Chapter 61 The Market

Alpha Sebastian blocked the door.

"We’re having dinner together tonight."

Eira glanced at his hand around her wrist. Arguing would only waste more time.

"Fine. I’ll cook. Now let go."

He released her.

"The fridge is empty, so I need groceries." She pointed to the care packages. "Put those inside first."

"I’m coming with you."

Eira looked at him. "You haven’t gone grocery shopping once in four years."

"There’s a first time for everything."

They carried the packages inside, then walked to the neighborhood market.

It was busy with people stopping in after work. The narrow aisles were lined with fresh produce, baked bread, and small meat and seafood counters.

Alpha Sebastian stood out in his suit and polished shoes.

He nearly stepped into a wet patch by the produce section and frowned.

"Why don’t you order groceries online?"

"Because the delivery fees add up, and this place has better produce."

Eira picked up a bunch of green onions, checked them, and placed them in her basket.

Alpha Sebastian looked at the price tag. "You don’t have to worry about saving a few dollars."

Eira turned to him.

"You give me three thousand dollars a month to run the house."

"That should be enough."

"It covers groceries, toiletries, cleaning supplies, small repairs, and every dinner your parents expect me to host. It also covers the extra food Isabella takes home whenever she visits."

Alpha Sebastian’s frown deepened.

"You could’ve told me you needed more."

"I did."

He went quiet.

"More than once," Eira added.

She moved on before he could defend himself.

Alpha Sebastian followed as she checked weekly specials and compared prices. He had never thought about how much work went into keeping the house stocked. Food appeared in the kitchen. Soap appeared in the bathrooms. His parents came over for dinner, and everything was ready.

He had never asked how.

At the seafood counter, Mr. Caldwell smiled when he saw Eira.

"Well, look who finally showed up."

Eira managed a small smile. "Hi, Mr. Caldwell."

"Haven’t seen you in a while. I was starting to think you’d found a better fish guy."

"Never. I’ve just been busy."

"That’s what they all say."

He pulled on a pair of gloves and lifted a fresh fish from the display.

"I saved one for you last week, but you never came in."

"You don’t need to do that anymore." Eira paused. "I’m moving."

Mr. Caldwell looked up.

"You’re leaving the neighborhood?"

"Yes."

"Well, that’s a shame. You’re one of the few customers who actually knows what she’s buying."

"Thank you for always looking out for me."

"Anytime."

As he wrapped the fish, he noticed Alpha Sebastian approaching behind her.

"Your husband?" he asked casually.

Eira did not hesitate.

"No."

Alpha Sebastian heard her. His steps slowed.

Mr. Caldwell glanced between them, clearly sensing that he had walked into something complicated.

"What did he ask you?" Alpha Sebastian said.

"Nothing important."

"I heard you say no."

"Then you already heard the answer."

Mr. Caldwell wisely handed the fish to Alpha Sebastian and turned to the next customer.

Eira’s phone rang as they headed toward the meat counter.

"I need to take this."

She stepped aside.

It was Lila.

"Please tell me you’re free for dinner," Lila said.

Eira glanced at the groceries in Alpha Sebastian’s hands.

"Actually, Lila, would you like to come over? I can cook dinner."

"Are you serious?" Lila sounded delighted. "Send me the address. I’m on my way."

"I need a favor too."

"Name it."

"You don’t even know what I’m asking."

"Unless you need me to hide a body, I’m probably in."

Warmth spread through Eira’s chest.

"I’ll explain when you get here."

Alpha Sebastian walked over when he saw her smile.

"Who are you talking to?"

"A friend."

Eira made no effort to hide the screen. Alpha Sebastian saw Lila Sterling’s name and immediately thought of Alpha Killian.

Eira ended the call and looked at him.

"I invited Lila to dinner. Is that a problem?"

Alpha Sebastian hesitated. Eira had never brought a friend home before.

"Fine."

"You can invite someone too."

She meant Serena, and they both knew it.

Alpha Sebastian took out his phone and texted Ethan Yates instead.

"Ethan’s coming."

"What about Miss Winthrop?"

Tension crossed his face.

"Why would I invite her?"

"She’s your friend. Ethan knows her too."

"Not tonight," Alpha Sebastian said quickly. "Let’s go."

"I need a few more things. It’s Lila’s first time trying my cooking."

The warmth in Eira’s voice made Alpha Sebastian frown.

"You seem pretty eager to impress her."

"She’s my friend."

"Since when?"

"Since she treated me like one."

The answer hit harder than he expected.

Alpha Sebastian followed as Eira added a few more items to the cart.

"What do you two even have in common?"

"More than you think."

He wanted to ask what that meant, but Eira had already turned back to the produce.

Her whole mood had changed. A few minutes ago, she had barely looked at him. Now she was planning dinner for Lila with a small smile on her face.

Alpha Sebastian could not remember when Eira had stopped smiling like that around him.

After picking up the last few ingredients, Eira sent Lila a text.

[I need you to get me out of the apartment tonight. No matter what happens, I can’t stay here with Sebastian.]

Lila replied almost at once.

[Consider it done.

Eira put away her phone and turned to Alpha Sebastian.

"Let’s go."