Chapter 77 And If I Am?

"And if I am?"

Alpha Killian glanced at Eira. The wind had blown her hair across her face, and the cold had turned the tip of her nose pink.

He quietly moved to her other side, blocking the wind.

Alpha Sebastian’s face darkened. His wolf bristled at the sight of another Alpha protecting his Luna. A wave of Alpha pressure rolled off him.

Alpha Killian’s own power rose to meet it, cold and controlled. The air between them grew heavy.

"Careful, Alpha Killian. How would the Sterling board and your pack elders feel about tomorrow’s headline? Sterling Alpha Goes After Another Alpha’s Luna?"

Alpha Killian smiled.

"Another Alpha’s Luna? That’s funny. No one even knows you have a Luna."

Alpha Sebastian went still.

"What people do know is that you show up everywhere with Serena Winthrop," Alpha Killian continued. "You took her to the industry gala. You kept her at your side like your future Luna. Half the city already assumes she’ll lead the Hale Pack with you."

"She’s a friend."

"Right. A friend who carries your scent everywhere she goes."

Alpha Sebastian’s Alpha pressure sharpened, but Alpha Killian did not so much as blink.

"Eira will always be my Luna."

"Will she?"

Eira’s breath caught. "Alpha Killian."

Alpha Killian looked at her. "Did I get that wrong?"

She said nothing.

The divorce was still private, and Alpha Sebastian clearly had no idea it was coming.

Alpha Killian turned back to him. "You hid your Lunafor four years and paraded another she-wolf around in front of every major pack in the city. Now you want to bare your teeth and play the devoted mate. That’s rich."

"Watch your mouth," Alpha Sebastian snapped. "Serena is not my mistress. Eira knows that."

Eira gave him a tired look. "Of course. Just friends. Same story, different day."

Relief flashed across Alpha Sebastian’s face. He still thought she believed him.

Alpha Killian almost laughed. "Alpha Sebastian. A word."

He took out his phone and opened a video from the industry gala. The screen showed Alpha Sebastian and Serena alone in a dark corner, kissing.

Alpha Sebastian’s face lost all color. "Where did you get that?"

"Wrong place, wrong time for you. Great timing for me."

Alpha Killian raised the volume slightly.

Alpha Sebastian reached for the phone. "Turn it off."

Alpha Killian pulled it out of reach.

"Let Eira decide where she goes. Stop grabbing her, locking her in cars, and pressuring her to change her police statement."

"And if I don’t?"

"She gets the video. So does every business reporter in the city."

Alpha Sebastian stared at him.

"You’d start a public scandal over my Luna?"

"No. You started it. I’d just hit send."

For several seconds, neither man spoke.

Then Alpha Sebastian lowered his voice.

"What do you want with her? With your name and money, you could have any woman you wanted."

"That’s none of your business."

Alpha Killian held his gaze. "Your call. Let her go, or explain that video to her and the press."

Alpha Sebastian looked toward Eira. She stood several feet away, rubbing the red marks on her wrist.

His expression tightened. "Where are you taking her?"

"Wherever she wants to go."

It was not the answer Alpha Sebastian wanted, but he had run out of room to argue.

Alpha Killian signaled to his driver, who called for the Sterling family’s backup car.

A black SUV arrived a few minutes later.

The driver handed Alpha Sebastian a business card. "Our insurance company will contact you about the Bentley. You can send the repair bill to this number."

Alpha Sebastian refused the card. "I can pay for my own car."

"Good for you," Alpha Killian said.

Alpha Sebastian turned to Eira. "Fine. Keep your statement. Just come home with me."

"I don’t want to go back to the Hale estate."

His frustration showed. "Why not?"

"Because I don’t want to."

"That’s not a reason."

"It’s the only one you’re getting."

Alpha Killian opened the SUV door and waited.

Eira did not know what Alpha Killian had shown Alpha Sebastian or what the two men had said to each other. She only knew Alpha Sebastian had backed off afterward.

It was not because he respected her choice. Something about Alpha Killian had made him think twice.

People like Alpha Sebastian only backed down when someone with more power pushed back.

Eira got into the SUV. Alpha Killian followed, and the door closed behind them.

As the car pulled away, Alpha Sebastian remained on the shoulder, watching them leave.

"Thank you," Eira said quietly. "Again. Two dinners don’t begin to cover what I owe you. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, just ask."

"Don’t quit."

Eira blinked. "Except that."

Alpha Killian’s expression cooled.

"I can’t stay," she explained. "This job was always temporary."

"You just said I could ask for anything."

"Anything I can give."

Silence filled the SUV.

After a moment, Alpha Killian tried a different approach.

"You’re making well above the local average. If you leave Alpha Sebastian, that income gives you options. You won’t need his money, and he won’t get to call the shots."

Eira went still.

He was not simply talking about a job. He was reminding her that financial freedom could give her a clean break.

Her voice softened. "Thank you. I mean that."

"So stay."

"No."

Alpha Killian turned toward the window.

Stubborn woman.

"Take us to the Thorne Estate," he told the driver.

"Actually, could you drop me off at Southridge Estates?" Eira asked.

She and Mrs. Thorne had already discussed the move. The Thorne estate was too far from Sterling Tower and Silix Institute.

Southridge Estates would make everything easier. If Sebastian came looking for her, Mrs. Thorne would let him believe she was still staying at the estate.

Alpha Killian turned to her. "Southridge?"

"It’s nearby."

He knew that better than anyone. He lived there.

The SUV entered the gated community, and the security system scanned the vehicle’s tag.

"Welcome home, Alpha Killian," a voice said over the speaker.

Eira looked at Alpha Killian in surprise.

"You live here?"

"At Number One." He studied her. "Where are you going?"

"Nine Southridge Lane."

The SUV stopped outside Number Nine. Eira entered the security code, waved goodbye, and disappeared into the house.

Alpha Killian watched the door close.

Then he called Miles. "Run a property search on Nine Southridge Lane."