Chapter 47 Proper Medicine

Alpha Sebastian returned to the reception, distracted and distant. Serena called his name twice before he noticed her.

Some guests were having a good night.

Alpha Sebastian was not.

Alpha Killian certainly was.

He had just received a message from his sister saying Eira had finally signed the divorce papers. The process was officially underway.

Alpha Killian replied: [You’re just finding this out?]

The smugness in that single line was unmistakable.

Lila nearly threw her phone. Instead, she hooked her arm through Eira’s.

"We’re the best pair in the world, aren’t we?"

Eira had no idea why Lila looked so puffed up, but she could not resist the charm.

"Of course."

"And I’m way better than my brother, right?"

Eira did not hesitate. "Absolutely."

Lila grinned and typed out a response dripping with satisfaction. She got no reply.

He was probably fuming.

"Eira, are you in a hurry to get home?" Lila blinked at her.

"Why?"

"We should celebrate! Celebrate you ditching that loser!"

Eira paused. The wind stung her cheeks. Then she nodded.

"You’re right. We should."

"Then leave it to me. I know the perfect place."

Lila drove them to a low-lit tavern tucked into a quiet street. Live music drifted from inside. The atmosphere was warm, intimate, never overwhelming.

She pulled Eira upstairs to a private corner table with the best view in the house.

"I’ll let you in on a secret," Lila said with a wink. "I own this place."

Eira raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

A server brought them a pitcher of the house sangria and two glasses.

"I invested in the place a couple of years ago," Lila explained. "Professor Chase practically lives in the lab, which means I do too. I needed somewhere that had nothing to do with research."

She filled both glasses.

"Try this. It’s our signature sangria."

Eira took a sip. It was sweet, tart, and dangerously smooth.

"That barely tastes like alcohol."

"Exactly."

They raised their glasses.

"To freedom," Lila said. "And to never settling for someone who treats you like a backup plan."

Eira touched her glass to Lila’s.

"To freedom."

"And if you never want another relationship, that works too."

"How generous of you."

"I’m supportive like that."

Eira smiled and took another sip.

She rarely drank, and she had never spent an evening like this with a friend. No work. No responsibilities. No one waiting at home to criticize her.

For once, she could simply relax.

The first pitcher disappeared faster than either of them expected.

When the server brought another, Lila waved away Eira’s concern.

"It’s mostly fruit."

It was not mostly fruit. By the time Eira noticed the room spinning, Lila had already lowered her head to the table.

"Lila?"

No answer.

Eira leaned closer. Lila snored. "So much for being prepared."

Eira tried to stand, but the floor shifted under her feet. She quickly dropped back into the booth.

Neither of them could drive.

She picked up her phone and called Lila’s brother.

Alpha Killian answered before the second ring.

"Eira?" His voice came through so clearly that she pulled the phone away from her ear.

"Why are you so loud?"

There was a brief pause. "Have you been drinking?"

Eira looked at the empty bottle. "Maybe."

"Where’s Lila?" Eira glanced across the table.

"Sleeping."

Alpha Killian went silent for one dangerous second. "Where are you?"

"At her bar."

"Which bar?"

"The one she owns."

"That does not narrow it down."

Eira frowned. "How many bars does she own?"

"Apparently one more than she told me about."

He took a slow breath. "Send me your location."

Eira tapped the screen several times. "I think I did."

"You sent me a taco emoji."

"Oh."

"Hand the phone to an employee."

A server passed by, and Eira stopped him. He gave Alpha Killian the address, then returned the phone.

"I have it," Alpha Killian said. "Stay upstairs. Don’t drink anything else."

Alpha Killian grabbed his keys and left the gala. Fifteen minutes later, he pulled up outside the bar.

Alpha Killian found the women in the upstairs booth.

Lila was asleep on the table.

Eira was still awake, though barely. She rested her head in one hand and reached for the bottle with the other.

Alpha Killian took it away. "That’s enough."

Eira slowly raised her head. Her cheeks were flushed, and her blue eyes struggled to focus.

Then Alpha Killian noticed the redness around them and the dried tear tracks on her cheeks.

Whatever lecture he had planned died on his tongue.

"Come on," he said. "We’re leaving."

"Where are we going?"

"Home."

He reached for her hand, but Eira pulled away. "I don’t have one."

Her voice cracked.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

Alpha Killian sat beside her and took a napkin from the table. He gently turned her face toward him and wiped away the tears.

Eira stared at him through unfocused eyes. "Mom?"

Alpha Killian froze.

"Mom," she whispered again.

Before he could correct her, her face crumpled. "Sebastian brought another woman into our bed."

Alpha Killian’s hand went still.

"He never loved me. He married me to make Serena jealous." The words came faster now. "Four years of my life, and I was just part of some stupid game."

"You weren’t."

"He won’t even let me go. He wants his wife at home cooking and cleaning while he plays boyfriend with her."

She wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"But I’m done. He can keep the whole damn marriage."

Her voice dropped to a broken whisper.

"Mom, can I come home for the holidays? You won’t send me away again, right?"

Alpha Killian’s chest tightened.

"No," he said quietly. "I won’t send you away."

"And can you make that spicy chicken?" Her lips trembled. "The kind that makes my eyes water?"

"Sure."

"I miss it."

The tears started again.

Alpha Killian had no idea how to comfort her. He only knew he could not leave her sitting there crying.

He slipped one arm behind her back and the other beneath her knees.

Eira did not resist as he lifted her.

"Mom," she murmured against his chest. "I need a Band-Aid."

"Where?"

She pressed one hand over her heart. "Here."

Alpha Killian looked down at her.

"Okay," he said. "I’ll get you one."

He carried her downstairs and settled her in the back seat beside Miles.

Then he returned for Lila.

Unlike Eira, his sister went over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Lila stirred. "Worst brother ever."

"You’re welcome."

Once Lila was safely in the car, Alpha Killian stopped at the convenience store next door.

He returned a few minutes later with a box of Band-Aids.