Chapter 68 Breaking Down Doors

The ringtone came from inside Isabella’s purse.

Her mind went blank.

She fumbled with the clasp, but before she could silence the phone, a shadow fell over her.

Alpha Killian stood behind her.

His expression was cold enough to make her blood run colder. "Why do you have Eira’s phone?"

"I don’t know what you mean."

"Try again." His voice stayed low, but the Alpha command beneath it hit Isabella like a physical force. Her knees almost gave out.

Tears filled her eyes as she pulled out the phone. "She was drunk. She must’ve dropped it into my purse."

Alpha Killian took the phone from her.

He did not believe a word. Fear poured off Isabella in waves, and beneath the sharp smell of her perfume, his wolf caught the bitter scent of a lie. "Where is she?"

"She passed out."

"What room?"

"I don’t remember." Alpha Killian stepped closer. His Alpha pressure filled the space between them.

Isabella stumbled back.

"You’re lying," he said.

Mrs. Black immediately turned to the security desk. "I’ll check the cameras and key card records."

"Do it," Alpha Killian ordered.

He looked at Miles. "Don’t let Miss Hale leave."

Miles moved in front of the exit.

Isabella’s face went pale. "You can’t hold me here."

"Want to bet?" Miles asked.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Black returned.

"Room 9908. Miss Hale took her there about fifteen minutes ago."

Alpha Killian headed straight for the private elevator, with Natalie and Mrs. Black close behind.

When they reached Room 9908, they found the door unlocked.

Alpha Killian pushed it open.

Cold water ran over his shoes. A cardboard box covered in children’s drawings sat near the wall, and water streamed from beneath the bathroom door.

Alpha Killian caught Eira’s scent beneath the smell of wine and chemicals.

"Eira!"

Something fell inside, but she did not answer.

Natalie spotted the box. "That’s hers. It came from the children’s home."

Alpha Killian tried the bathroom door.

Locked.

He pounded on it. "Eira, move away from the door."

Silence.

Natalie went pale. Her wolf hearing caught a heartbeat on the other side, weak and uneven.

"Alpha, her heartbeat is fading."

Alpha Killian’s eyes flashed gold.

"Back up."

He kicked beside the lock. The frame cracked, and the door flew open.

Water rushed into the bedroom.

Eira lay fully dressed in the bathtub. Her body covered the drain while the faucet continued to run. Her face was bright red, but her lips had turned pale. The water was almost high enough to cover her nose.

Alpha Killian crossed the bathroom, shut off the faucet, and pulled her from the tub. Heat poured through her soaked clothes.

"What the hell did they give you?"

Eira dug her nails into his arm.

"No," she whispered. "Please..."

Her eyes were open, but she did not recognize him.

"It’s me." Alpha Killian softened his voice. "You’re safe, Eira."

She kept struggling, weak but terrified.

Natalie crouched beside them.

"Eira, it’s Natalie. Alpha Killian and I are here to help."

Eira slowly turned toward her.

"Na... talie?"

"Yes. I’m right here."

Alpha Killian caught the chemical scent rising from Eira’s skin. His jaw tightened.

"This isn’t alcohol. She was drugged."

He lifted her into his arms.

"Call Dr. Wood."

Natalie pulled out her phone.

Barry Wood was the youngest high-ranking wolf physician in the Sterling Pack. He specialized in treating werewolf reactions to human drugs, silver exposure, and forced heat suppressants. He was also Alpha Killian’s private doctor, which meant he could be trusted to keep Eira’s condition away from human hospital records.

"Dr. Wood," Natalie said as soon as he answered. "We need you at Sterling House right now."

Alpha Killian lifted Eira into his arms.

"Tell him to bring a full toxicology kit."

Natalie repeated the order.

"Where should he meet us?" she asked.

"My suite," Alpha Killian said. "Now."

He carried Eira out of the flooded bathroom.

Her fingers remained locked around his arm.

Even half-conscious, she was still terrified someone would take her away.

---

Meanwhile, Isabella paced across the lobby.

A few minutes earlier, the man Serena had hired had stormed out of the hotel with soaked pants and a furious look on his face.

Something had gone very wrong.

Isabella wanted to warn Serena, but Miles had not taken his eyes off her. Two hotel security guards were also waiting near the exits.

Miles watched her make another turn around the seating area.

"You’re wearing a hole in the floor, Miss Hale."

"I need to go home."

"Not yet."

"You can’t keep me here."

"Hotel security can ask you to stay while they investigate a possible crime against a guest," Miles said calmly. "You’re also free to call an attorney."

Isabella tightened her grip on her phone. "I didn’t do anything."

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

"Easy for you to say."

Miles gave her a cool smile. "You’re the one with Eira’s phone in your purse."

Isabella had no answer.

She should never have chosen Sterling House. Serena had offered to cover the bill, and Isabella had wanted the best hotel in the city. Now they were trapped inside Alpha Killian Sterling’s territory.

The lobby doors opened.

Alpha Sebastian and Serena walked in.

Relief rushed over Isabella. "Sebastian!"

Serena saw Miles and immediately knew the plan had fallen apart.

The man she had hired had already called her. He claimed Eira had locked herself in the bathroom and flooded the room before he could touch her. He had fled when he heard people coming.

Serena had told Alpha Sebastian only part of the story.

Someone had seen Eira enter Sterling House and go upstairs with a man.

Isabella rushed over and pulled Serena aside.

"Alpha Killian found Eira," she whispered. "Your guy ran, and Miles won’t let me leave."

Serena’s eyes narrowed. "Eira is with Alpha Killian?"

Isabella nodded.

A new plan formed in Serena’s mind.

Alpha Killian was far more useful than the man she had hired. If Alpha Sebastian found Eira in Alpha Killian’s private suite, he would assume the worst.

Serena raised her voice just enough for Alpha Sebastian to hear.

"Isabella, are you sure you saw Eira go upstairs with another man?"

Isabella caught on.

"Positive."

Alpha Sebastian’s face hardened. "What room?"

"I don’t know. I came downstairs, and Miles stopped me." She pointed toward him.

Miles’s expression cooled.

Alpha Sebastian strode toward him.

"Where is my wife?"

"And where is Alpha Killian?"