Chapter 82 Deflection and Delusion

Serena’s smile turned bitter. "Is that really what you think?"

She could believe Alpha Killian had no interest in Eira. But using another Alpha’s Luna as bait sounded more like an excuse Alpha Sebastian had made up to protect his pride.

"Yes," he said firmly.

Serena changed the subject. "Did you come here to see Eira?"

Alpha Sebastian looked toward the gates. "I wanted to apologize. She won’t see me."

His shoulders sagged.

Alpha Sebastian Hale had always been the golden boy of the Hale Pack. Sharp, driven, and impossible to shake.

Serena had only seen him lose control once before, when she left California.

Now Eira was having the same effect on him.

That scared her.

"Why is she staying here?" Serena asked. "This neighborhood isn’t exactly cheap."

"It belongs to her late mentor’s widow."

Alpha Sebastian paused. "Eira worked hard in school. She earned a master’s degree, but she never went for a doctorate. Now she has an admin job at Sterling Tower."

Serena glanced at the estate again.

For a moment, she wondered who Eira’s mentor had been. This estate was worth a fortune.

If Crawford’s research reached the market, the patents alone could be worth far more than this house.

Could the property be connected to Dr. Crawford?

But Dr. Crawford was believed to be young, not the elderly widow Alpha Sebastian had described.

It was probably nothing.

Serena leaned closer and smiled. "You never say anything bad about Eira. That’s interesting."

Alpha Sebastian glanced at her. "What about me?"

"You’re exceptional," he replied automatically. "You’re doing serious research and producing real results. Not many people can do that."

"And you’re incredible too," Serena said. "You didn’t inherit your position. You fought your way to the top. That must have cost you a lot."

Alpha Sebastian went still.

Eira had said almost the same thing when he became president of Hale Group.

"Sebastian?" Serena’s voice pulled him back.

"It’s nothing." But his scent had changed. Regret had slipped through his usual Alpha control.

Serena knew at once that he had been thinking about Eira.

She could not let him sit outside the estate all night, turning guilt into something deeper.

Serena suddenly gasped and pressed a hand to her stomach.

Alpha Sebastian turned to her. "What’s wrong?"

"I don’t know. It hurts."

Her face tightened as if another cramp had hit.

"I think I need a doctor."

Alpha Sebastian’s attention shifted to her at once. He started the car and drove away from the estate.

At a nearby hospital, the tests came back normal.

"It’s probably related to your cycle," the doctor said. "Rest, drink plenty of water, and come back if it gets worse."

Serena noticed the relief on Alpha Sebastian’s face.

Her period was not due for another two weeks. Still, if it failed to come, she might be able to use that.

As they left the exam room, she leaned against his arm.

"Could you make me some ginger tea when we get home?"

"I want cinnamon bread pudding," Alpha Sebastian said absently.

Serena stopped.

"What?"

Alpha Sebastian froze.

That had nothing to do with her request.

He had been thinking about Eira again.

--

Meanwhile, Eira decided to cook Alpha Killian a proper thank-you dinner.

Since he had only told her to surprise him, she texted Lila.

Eira: What does your brother like to eat? I’m making him dinner to thank him.

Lila called seconds later.

"So he actually talked you into cooking for him?"

"He helped me twice."

"And dinner was his price?" Lila laughed. "What a wimp."

Eira frowned. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing. My brother’s a pain in the ass when it comes to food. I’ll get you a list from our chef."

"Could you put it in a spreadsheet?"

"Of course you’d ask for a spreadsheet."

"It’s more efficient."

"Fine. I’ll drop it off later."

Lila ended the call and drove to the Sterling Manor.

She found the family chef in the kitchen and opened a new spreadsheet on her tablet.

"Give me the basics. What will Alpha Killian eat, and what won’t he touch?"

The chef raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care?"

"I don’t. Eira does."

A knowing smile crossed his face. "So that’s where this is going."

Lila narrowed her eyes. "What do you know?"

"Only that your mother threatened to divorce your father if he cost her a future Luna Sterling."

Lila burst out laughing, then stopped.

"Wait. What did Dad do?"

"He approved the Hale settlement after the incident at Sterling House."

"What incident?"

The chef gave her the short version.

By the time he finished, Lila’s smile was gone.

She grabbed the tablet and stormed out.

--

Sterling Group

Alpha Killian was in a strategy meeting down the hall, leaving Eira alone in his office to organize the files on his side desk.

She had been kept away from active projects because her position was temporary.

In less than two weeks, she would be gone.

The office door suddenly flew open.

"Eira!"

Eira looked up.

Lila stood in the doorway, her eyes red and her scent sharp with anger.

"Why didn’t you tell me what happened at Sterling House?"

Eira went still.

"I had to hear it from our chef," Lila continued. "I thought we were friends."

"We are."

"Then why didn’t you call me?"

Eira crossed the room and pulled her into a hug.

"I’m sorry."

Lila held on to her.

"You didn’t do anything wrong. I just want you to know you don’t have to handle everything alone." Her wolf stirred protectively beneath her skin. "I can raise hell. I can throw a punch. And if that doesn’t work, my last name usually does."

A small smile touched Eira’s lips.

"I’ll call you next time."

"Good. Call in the cavalry."

"You’re the cavalry?"

"No." Lila pulled back and wiped her eyes. "That would be my brother. I’m more of a warning shot."

She handed Eira her tablet.

"Here’s the list you asked for. Every food Killian won’t touch."

Eira glanced at the long spreadsheet. "There are six tabs."

"I told you he was picky. Honestly, give him water and tell him dinner’s canceled."

"Still trashing me behind my back?"

Alpha Killian’s voice came from the doorway.

Lila spun around. He had returned from the meeting and stood with his arms folded.

His expression was cold, but his wolf relaxed when it caught Eira’s calm scent. She was safe.

"I’m helping," Lila said.

"You’re doing a great job."

She could hear the sarcasm.

Her phone buzzed before she could fire back. Professor Chase was calling.

"I need to take this."

Lila stepped into the hall.

"Professor?"

"I just emailed you several papers," Professor Chase said. "They’re all by the same researcher. Her approach to chip architecture may help with your prototype."

"I’ll read them tonight."

"Don’t just skim them. Study the models. This researcher is the real deal."

"Got it. Thanks."

Lila ended the call and opened the first paper.

Alpha Killian stepped into the hall behind her.

"Who was that?"

Lila jumped. "Seriously? Ever heard of personal space?"

"You were standing outside my office."

"Professor Chase sent me some papers. Happy?"

Alpha Killian glanced at her screen.

The paper focused on a new chip architecture that could lower energy use without reducing processing speed. The work was advanced enough to hold his attention at once.

Then he saw the author’s name.

Eira...

His gaze sharpened.