Chapter 62 Ungrateful

As soon as they returned to the apartment, Eira carried the groceries into the kitchen and started dinner.

She had chosen every pot, dish, and tool with Alpha Sebastian’s tastes in mind. He had never noticed.

To him, the kitchen had simply appeared one day, complete and ready to use.

Alpha Sebastian settled onto the couch and turned on the evening news. Every few minutes, he glanced through the open kitchen doorway.

Eira moved between the stove and the counter as she had countless times before. The familiar sight gave him a sense of comfort he had not felt in days.

This was how home was supposed to feel.

The doorbell rang.

Ethan Yates stood in the hallway with a box from a local bakery.

"Figured I shouldn’t show up empty-handed."

Alpha Sebastian let him in.

From the living room, Ethan could see Eira preparing dinner while Sebastian relaxed on the couch.

The scene looked surprisingly normal.

[He had thought the separation was settled. Had Sebastian changed his mind?

And if he had, where did that leave Serena?]

Ethan pushed the questions aside.

[Until the divorce was final, Eira was still the Luna of Hale Pack. Whatever was happening between her and Sebastian was none of his business.]

In the kitchen, Eira’s phone buzzed on the counter.

[I’m outside.]

Eira wiped her hands and left the kitchen.

"Lila’s here. I’ll get the door."

She opened it just as the bell rang again.

Lila stood in the hallway, holding up a bottle of wine with a proud grin.

"I borrowed one of Killian’s favorite bottles."

Eira raised an eyebrow.

"Fine," Lila admitted. "He doesn’t know I borrowed it."

"Come in."

Lila looked down at her shoes. "Shoes off?"

"Yes. You can wear these."

Eira handed her a new pair of slippers.

Lila’s eyes widened. "Did you buy these for me?"

"I picked them up while I was out. They looked about your size."

"Then I’m keeping them."

"That’s why I bought them."

Lila smiled as she changed her shoes. "You bought me a gift. We’re officially best friends now."

"They’re slippers, Lila."

"They still count."

Eira could not help smiling.

Lila stepped inside. Her smile cooled when she noticed the two men in the living room.

"Alpha Sebastian. Mr. Yates."

Ethan immediately stood.

"Miss Sterling. Good to see you again."

The Yates family was well connected, but the Sterlings operated on another level. Even Ethan knew when to be on his best behavior.

Lila gave him a polite nod, set the wine on the counter, and followed Eira into the kitchen.

Once the door closed behind them, Ethan looked at Alpha Sebastian. "When did Eira become friends with Lila Sterling?"

"I don’t know."

"You don’t know?"

Alpha Sebastian’s expression tightened. "I said I don’t know."

Ethan leaned back.

He had seen Eira and Lila talking at the charity gala, but that could have been simple courtesy. A private dinner was different.

The two women were clearly close.

Alpha Sebastian stared at the closed kitchen door.

He had been married to Eira for four years, yet someone else had become one of her closest friends without him even noticing.

--

In the kitchen, Eira glanced at Lila.

"It gets hot in here. You can wait in the living room if you want. I probably won’t be much fun while I’m cooking."

"That’s why I’m staying." Lila rolled up her sleeves. "I’d be a disaster near the stove, but I can hand you things and keep you company. Just tell me what to do."

Eira pointed to a stack of plates. "You can set the table."

"Perfect. That’s almost impossible to mess up."

Lila picked up the plates and continued talking.

"My dad cooks for my mom sometimes. Mom can barely make toast, but she always stays in the kitchen with him. She hands him things and tells him he’s doing an amazing job."

Eira smiled as she chopped the vegetables. "Does he like that?"

"He loves it. It’s embarrassing."

Lila carried the plates to the counter, then came back for the silverware.

"I asked Mom why she bothered standing there when Dad did all the work. She said being bad at something doesn’t mean you leave the other person to handle it alone."

Her voice softened.

"I guess that goes for family, relationships, and friends."

Eira thought of Luna Seraphina. She was warm, thoughtful, and deeply loved by her family.

"You have a wonderful mother."

Lila looked at her. "You must have had someone like that too."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because someone taught you how to care about people."

Eira’s hands slowed.

"Miss Gwen did. Professor Thorne too."

"Then I already like them."

With Lila setting the table and keeping her company, dinner came together faster than Eira expected. For the first time in years, cooking did not feel like another duty waiting to be finished.

Lila took one bite of the fish and lit up. "This is incredible."

She tried the vegetables next. "Okay, this might be even better."

Ethan laughed. "We get it, Miss Sterling. You like the food."

"What am I supposed to do, play it cool?" She took another bite. "Someone spent hours cooking for us. The least we can do is say thank you."

"Fair enough." Ethan raised his glass. "Dinner’s great, Eira. Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Alpha Sebastian frowned. "She always handles dinner."

Lila turned to him. "And that means you can’t thank her?"

"It’s how we divide things at home."

"Great. Then you can handle the dishes tonight."

Alpha Sebastian stared at her. "Why would I do that?"

"Because she cooked. That’s how teamwork works."

Ethan pointed to the bakery box on the counter. "For the record, I brought dessert."

Lila nodded in approval. "Smart man. You’re off the hook."

Then she looked back at Alpha Sebastian. "What did you bring to the table?"

"This is my home."

"That wasn’t the question."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression tightened.

He looked at Eira, clearly waiting for her to step in. In the past, she would have changed the subject or found some way to defend him.

Tonight, she simply placed another piece of fish on Lila’s plate.

"Try this one."

"Thanks." Lila smiled at her before reaching for the wine. "Speaking of things I brought, I raided Killian’s private collection."

Ethan checked the label and nearly choked.

"You took this from Alpha Killian Sterling?"

"Borrowed," Lila corrected. "He has plenty."

She poured the wine, then pulled out her phone.

"Mind if I take a picture? I need to rub this in my brother’s face."

"Go ahead."

Lila snapped a photo of the table and sent it to Alpha Killian.

[You’re stuck on a business trip. I’m eating Eira’s cooking and drinking your wine. Try not to cry about it.]

A reply appeared almost at once. [You took my wine?]

Lila grinned but did not answer. Let him stew for a while.

A moment later, Eira’s phone lit up.

[Miss Crawford, I just landed and learned that you scheduled a client meeting before I can even check into the hotel. We need to have a conversation about your definition of "efficient."]

Eira replied without hesitation. [You asked for the shortest possible trip. You’re welcome.]

A moment later, Alpha Killian answered. [I expect a written apology when I get back.]

[Request denied.]

Lila leaned over and caught her brother’s name on the screen.

"Is Killian giving you a hard time again?"

Alpha Sebastian looked up sharply.

"Again?"

Lila waved a hand. "He likes giving her grief. It’s practically his favorite hobby."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression darkened. "You and Alpha Killian text each other often?"