Chapter 72 Isabella Gets Arrested

Anger flashed across Alpha Sebastian’s face, but Mrs. Wood did not back down.

"Alpha Killian showed her more care tonight than you have. He brought her water, found her towels, and listened when I told him what she needed."

Alpha Sebastian’s face darkened at Alpha Killian’s name.

Mrs. Wood pointed her cane toward the door.

"If you can’t put your jealousy aside for five minutes, you can wait outside."

"She’s still in pain?" Alpha Sebastian asked.

"I already told you I had acupuncture," Eira said.

Barry took the bowl from his grandmother and handed it to Eira.

"Give her some room," he told Alpha Sebastian and Serena. "You’re crowding her."

"Thank you, Dr. Wood. Thank you, Mrs. Wood."

"Drink up, sweetheart," Mrs. Wood said. "It’s bitter, but it should help. I would’ve added honey if we’d had more time."

"It’s okay."

Eira managed a tired smile and slowly finished the medicine.

Mrs. Wood’s expression softened. During the treatment, Eira had gripped the side of the tub and endured every needle without complaint. She had been through enough for one night.

Alpha Sebastian stepped forward.

"Thank you for helping her. I’ll take her home now."

"No," Barry said.

Alpha Sebastian looked at him. "Excuse me?"

"She needs to stay overnight for observation."

Mrs. Wood caught Barry’s meaning and nodded.

"That’s right. Her heart rate still isn’t stable, and we don’t know how long the drug will remain in her system."

"I can watch her at home," Alpha Sebastian said.

Mrs. Wood gave him a flat look.

"You had your chance to look after her. She stays."

Barry opened the door.

"We’re a small private clinic, so we don’t have room for visitors. You can check on her tomorrow."

Mrs. Wood turned to Eira.

"You can stay in my room tonight. Think you can put up with an old lady?"

Eira nodded. "Thank you."

"Good. That’s settled."

Mrs. Wood offered her an arm. Eira stood, but her knees nearly gave out.

Alpha Sebastian reached for her.

Before he could touch her, Eira caught the back of the chair and steadied herself.

His hand stopped in midair.

Serena saw the instinctive concern on his face and tightened her grip on her purse.

The plan had blown up in her face. Instead of catching Eira with another man, Alpha Sebastian had found her hurt and surrounded by people who blamed his sister.

"We should go," Serena said quickly. "We can pick Eira up tomorrow."

"Don’t bother," Eira said. "I have work."

Alpha Sebastian frowned. "You’re going to work after all this?"

"I’ll decide in the morning."

"Or do you already have plans with someone?"

Eira was too exhausted to take the bait.

Alpha Sebastian’s frustration flared.

"So now you’re giving me the silent treatment?"

He grabbed her wrist.

Eira looked down at his hand, then at Serena’s satisfied smile.

"When did you become like this?" Alpha Sebastian demanded.

Eira raised her eyes to his.

"When did you start noticing?"

Before Alpha Sebastian could answer, his phone rang.

"It’s Bella," Serena said.

He answered, and his expression changed almost at once.

"I’m coming."

Alpha Sebastian hung up and turned to Eira. "I have to go. Stay put. I’ll pick you up tomorrow."

"Don’t bother."

He ignored her. "Let’s go, Serena."

She followed him out.

Once they were gone, Barry locked the clinic door and handed Eira her phone. "Alpha Killian told me to give this back."

Eira looked at the screen. "So that’s how he found me."

Barry hesitated. "Alpha Sebastian isn’t your ex yet, is he?"

"Not officially."

"And Serena?"

Eira’s gaze dropped. "She’s the woman he loves."

Barry had already connected the dots. The whole thing was a train wreck, but it was none of his business.

"Thanks for letting me stay," Eira said.

"Thank Alpha Killian. He told me not to let Hale take you anywhere."

Barry checked the time.

"It’s two in the morning. Get some sleep."

He sent Alpha Killian a quick update.

[Alpha Sebastian’s gone. Eira is staying here tonight. She’s safe.]

Across town, Alpha Killian read the message and finally breathed easier.

A text from Eira appeared next.

[Thank you for saving me tonight, Alpha Killian. Dinner’s on me next time.]

[Fine.]

[Get some sleep.]

A low-battery warning flashed across Alpha Killian’s screen.

[I have your suitcase.]

[Please keep it safe. It means a lot to me.]

Before he could answer, his phone died.

Eira waited a few minutes, then set her phone aside. Exhaustion took over, and she fell asleep.

--

When Alpha Sebastian returned to Sterling House, Isabella was sitting on the lobby floor in the middle of a full-blown meltdown. Two police officers stood nearby while several guests watched from a distance.

"I already told you, I didn’t do anything!" she cried. "You can’t haul me downtown over some made-up story."

"We have a formal complaint, hotel footage, and physical evidence," the lead officer said. "You need to come with us and answer some questions."

"I’m not going anywhere until my brother gets here."

She had been stalling the whole time.

The moment she spotted Alpha Sebastian, she jumped up and ran to him.

"Sebastian! They’re trying to pin this on me."

Alpha Sebastian stepped between her and the officers.

"There must be some misunderstanding."

"That’s what the investigation will determine, Mr. Hale," the officer said. "Sterling House reported a suspected drugging on its property. Miss Crawford also gave a statement accusing your sister of taking her phone and leaving her in a room where another man later entered."

Alpha Sebastian’s expression tightened.

"My sister says she had nothing to do with it."

"And she’ll have a chance to explain that at the station. If she wants an attorney present, she can call one."

The officer nodded to his partner.

"Let’s go."

When the second officer reached for her, Isabella grabbed Alpha Sebastian’s sleeve.

"No. I’m not going with them." Her voice rose. "Eira made this whole thing up. She’s trying to ruin me!"

"Bella, calm down," Alpha Sebastian said.

"Make them stop. You always fix things for me."

The officers pulled her hands behind her and placed her in handcuffs.

"Sebastian!" Isabella screamed as they led her outside. "Call the family lawyer. I’m suing Eira for defamation!"

Alpha Sebastian watched them put his sister into the back of a patrol car.

Serena moved to his side, wearing a worried expression.

"I can’t believe Eira let it go this far," she said softly.

"The hotel called the police," Alpha Sebastian replied.

"At Alpha Killian’s order," Serena reminded him. "And Eira filed her own report."

Alpha Sebastian said nothing.

Serena lowered her voice.

"This isn’t only about Bella anymore. Eira is working with Alpha Killian to go after your family."

His jaw tightened.

Serena touched his arm.

"Whatever happened between you and Eira, she shouldn’t be using another man to punish your sister. She knows exactly what that does to you."

Alpha Sebastian stared after the patrol car, his expression growing colder.