Chapter 46 Mistaken Identity

Felix Shaw had seen Eira once before in a photograph in his grandfather’s study.

The picture showed a room full of leading researchers, most of them over fifty. Only three younger faces stood out, and only one was a woman.

Felix remembered her.

His grandfather had mentioned Dr. Crawford many times. Still, the photograph was several years old, and he had never met her in person.

He stared at Eira.

"Dr. Crawford?"

Several guests turned toward them.

Eira’s pulse jumped.

She had told Lila and Alpha Killian only two days ago that she had only a master’s degree. Admitting the truth now would raise questions she was not ready to answer.

Felix stepped closer and offered his hand.

"I’m Felix Shaw. My grandfather talks about you all the time."

Eira recognized the last name at once. Felix was the grandson of one of the senior researchers she respected most.

She gave him a polite nod but did not take his hand.

"I’m afraid you have the wrong person, Mr. Shaw."

Felix lowered his hand, clearly confused.

Isabella gave a sharp laugh.

"Of course he does. Eira isn’t a doctor. She’s Alpha Killian Sterling’s executive assistant."

Her gaze moved over Eira’s dress.

"She usually looks nothing like this. I guess the right dress can fool anybody."

Alpha Sebastian’s face darkened.

"Isabella, enough."

"What? It’s true."

Lila stepped forward.

"At least Eira has a job. Your entire résumé is spending your brother’s money and running your mouth."

Isabella’s face turned red.

"You don’t know anything about me."

"I know enough."

Isabella opened her mouth, but one look at Lila’s expression made her think twice.

Felix barely noticed their argument. He continued studying Eira’s face.

"The picture in my grandfather’s study is old, but you look exactly like her."

"Pictures can be misleading," Eira said calmly.

"Have you ever met Dr. Crawford?" Serena asked.

Felix shook his head. "No. I’ve only seen that photograph."

Serena relaxed.

"Then it’s an honest mistake. Dr. Crawford keeps a low profile, and there aren’t many recent photos of her online."

"Exactly," Alpha Sebastian said. "Eira isn’t the researcher you’re looking for."

Felix looked at him.

"You sound pretty sure. Do you two know each other?"

The question brought an awkward silence.

Eira looked at Alpha Sebastian.

So did Lila.

Only minutes earlier, Isabella had introduced Serena as Alpha Sebastian’s girlfriend. If Alpha Sebastian admitted Eira was his wife, he would also have to explain why he had arrived with another woman.

Felix’s grandfather held several patents Hale Group had been trying to license. If Felix left tonight thinking Alpha Sebastian was a liar and a cheat, any chance of working with the Shaw family could disappear.

Alpha Sebastian told himself Eira would understand.

They had kept their marriage private for four years. One more lie should not matter.

But when he looked at her, the words caught in his throat.

Felix frowned. "Well?"

Alpha Sebastian finally answered.

"We’re friends."

Lila stared at him. "Seriously?"

Serena smiled and slipped her hand into Alpha Sebastian’s.

Eira looked at their joined hands, then turned back to Felix.

"He’s right. We’re just friends."

Her voice was steady.

Something inside Alpha Sebastian sank.

Felix frowned. "That took both of you a while to answer."

Eira gave him a small smile. "Some friendships are complicated."

"Eira," Alpha Sebastian said.

She ignored him.

"Come on, Lila. I’m ready to go."

"Same."

Lila linked arms with her and headed for the exit.

Alpha Sebastian reached for Eira as she passed, but she stepped out of range without even looking at him.

Serena tightened her grip on his hand.

"Sebastian, let her go."

He pulled free. "I need to talk to her."

Then he went after his wife.

Behind him, Serena’s smile disappeared.

---

Outside the hotel, Eira rested her hand on the passenger door of Lila’s bright red Ferrari.

"Eira!"

Alpha Sebastian hurried down the steps after her.

For one brief moment, Eira remembered another night years ago. Alpha Sebastian had run across a street to reach her, breathless and smiling.

That was the night she had accepted his proposal.

The memory faded as quickly as it came.

Lila stepped between them. "What do you want, Alpha Hale?"

Alpha Sebastian barely looked at her. His attention stayed on Eira.

"I need to explain what happened with Felix."

"You called me your friend," Eira said. "There isn’t much to explain."

"Dr. Shaw owns a patent Hale Group has been trying to license for months. What Felix tells him could make or break the deal."

"So you lied to protect your business."

Alpha Sebastian’s jaw tightened. "I was trying to avoid a scene. Bella had just introduced Serena as my girlfriend. If I told Felix you were my wife, I would’ve had to explain the whole mess in front of everyone."

Eira almost laughed.

"That sounds like a problem you created all by yourself."

"I didn’t have time to fix it."

"You had time to tell the truth."

Alpha Sebastian fell silent.

Then he tried a different approach.

"You know how important the Shaw deal is. I told you about it."

"I remember."

She remembered better than he did.

Months earlier, Alpha Sebastian had complained that Dr. Shaw refused to take his calls. Eira had quietly mentioned Hale Group during one of her own conversations with the researcher.

That was the only reason Alpha Sebastian had ever gotten a meeting.

He still had no idea.

Alpha Sebastian studied her calm face. "So you understand why I did it?"

"I understand exactly why you did it."

Relief crossed his face too quickly.

"You’re not mad?"

"It’s fine."

The relief disappeared.

She had not forgiven him. She simply no longer cared enough to argue.

"Eira, what does that mean?"

"It means Felix’s opinion, the patent, and whatever story you tell about Serena are no longer my problem."

She pulled open the car door.

"Go back inside. Your girlfriend is waiting."

"She isn’t my girlfriend."

"You should probably clear that up with your sister. She seems confused."

"Eira."

She paused and looked at him.

Alpha Sebastian had followed her outside expecting anger. Anger would have meant he could still explain himself. He could apologize, argue, or somehow pull her back into the same old fight.

Instead, she looked tired.

Worse, she looked done.

"I’ll fix this," he said.

"You don’t need to fix it for me."

Eira got into the car.

Lila gave Alpha Sebastian a cold smile. "For a guy chasing a major patent, you’re not very good at protecting valuable things."

She slid behind the wheel and drove away.

Alpha Sebastian remained outside the hotel, watching the red taillights disappear.

A few blocks later, Lila glanced at Eira.

"Why did you tell him it was fine?"

"Because it doesn’t matter anymore."

"That man denied you were his wife in front of a room full of people."

"And soon, I won’t be."

Lila glanced over. "Wait. Alpha Sebastian already signed?"

"We both signed the settlement agreement. The lawyers are handling the rest."

A pleased smile spread across Lila’s face. "Good. It’s about time."

Eira looked out the window. "It’s easier than staying."

Lila reached across the console and briefly squeezed her hand.

"Then you made the right call."

"Thank you."

Lila turned her attention back to the road, but her thoughts were already racing.

Sebastian Hale was finally on his way out.

That did not mean Eira belonged to Alpha Killian. Eira was not anyone’s prize to claim.

Still, for the first time, Lila thought her stubborn brother might actually have a chance.

If he was smart enough not to blow it.