Chapter 71 The Lawsuit Against Isabella

Barry caught the bite beneath her friendly tone.

"Alpha Sebastian and I go way back," Serena said. Her eyes swept through the clinic, searching for Eira and Alpha Killian. "But I’ve never seen a boss drop everything for an employee before."

Natalie’s smile held.

"Then I guess tonight’s full of firsts."

Serena ignored the jab.

"Where are they?"

Alpha Sebastian was already looking down the hall.

Eira heard their voices from the treatment room.

"I’m here," she tried to call, but her throat was too dry.

Mrs. Wood opened the door.

"She’s in here."

Alpha Sebastian stepped inside.

Eira was resting in a carved wooden chair, dressed in a loose linen top and matching pants provided by the clinic. Her damp hair fell around her pale face.

Alpha Killian stood beside her, holding out a cup of warm water.

Their fingers brushed as Eira took it.

Alpha Sebastian stopped.

The quiet scene hit him harder than it should have. Alpha Killian stood close to Eira as if that was exactly where he belonged.

Alpha Sebastian crossed the room and put himself between them.

Alpha Killian looked at him with open contempt.

"Nice of you to finally show up, Alpha Hale. Another minute in that bathtub, and your wife might not be alive."

Alpha Sebastian looked at Eira. "What happened?"

Eira took a sip of water before answering.

"Isabella stole a care package that belonged to me. She said I could get it back if I met her at Sterling House."

Serena’s fingers tightened around her purse.

"She made me drink a glass of wine. It was drugged. Then she took my phone and left me in a hotel room. A man came in, so I locked myself in the bathroom and used cold water to stay awake."

Sebastian’s face went pale.

"Alpha Killian and his staff found me in the tub," Eira finished.

"You think Isabella planned all that?" Alpha Sebastian asked. "She screws up, but this is way over the line. Maybe she didn’t know the wine was drugged."

Alpha Killian gave a cold laugh.

Serena lowered her eyes, hiding her satisfaction.

Eira looked at Alpha Sebastian without emotion.

"I’m not asking what you think."

He froze.

"I know what happened to me," she continued. "I’m filing a police report, and I’m pressing charges."

"Eira, hold on. We don’t have all the facts."

"You don’t. I do."

Alpha Killian stepped forward.

"Sterling House has the security footage, key card logs, wineglass, and test results. The police will get all of it."

He met Sebastian’s stare.

"Your sister isn’t walking away from this one."

"Is that a threat?" Alpha Sebastian asked.

"It’s a reality check."

Alpha Killian turned to leave.

In the hall, he handed Eira’s phone to Barry.

"Don’t let Hale take her anywhere until your grandmother clears her."

Barry glanced toward the treatment room.

"He’s her husband?"

"For now."

Barry raised his eyebrows. "That’s a hell of a mess."

Alpha Killian gave him a warning look.

Barry lifted both hands. "I’ve got it. She stays."

Alpha Killian left with Natalie.

--

When Barry returned, Alpha Sebastian was still making excuses for his sister.

"This could be a misunderstanding."

"Exactly," Serena said. "Bella can be spoiled, but she’d never plan something like this."

Eira looked straight at her.

"You’re half right. Isabella is mean enough to do it. She’s just not smart enough to come up with the plan."

Serena’s smile tightened. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"If Isabella had planned it, she would’ve shoved the wine at me the second I sat down. Instead, she showed off her diamond manicure, made me eat her leftovers, and offered me the drink last."

It had all felt normal because Isabella had humiliated Eira for years. The first two demands had made the third seem like more of the same.

Someone had understood Isabella’s habits and used them to lower Eira’s guard.

Serena crossed her arms. "Are you trying to blame me now?"

"I didn’t say your name."

"You didn’t have to."

Eira held her gaze. "Interesting."

Serena’s expression flickered.

"If you’re going to accuse me of something, bring proof," she said.

"Who says I don’t have any?"

It was a bluff, but Serena did not know that.

"Then let’s see it."

"Knock it off," Alpha Sebastian said. He turned to Eira. "I’ll talk to Isabella and get the truth."

"You mean you’ll give her time to get her story straight."

"That’s not what I said."

"It’s what you always do."

Alpha Sebastian fell silent. Then he reached for her hand.

"You’re freezing."

Eira pulled away. "Then don’t touch me."

He caught her hand again. "How did they treat you?"

"An herbal soak and acupuncture."

Sebastian’s eyes moved over her loose clinic clothes.

"And before that? Alpha Killian brought you here. Did he touch you?"

Eira stared at him.

She had been drugged, locked in a hotel room, and nearly drowned. Yet Sebastian’s first real concern was whether another man had put his hands on her.

"He saved my life," she said. "And he treated me with respect."

Alpha Sebastian gave a bitter laugh.

"Alpha Killian Sterling doesn’t do anything without an angle. He’s cold, ruthless, and always three steps ahead. Don’t confuse that with being a good guy."

"At least he showed up when I needed help."

The words landed hard.

Sebastian’s grip tightened around her hand.

"Do you even remember who your husband is?"

Alpha Sebastian grabbed Eira by the shoulders. His fingers dug in hard enough to make her wince.

His wolf pushed forward with his anger, sending a wave of Alpha pressure through the treatment room.

Eira felt the air grow heavy, but without a wolf, she did not react the way an Omega normally would.

"What do you think you’re doing?"

Mrs. Wood entered with a bowl of herbal medicine. She struck his arm with her cane.

"Hands off my patient."

Alpha Sebastian released Eira.

Mrs. Wood stepped between them. She had treated three generations of wolves in the Sterling Pack.

Rank carried weight almost everywhere else, but not in her treatment room.

"She was drugged, nearly drowned, and just went through a painful treatment," she snapped. "A healthy wolf might have burned through most of that drug by now. She doesn’t have one to help her."

Her eyes narrowed.

"You show up and start manhandling her instead of asking if she’s okay?"