Chapter 80 When Sterling Makes His Move

"Just a small burn."

Eira held her thumb under cool running water, then found the first aid kit beneath the sink. By the time Alpha Killian reached her, she was already applying burn gel.

No panic. No complaints.

She clearly had no trouble taking care of herself.

Alpha Killian pulled out his phone and texted his mother.

[She doesn’t need anyone. What am I supposed to do with that?]

Luna Seraphina replied almost at once.

[Make yourself useful without trying to take over.]

A second message followed.

[And remember, she is still married.]

[Not for long.]

Alpha Killian put away his phone and saw Eira reaching for the gauze.

"Give me that."

"I can do it."

He took the gauze anyway, knelt in front of her, and carefully wrapped her thumb.

Eira watched him in silence.

"Thank you, Alpha Killian."

She started to get up, but he gently pressed her back onto the couch.

"Sit tight."

"I still owe you tea."

"I think I can manage." Alpha Killian returned with the kettle, two mugs, and the old plastic jar from the counter. He turned it over in his hand.

"This jar has seen better days."

"It came from the orphanage. "Eira quickly took it from him.

Alpha Killian caught the change in her expression. "I meant the container."

"I know." She still held it tightly.

Alpha Killian held out his hand. "Truce?"

After a moment, she handed it back.

He opened the lid. The scent of elderflower and wild mint drifted into the room. His wolf stirred, then slowly settled.

"This is a calming blend," he said.

"Miss Gwen used to make it for the younger wolves when they had trouble controlling their first shifts."

"And for you?"

"I don’t have a wolf, but she never left me out."

Alpha Killian looked at her.

Eira’s tone was casual, but he heard what she had not said. She had grown up surrounded by young wolves and pack traditions she could never fully share.

He added a small pinch to each mug.

"Easy," she warned. "That has to last until next fall."

Alpha Killian stopped at once.

"You only get one jar a year?"

"The kids gather the herbs on the hills behind the orphanage. Miss Gwen dries them and makes a jar for everyone who has moved away."

Alpha Killian handed her a mug.

"So it’s a pack tradition."

Eira shook her head. "More like a family tradition."

Something in Alpha Killian’s chest tightened.

They sat across from each other as the herbs steeped. The warm scent filled the empty house, making it feel a little less cold.

"We used to race to see who could fill a basket first," Eira said. "The wolf kids cheated. They could smell the best patches from half a mile away."

"What did you do?"

"I followed them."

Alpha Killian raised an eyebrow.

"Then I got there first and took the best ones."

A quiet laugh escaped him. "Smart."

"They called it cheating."

"They were using wolf senses against you. All you did was even the odds."

Eira looked at him over the rim of her mug. "That’s exactly what I told them."

Her scent softened again.

Alpha Killian’s wolf relaxed, pleased that she no longer seemed ready to hide behind her walls.

"We picked yarrow too," she added. "Miss Gwen kept it for cuts and injuries."

Alpha Killian waited for her to continue.

When she did not, he asked, "And?"

"And what?"

"What happened with the yarrow?"

Eira gave him a strange look. "This isn’t story time."

"Could’ve fooled me."

A faint smile touched her lips.

Alpha Sebastian had always treated her childhood like something she should forget. Alpha Killian simply listened. To him, the memories mattered because they belonged to her.

The doorbell rang before she could say more.

Dinner from Mrs. Thorne had arrived.

Eira brought the bags inside and found Alpha Killian still on the couch, making no move to leave.

"Have you eaten?"

"No."

"You planning to stick around?"

Alpha Killian leaned back. "Depends. Are you inviting me?"

"There’s plenty." She carried the bags toward the dining room. "You might as well stay."

--

During dinner, Eira checked her phone.

Another message from Alpha Sebastian waited on the screen.

[If you don’t answer, I’m staying outside the Thorne estate all night.]

Her jaw tightened. Mrs. Thorne had already sent him away once, yet he was still hanging around and making a scene.

Eira opened the spare number she used for private matters and texted Serena.

[Alpha Sebastian is outside the Thorne estate. You should go get him before he spends the whole night there.]

Serena replied almost at once.

[Who is this?]

Eira muted the conversation and returned to her dinner. Serena would figure out the rest. She always did when Alpha Sebastian was involved.

Across the table, Alpha Killian watched her set down the phone.

"You cooked for Lila."

Eira looked up. "She helped me with something."

"I’ve helped you twice."

There was no missing his point.

Eira held back a smile. "Are you asking me to cook for you?"

"I’m saying it would be fair."

"All right. What do you like?"

"Surprise me."

"That’s not very helpful."

"I’m not picky."

His wolf clearly disagreed. It had already decided anything made by Eira would do.

"I’ll figure something out," she said.

Alpha Killian finished the rest of his dinner without rushing. Afterward, he helped carry the empty containers to the kitchen, then put on his coat.

Eira walked him to the door.

"Thank you for stopping by."

Alpha Killian glanced at her bandaged thumb. "Try not to injure yourself again tonight."

"I’ll do my best."

"And don’t answer the door for Hale."

"I wasn’t planning to."

Alpha Killian gave a satisfied nod and stepped outside.

Once he reached Number One, he pulled out his phone and opened his mother’s contact.

Luna Seraphina’s advice had worked. He had helped without taking over, stayed for dinner, and secured another invitation.

After a moment, he changed her contact name to: Strategic Advisor

--

Serena found Alpha Sebastian parked across from the Thorne estate in a borrowed sedan, smoking behind the wheel.

She opened the passenger door and slid inside.

"Sebastian?"

He kept his eyes on the estate gates.

Serena glanced around the unfamiliar car. "Where’s your Bentley?"

"Wrecked."

Her eyes widened. "What happened?"

"Alpha Killian Sterling happened."

Earlier that evening, Alpha Killian had forced his car off the road and taken Eira with him. The memory made Alpha Sebastian’s wolf pace beneath his skin.

He took another drag and flicked the ash out the window.

Serena frowned. "Since when do you smoke?"

"Since you left."

His answer came too quickly.

Alpha Sebastian looked down at the cigarette. He had started smoking after Serena walked away years ago, but he had quit after his mating ceremony with Eira.

Eira hated the smell.

For four years, he had not touched a single cigarette.

Until tonight.