Chapter 56 Do You Have a Photo of Dr. Crawford?

Alpha Killian did not answer right away.

Luna Seraphina studied him. "That hesitation is exactly what worries me. You’re not sure what you feel yet."

"I know enough."

"Do you?" Her voice was gentle but serious. "You know what Eira has been through."

"Yes. Her marriage to Sebastian is ending."

"And you know how she grew up."

Alpha Killian’s jaw tightened. "Growing up in an Omega group home doesn’t define her."

"No, but it shaped her," Luna Seraphina said. "She grew up without a family she could depend on. Then she trusted Sebastian, and he failed her."

Alpha Killian fell silent.

"If you aren’t sure about your feelings, don’t rush into her life just because you want to protect her," Luna Seraphina continued. "She doesn’t need to be rescued. She needs honesty, respect, and someone she can trust."

Her gaze held his.

"So take the time to understand what you really want. If this is only anger at the way Sebastian treated her, let it go. If it’s more than that, be certain before you act. Don’t become another man who makes promises he can’t keep."

Alpha Killian looked down, considering her words.

Alpha Julian nodded. "Your mother’s right. Don’t confuse wanting to protect someone with being ready to build a life with them."

After a moment, Alpha Killian met their eyes again.

"I understand."

--

Winthrop Estate

The moment Serena entered the Winthrop estate, a housekeeper hurried forward to take her coat.

"Miss Winthrop is home. Let Alpha Victor know."

Serena was the elder Alpha’s favorite granddaughter. Everyone in the main house knew it.

She greeted the staff as she crossed the hall, smiling and calling several of them by name.

"Your grandfather is in his study," the housekeeper told her. "He said you could go straight in."

"Thank you."

Serena opened the study door without knocking.

Alpha Victor sat behind a large oak desk, reviewing reports from the Winthrop Pack’s research foundation. Several patrol maps were spread beside them. Even in his later years, his Alpha presence filled the room.

He looked at Serena over his glasses.

"Ten days. I was starting to think your parents had locked you in their basement."

Serena smiled. "They’ve been busy."

"They’ve been busy for months, but I haven’t seen many results." Alpha Victor closed the report in front of him. "What about you? The Sovereign Processor Initiative has entered the bidding phase. Where is the work you were supposed to publish?"

Serena walked over and poured him a fresh cup of coffee.

"Dr. Crawford hasn’t given me access to the approved research. I can’t publish anything or earn authorship if the core team keeps shutting me out."

Alpha Victor’s expression darkened.

"You still haven’t been allowed into the lab?"

"No. I’ve been back for more than three weeks, and Dr. Crawford hasn’t even agreed to meet with me."

Serena sat across from him.

"Everyone calls me Dr. Winthrop because they respect you. But no one asks for my opinion. The project team smiles at me and then leaves me out of every important meeting."

"You were never promised access to classified data."

"I know. I’m asking to join one of the approved research branches. I need work I can legally publish."

Alpha Victor tapped his fingers against the desk.

"Professor Davies controls access now. Dr. Crawford makes the technical decisions."

"That’s why I came to you. She isn’t only ignoring me. She’s ignoring your recommendation."

Alpha Victor’s expression hardened.

"I’ll speak to Professor Davies."

"I want to come."

"No. I already used enough influence to get you onto the project. If we show up together, it will look like the Winthrop Pack is pressuring a federal research team."

Serena hid her frustration. She chose her words carefully.

"Felix Shaw mistook someone for her at the gala. Has he ever met Dr. Crawford?"

Alpha Victor gave a dry laugh.

"His grandfather, Dr. Adrian Shaw, knew about her work. He and Dr. Thorne once competed to recruit her."

"What about Felix? Has he ever met her?"

Alpha Victor thought for a moment.

" Dr. Crawford joined Thorne’s team seven years ago, while the work was still classified. After Thorne died, the program was suspended. It only restarted after she agreed to lead it."

"So Felix wouldn’t recognize her?"

"He doesn’t have the clearance to access her identity records. If they met somewhere outside the project, I wouldn’t know."

It was not a complete denial, but Serena still felt some relief.

Alpha Victor studied her.

"Why are you suddenly so interested in Felix Shaw? Did you see him at the gala?"

"Grandpa, you know I’m not interested in him. I already have someone."

"Sebastian Hale."

Serena’s expression brightened. "Yes."

Alpha Victor leaned back.

"Hale Pack has grown quickly under him. Their territory has expanded, and their number of registered pack members has nearly tripled. He has also strengthened their patrol units and brought several smaller packs under Hale protection."

"He’s a strong Alpha," Serena said. "And while I was abroad, he invested heavily in my research."

"Then focus on your own position before you worry about becoming his Luna."

The reminder stung, but Serena kept smiling. "Can you tell me anything about Dr. Crawford? What she looks like? Where she’s from? If I could speak to her myself, I might be able to clear up this misunderstanding."

Alpha Victor shook his head.

"Her identity is protected under federal security rules. Her photographs, address, Pack registration, and family history are sealed."

"You don’t know what she looks like?"

"I’ve spoken to her through secure channels, but we’ve never met face-to-face. She avoids public appearances, and Professor Davies protects her privacy."

Serena’s heart sank.

"So even you can’t help me reach her?"

"I can request a meeting. That’s all."

"Dr. Thorne is gone. Professor Davies can protect her privacy, but he cannot shield her from every research council, contractor, and funding board."

His eyes turned cold.

"No scientist works alone forever. Sooner or later, Dr. Crawford will need powerful allies."

"We’ll remind her that the Winthrop Pack is better as a friend than an enemy."

That night, Eira received a text from Professor Davies.

Professor Davies: Victor Winthrop requested a meeting tomorrow at two. I need you there.

At the Winthrop estate, one of Alpha Victor’s staff quietly passed the same information to Serena.