Chapter 43 May I Have This Dance?

Kate stared at the blurry video on her phone with the guilty expression of someone who had just stumbled onto the scandal of the year.

Miles walked over. "What did you do?"

She quickly locked the screen. "Why do you always assume I did something?"

"Because you look like you just got caught red-handed."

Kate glanced around, then pulled him closer.

"I caught Alpha Hale and Dr. Winthrop making out on the terrace."

Miles stared at her. "You’re kidding."

She played the video.

The footage was shaky, but Alpha Sebastian and Serena were easy to recognize. The audio was even clearer.

Miles lowered his voice. "Please tell me you didn’t stand there filming the whole thing."

"Would you rather I’d walked over and asked them to smile for the camera?"

Natalie joined them. "What’s going on?"

Kate showed her the clip.

Natalie’s face turned cold. "So much for Serena being ’just a friend.’"

"I’m sending this to Eira," Kate said.

"Not tonight," Miles replied. "She’s already been through enough."

Kate frowned. "Then what do we do with it?"

"Send me a copy. It happened at a Sterling event, so Alpha Sterling needs to know. You can give Eira the original after the gala."

Kate sent him the file.

Miles checked that it had arrived and headed for the private meeting rooms.

He had barely made it down the hall when he ran into Luna Seraphina and Lila.

"Luna Sterling. Ms. Sterling."

"Hello, Miles." Luna Seraphina’s smile was pleasant, but her next question was anything but casual. "How is Eira settling in as Killian’s assistant?"

Miles immediately understood what she was really asking.

"She’s quiet, but she’s extremely sharp. She caught a serious mistake in the technical section of a proposal before it reached a potential partner. She saved the team from a very expensive embarrassment."

Luna Seraphina looked impressed.

"Quiet and capable," she said. "A little like Killian."

Lila laughed. "Not when they’re together. Eira actually argues with him."

Miles nodded. "She also tells him no, which is still a new experience for him."

Luna Seraphina’s eyebrows rose.

"And how does Killian take that?"

"Better than anyone expected."

Lila grinned. "He talks way more when she’s around."

"That’s true," Miles said. "Most people run out of things to say when Alpha Sterling gives them that look. Ms. Crawford just gives it right back."

Luna Seraphina’s smile slowly widened. "How interesting."

Miles suddenly felt as if he had said too much.

"Has she ever made him lose his temper?" Luna Seraphina asked.

"Not exactly."

"Too bad."

Miles blinked.

Luna Seraphina gave him an innocent smile. "If she ever gets under his skin, let me know. I’ve been trying to get a real reaction out of that boy for years."

"Of course, Luna."

"Tell me too," Lila added. "I want details."

Miles looked between them.

He excused himself before either woman could ask more questions.

--

Miles found Alpha Killian talking with Professor Davies outside one of the private meeting rooms. Claire stood beside the professor.

Miles approached. "Alpha, I have something you need to see. It concerns Eira Crawford."

Claire went still.

Alpha Killian caught the reaction at once.

"You know her?"

Professor Davies rested a hand on Claire’s shoulder. "Eira studied under Alaric. We’ve crossed paths."

It was a smooth answer, but not a complete one.

Alpha Killian looked between them.

They clearly knew more than they were willing to say. He filed that away for later.

"Send it," he told Miles.

A moment later, the video appeared on his phone.

The footage was shaky, but Alpha Sebastian and Serena were impossible to miss. The audio was crystal clear.

Alpha Killian watched them kiss on the terrace. His expression turned cold.

"Save a copy with event security," he said. "Restricted access."

"Got it."

"And make sure Kate gets a bonus."

Miles raised an eyebrow. "For filming two guests hooking up?"

"For documenting misconduct at a Sterling event."

Miles took the hint. "Right."

Alpha Killian glanced toward the ballroom.

Alpha Sebastian had dragged Eira across the floor, left her bleeding in a hallway, and then gone straight to Serena.

Now he was back at the party as if nothing had happened.

"Move the sponsor remarks up."

"Now?"

"Now."

Minutes later, Alpha Killian stepped onto the stage.

He thanked the sponsors and research teams, then kept the rest short.

Before leaving the microphone, he looked across the ballroom.

"We’d also like to recognize one of tonight’s industry partners, Sebastian Hale, CEO of Hale Group Technologies."

Miles gave the lighting crew a quick signal.

A spotlight landed on Alpha Sebastian.

Serena happened to be standing at his side, close enough that her shoulder brushed his arm.

A murmur spread through the room. Together under the spotlight, they looked less like friends and more like a couple making their first public appearance.

Serena smiled as if the attention belonged to her.

Alpha Sebastian did not.

After what had happened on the terrace, the sudden attention put him on edge. When Alpha Killian’s gaze held his for one cold second, Alpha Sebastian wondered if the spotlight was more warning than welcome.

As Alpha Killian left the stage, the orchestra began a waltz.

Serena held out her hand to Alpha Sebastian.

"Dance with me."

He hesitated and searched the ballroom again.

He was looking for Eira.

Serena knew he was worried his wife might see them together. She did not care.

Few people at the gala knew Alpha Sebastian was married. Even fewer knew Eira was his wife. Tonight, Serena had stood beside him under the spotlight. If they danced together now, the city’s Pack leaders and business elite would draw their own conclusions.

By morning, the rumor mill would have them halfway to the altar.

The more people saw Serena as his future Luna, the harder it would be for Alpha Sebastian to deny what they were.

"Come on," she said. "Everyone’s watching."

Alpha Sebastian finally took her hand.

Serena led him onto the dance floor. He placed one hand on her waist, but his gaze continued to move around the room.

"You’re distracted," she said.

"I’m not."

"You’re looking for Eira."

His jaw tightened. "I’m making sure she doesn’t start something."

Serena smiled. "Sure."

They both knew Eira had not been the one making a scene tonight.

When Alpha Sebastian failed to find her, he slowly relaxed. His hold became less stiff, and Serena moved closer.

To the people watching, they looked less like old friends and more like a couple making their relationship public.

--

Eira stood near the far wall, outside the brightest part of the ballroom.

Alpha Sebastian and Serena could not see her.

She could see them perfectly.

They moved together with practiced ease. Serena smiled up at him, and Alpha Sebastian looked more comfortable than he had all night.

What a classy pair. A cheating husband and his so-called friend, dancing in public like they deserved applause.

"Eira."

Lila stepped beside her and followed her gaze.

Her expression darkened.

"You have got to be kidding me."

Eira took a sip of water. "Apparently, subtlety isn’t their strong suit."

Lila looked toward the stage.

"Fine. If they want to put on a show, we’ll give the room something better to watch."

She spotted Alpha Killian and raised her hand.

"Killian!"

Eira caught her arm. "Lila, don’t."

"Too late."

Alpha Killian looked over. Lila pointed toward the dance floor, then nodded at Eira.

His gaze moved from his sister to Alpha Sebastian and Serena. His expression cooled as he understood what Lila wanted.

A few seconds later, he joined them.

Then Alpha Killian held out his hand.

"Miss Crawford," he said, his silver eyes fixed on hers. "May I have this dance?"