Chapter 59 The Missing Package

Serena had not left the institute yet. As long as she remained in the building, she might catch another glimpse of Eira.

Professor Davies took off his black blazer and handed it to her.

"Put this on."

It was too large, but it covered most of her clothes.

He pulled a worn gray baseball cap from his bag. "And this."

Eira put it on and lowered the brim.

"Why do you have a baseball cap?"

"It belongs to my daughter." Professor Davies checked her disguise. "From now on, bring a change of clothes when you come here. We can’t be too careful."

"Understood."

Professor Davies led her to the underground garage and drove toward the exit. As they reached the security gate, he spotted Serena in the rearview mirror. She was standing near the lobby doors, watching every car that passed.

Professor Davies muttered under his breath.

"She’s still here. I’ll have to speak to Victor. He may be the only person who can stop her."

Once they were outside the institute, he glanced at Eira.

"Where should I take you?"

Eira was about to say the Thorne estate when her phone buzzed.

It was Miss Gwen, the director of the Omega children’s home where she had grown up.

Professor Davies motioned for her to answer.

"Hi, Miss Gwen."

Eira’s expression softened at once.

"I’m doing well. How are you? How are the kids?"

"We’re all doing great, sweetheart. The children made some things for you. Letters, drawings, and little crafts. We also sent treats from home. Your favorite spicy peanut brittle is in there."

Eira smiled.

"The tracking says the package was delivered to your place," Miss Gwen continued. "Don’t forget to pick it up."

"I’ll get it today."

Eira had always used the apartment she shared with Alpha Sebastian as her mailing address. She would need to change that soon.

"Miss Gwen, please don’t send anything else to that address. I’m going to be moving."

"Oh, are you and Alpha Sebastian moving?"

Miss Gwen sounded pleased. Eira could not bring herself to tell her about the divorce over the phone.

"Yes. I’ll send you my new address once I’m settled."

"All right. You’re still coming to visit after New Year’s, aren’t you? The kids are counting down the days. They keep saying, ’First fall, then winter, and then Miss Eira comes home.’"

Eira’s smile reached her eyes.

"I’ll be there. Sebastian won’t be able to come this time, though. He’s been busy with work."

"That’s all right. As long as you come, the children will be happy."

"I wouldn’t miss it."

"And don’t forget to share the treats. Some of them won’t keep for long. Give some to Alpha Sebastian, his parents and sister, and your professors and friends. We packed plenty."

Emotion tightened Eira’s throat.

"You tell me that every time."

"Are you tired of hearing it?" Miss Gwen teased.

"Never. I’ll never get tired of it."

Miss Gwen laughed, though her voice wavered slightly.

"All right, sweetheart. I’ll let you go. Make sure you eat something tonight."

"I will."

After the call ended, Professor Davies glanced at her.

"You haven’t told her about the divorce?"

"I don’t know how," Eira admitted. "Sebastian came with me every year. He donated money and brought gifts for every child. They all adore him."

That was what made the memories so difficult to understand.

Alpha Sebastian had shown patience and kindness to the children. He could be generous to strangers and loyal to Serena. Yet somehow, he had never given Eira enough honesty to make their marriage real.

She looked out the window.

"Professor Davies, could you take me to the Hale apartment? I need to pick up the package from Miss Gwen and the kids."

Professor Davies nodded and changed lanes.

"Of course."

The car stopped outside the house Eira shared with Alpha Sebastian.

Eira opened the door. "Thanks for the ride, Professor. I won’t invite you in today, but once things settle down, I’ll cook you a proper dinner."

Professor Davies brightened. Eira sometimes brought extra food to the institute, and he had never turned it down.

"I’ll hold you to that. And I’ll help with the cooking."

Eira smiled and watched his car disappear down the street.

She had not been home in days.

The house felt cold when she stepped inside. Takeout containers sat on the kitchen counter, and several unopened packages had been left by the front door.

All of them were from the children’s home.

Eira found a box cutter and opened the packages one by one. They were filled with snacks, dried food, and local treats.

But there were no letters, drawings, or handmade gifts from the children.

She checked every box again.

Nothing.

Eira called Miss Gwen.

"What kind of box did you put the children’s gifts in?"

"A square cardboard box," Miss Gwen said. "Why? Isn’t it there?"

"I can’t find it. I’ll check with the delivery company."

The driver confirmed that every package had been delivered. The photo he sent clearly showed a square box sitting with the others by the front door.

Someone had taken it.

Only that box was missing.

Eira stood among the open packages and called Alpha Sebastian.

"Did you come home today? One of the boxes from Miss Gwen is gone."

"You’re home?" Hope entered his voice at once.

"Answer the question, Sebastian. Did you open any of the packages?"

"No. I haven’t been there today." He paused. "But Isabella stopped by."

Eira looked at the empty space beside the other packages.

Her stomach sank.

Isabella had taken the box

Alpha Sebastian started to say something else, but Eira cut him off.

"I’ll call you back. I need to speak to Isabella."

"Don’t worry. The box is probably somewhere in the house. Isabella wouldn’t touch your things."

Eira closed her eyes.

Alpha Sebastian had defended his sister with the same excuse for years. Eira had tried to tell him what Isabella was really like, but he had never listened.

She was done trying. Eira ended the call.