha Sebastian. When she failed to find him, she sent a text.

His reply came at once.

Sebastian: Meeting an important contact. Go on in. I’ll find you.

So much for making an entrance together.

Serena hid her annoyance and climbed the steps alone.

The attendant scanned her invitation.

"Dr. Serena Winthrop. Welcome. Your grandfather is one of tonight’s honored guests."

"He’ll be here soon."

"Of course. Enjoy your evening."

The Winthrop name opened doors. Within minutes, investors and researchers had gathered around her.

"How is your grandfather?"

"Very well, thank you."

"I heard you recently returned from overseas."

"I did. I’m working on a new research project now."

"What kind?"

Serena took a glass of champagne from a passing tray.

"We’re keeping the details under wraps for now."

That was enough. The group heard major funding, restricted access, and powerful connections.

Business cards appeared. So did lunch invitations and offers to "stay in touch."

Serena handled them with an easy smile until she spotted Professor Davies and Claire across the ballroom.

"Excuse me. I see someone I need to speak with."

She crossed the room.

Professor Davies noticed her approach and settled into a polite, professional expression.

"Dr. Winthrop."

Claire quickly finished her canapé. "Hi, Dr. Winthrop."

"Please, call me Serena. Dr. Winthrop makes me sound like my grandfather."

Professor Davies did not take the hint.

"What can we do for you, Dr. Winthrop?"

Her smile tightened.

"Is Dr. Crawford here?"

If Professor Davies and Claire had come, Dr. Crawford was probably nearby.

Serena had spent days trying to meet the researcher who always managed to stay one step ahead of her.

Tonight, she planned to find her.