Chapter 40 The Wife He Underestimated

Serena’s expression darkened, but too many people were watching for her to lose her cool.

"So Sebastian brought you after all."

Eira let her believe it.

Serena’s gaze dropped to the pearls. "A little safe for tonight, don’t you think? I’m surprised Sebastian didn’t pick something with more impact."

Lila gave a short laugh.

"Those are perfectly matched South Sea pearls. It’s called quiet luxury. Not everything has to scream across the room for attention."

Her gaze flicked briefly over Serena’s red gown and rubies.

The insult landed. Ethan looked down, hiding a smile, while his date suddenly became very interested in her champagne.

Serena’s eyes narrowed. "I don’t remember asking you."

"No, but you were embarrassing yourself in public. I figured I’d help."

Ethan’s date nudged him when his attention returned to Eira.

"Stop staring," she muttered.

"She’s Sebastian’s wife," he said. "I’m allowed to be surprised."

Serena’s smile tightened at the word wife.

She turned on Lila. "Be careful. Eira has a lot more experience playing these games than you do."

Lila smiled. "Was that advice? Cute."

Eira glanced at Serena. "She does have seniority."

Lila caught on immediately.

"Good point. We should always listen to our elders."

A woman standing nearby covered a laugh with her glass. Serena heard it. Heat climbed into her cheeks.

Eira and Lila turned to leave, but Serena stepped closer.

"Don’t look so pleased with yourself. Four years of marriage, and this is the first time Alpha Sebastian has taken you anywhere."

Eira met her glare.

"And after all these years, he still introduces you as a friend." Her gaze moved briefly over Serena’s face. "Sounds like neither of us won much."

Serena’s expression hardened.

"He may not touch you, but he can’t keep his hands off me."

Eira remained unmoved.

"You slept with a married man. That’s not the flex you think it is."

Ethan coughed into his fist, but this time it did nothing to hide his laugh. Even his date’s lips twitched.

Serena glanced around. Several guests were openly watching now, though none were close enough to hear every word.

"You really don’t care?" she whispered.

"About keeping him?" Eira linked her arm through Lila’s. "No."

She took one step, then paused.

"You wanted him, Serena. You can have him."

Serena’s fingers tightened around her clutch.

Eira’s eyes dropped to them before returning to her face.

"But if you’d really won, you wouldn’t be this scared of me showing up."

Serena went still.

That was the part she could not deny.

Eira walked away with Lila on her arm. Behind them, the conversation around Serena slowly resumed, but the curious glances did not stop.

Lila held herself together until they were safely out of earshot.

"Okay," Lila said. "That was beautiful. No notes."

"You were the one insulting her jewelry."

"I corrected her jewelry knowledge. Totally different."

Eira gave her a look.

Lila lifted the champagne flute in her hand.

"Give me five minutes and this glass. I can turn their affair into the hottest story in the room."

"Do you want to hijack the gala your brother spent months organizing?"

Lila considered it.

"How attached is he to the current program?"

"Lila."

"Fine." She sighed. "No public scandal."

"Then leave it alone."

--

The moment Eira and Lila were out of earshot, Ethan pulled out his phone.

Ethan: Seb, your Luna and Serena just went a few rounds.

Alpha Sebastian had just stepped out of a private meeting room. He stared at the message.

He had not brought Eira to the expo.

How could the two women have crossed paths?

Sebastian: Eira is there?

Ethan: Kind of hard to miss her.

Sebastian: Who brought her?

Ethan: No idea. She’s been with Lila Sterling all night.

Alpha Sebastian frowned.

Ethan: And your wife is actually working the room. Didn’t know she had it in her.

His frown deepened.

Sebastian: Stay out of it.

Ethan: Gladly. You’ve got enough problems without borrowing mine.

Alpha Sebastian pocketed his phone.

Lila Sterling had been with Eira all evening.

His first thought was Alpha Killian.

--

Alpha Killian emerged from the meeting room just as Alpha Sebastian pocketed his phone.

"Impressive," Alpha Killian said. "You actually got Dr. Shaw to vouch for you."

Alpha Sebastian gave him a tight smile.

"Some of us have to build our own connections. Others are born with an entire Pack’s contact list."

Alpha Killian’s expression stayed cool. "Careful, Hale. Taking shots at my family won’t make yours any more impressive."

"At least I don’t bring another Alpha’s wife to a gala."

That told Alpha Killian everything he needed to know.

Eira had not come with Alpha Sebastian.

But she had entered with a black-and-gold invitation, not a standard project pass. Alpha Killian had not sent it, and Dr. Thorne—the only other obvious connection with that level of access—wasn’t attending tonight.

So who had put her on the VIP list?

Interesting.

Alpha Sebastian clearly knew even less about his wife than Alpha Killian had thought.

A faint smile touched Alpha Killian’s mouth.

"You showed up planning to escort another woman, but you’re worried about who brought your wife?"

"That’s not what I said."

"You didn’t have to."

Alpha Killian walked past him.

Miles fell into step beside him. "Sir, I just spoke with Miss Sterling."

"And?"

"She took Dr. Crawford to meet your parents."

Alpha Killian stopped.

"Of course she did."

He changed direction and headed straight for the ballroom.

By the time Alpha Killian found them, his mother was already talking to Eira.

"Lila tells me you’re Alpha Killian’s executive assistant."

"Yes, Luna Sterling."

Eira stood straight, every word polite and careful.

Luna Seraphina smiled. "Please, call me Seraphina. ’Luna Sterling’ makes this sound like a Pack council hearing."

A small smile touched Eira’s lips. "All right."

Luna Seraphina opened her mouth to ask another question.

"Mom."

Alpha Killian stepped between them before the conversation turned into a full background check.