Chapter 45 Whose Girlfriend?

Eira tilted her head and held Alpha Killian’s gaze.

"What makes you think you weren’t using me too, Alpha Sterling?"

His expression did not change, but his eyes sharpened.

"Hale Group and Sterling Group have been at each other’s throats for years," she continued. "You knew exactly what dancing with Sebastian Hale’s wife in front of half the city would do to him."

"You’re giving me too much credit. My sister called me over."

"And you didn’t waste the opportunity."

Alpha Killian leaned closer. "Neither did you."

Eira looked away.

"Maybe we both got what we wanted."

"And what did you want?"

She glanced toward the dance floor, where Alpha Sebastian had disappeared into the crowd.

"To prove I was done standing in the shadows."

Alpha Killian studied her face.

Eira gave a small shrug. "If you expected Sebastian to care, you misread him."

Alpha Killian’s mouth curved slightly.

"You really believe that?"

"I lived with him for four years. I know exactly how little I matter to him."

Alpha Killian said nothing.

Alpha Sebastian’s reaction had told a very different story.

--

Alpha Sebastian returned to Serena’s chair and found it empty.

A server directed him to a side hall, where Serena sat beside Isabella with a tissue in her hand.

Isabella glared at him. "Nice going. You made her cry."

"It’s just my ankle," Serena said softly.

"Give me a break. I saw what happened." Isabella turned on Alpha Sebastian. "You spent the whole dance staring at Eira. And where did she get that dress? People are saying it’s vintage couture. Those pearls probably cost more than my car."

"I didn’t buy them."

Isabella paused. "Then who did?"

Alpha Killian Sterling came to mind, and Alpha Sebastian’s wolf stirred.

"That’s none of your business."

"Fine. But why are you defending her? Serena has been waiting for you all night, and you barely noticed."

"Eira is my wife," Alpha Sebastian snapped. "She’s our pack’s Luna. She is family."

The words left his mouth before he could stop them.

The hallway fell silent.

Serena’s eyes filled with tears.

"I understand," she said with a weak smile. "I’m the outsider."

"Serena, that’s not what I meant."

"It’s fine."

She stood and limped away.

Isabella shoved Alpha Sebastian’s arm. "Go after her."

"Stay out of this."

"She came back because she loves you. Are you really going to let her walk away?"

Alpha Sebastian hesitated.

Only for a second, but it bothered him.

He had always loved Serena. At least, that was what he had believed.

So why was he thinking about Eira in Alpha Killian’s arms?

"Sebastian!" Isabella snapped.

He cursed under his breath and followed Serena.

He caught up with her near the lobby.

"Serena, wait."

She kept moving.

"You shouldn’t be walking on that ankle."

"I said I’m fine."

Alpha Sebastian stepped in front of her and glanced down. There was barely any swelling.

Before he could question it, Serena looked up at him.

"Do you remember what you promised me when we were younger?"

His expression tightened.

"You said you would always love me," she continued. "You said we would have a family. You said you would make sure I never had to beg investors for the freedom to do my work."

"I remember."

"Then why did you defend Eira?" Her voice broke. "You called her family. What does that make me?"

Alpha Sebastian had no answer.

Years ago, he had built his future around Serena. He had worked endless hours, chased investors, and pushed Hale Group to the top because he wanted to give her everything.

Then she had left.

By the time she came back, he was married.

Serena saw the doubt in his eyes and changed course at once.

"I’m sorry," she said. "I shouldn’t have pushed."

She wrapped her arms around him.

"I know this is complicated. I don’t want to make it harder."

Alpha Sebastian remained still.

"I love you," she whispered. "That hasn’t changed."

Serena could not lose him now. His love was only part of it. Without him, she would also lose the money, influence, and protection of the Hale name.

After a long pause, Alpha Sebastian placed a hand on her back.

"I love you too."

The answer came out of habit.

For the first time, it sounded more like a line he had memorized than the truth.

--

Once Serena had calmed down and fixed her makeup, she and Alpha Sebastian returned to the ballroom.

Alpha Sebastian immediately searched the crowd for Eira.

She was nowhere in sight.

Instead, he spotted Isabella holding court with several young Pack heirs near the bar. Felix Shaw stood among them.

Alpha Sebastian walked over.

"Mr. Shaw."

Felix turned with a smile. "Alpha Hale. Good to see you again. Our grandfathers go way back, so just call me Felix."

He offered his hand, and Alpha Sebastian shook it.

Felix glanced at Serena. "And you are?"

Before Alpha Sebastian could answer, Isabella linked her arm through Serena’s.

"This is Serena Winthrop, my brother’s girlfriend. She just got back from overseas, and she’s consulting on a federally funded defense project."

A brief, awkward silence followed.

Alpha Sebastian’s expression tightened at the word girlfriend, but Serena smiled as if the introduction were perfectly natural.

"It’s nice to meet you."

"You too," Felix said politely, though his eyes flicked toward Alpha Sebastian.

"My grandfather is Dr. Victor Winthrop," Serena added. "I believe he and your grandfather are old friends."

Recognition crossed Felix’s face.

"Of course. Dr. Winthrop’s granddaughter. I’ve heard a lot about your family."

Isabella beamed. "Serena and Sebastian have known each other forever. Honestly, I’m just waiting for them to make it official so Serena can finally be part of the family for real."

She had never considered Eira worthy of the title.

"Isabella," Serena said with a shy laugh. "Don’t put him on the spot."

The color in her cheeks suggested she did not mind at all.

Alpha Sebastian shot his sister a warning look.

Isabella only rolled her eyes.

Felix turned back to Serena. "If you’re working in defense research, maybe you can help me with something. Do you know Dr. Crawford?"

Serena paused, then lifted her chin slightly.

"We’re attached to the same research program. Our teams overlap."

Felix’s face lit up.

"Seriously? My grandfather said Dr. Crawford might be here tonight. I came hoping to meet her."

"I haven’t seen her," Serena replied. "She probably skipped the gala. From what I’ve heard, she avoids public events."

Felix tried to hide his disappointment.

"That’s too bad. I’ve got about a dozen questions about her papers."

A familiar voice sounded nearby.

"Only a dozen?"

Everyone turned.

Lila Sterling was walking toward them with Eira beside her.

Isabella’s face twisted.

"Look who’s back," she muttered. "Sterling’s glorified assistant."

She had meant to speak under her breath.

She failed.

The nearby conversations went quiet.

Alpha Sebastian looked at her sharply. "Isabella."

"What?" Isabella said. "She’s been following the Sterlings around all night like she belongs here."

Eira met her gaze.

"I was invited. You’re the one insulting people right in front of your hosts."

A few guests looked away to hide their smiles.

Isabella’s face flushed.

Felix barely noticed the exchange. He was staring at Eira.

First came confusion.

Then recognition hit him. His eyes widened.

"Dr. Crawford?"