Chapter 85 The Kind of Handsome Man Who Turns Out to Be Rotten
Halfway through dinner, Eira’s phone buzzed.
A text from Rachel flashed across the screen.
[Your husband is here!]
Eira set down her fork.
"Excuse me, Alpha Killian."
She stepped away from the table and answered Rachel’s call.
"What happened?"
"Your husband showed up with flowers," Rachel whispered. "The receptionist called me Mrs. Hale right in front of him. I ducked into the restroom, but he’s waiting outside. What am I supposed to do?"
Eira opened Alpha Sebastian’s messages. He had asked several times if she was having cramps and whether she still planned to attend class.
When she failed to answer, he must have decided to surprise her.
"Stay where you are," Eira said. "Keep quiet and don’t come out until I call."
"What about Sebastian?"
"I’ll handle him."
Eira ended the call and returned to the table.
"I’m sorry, but something came up. I have to go."
Alpha Killian set down his fork. "What happened?"
"It’s complicated."
"Try me."
Eira checked the time. She had no room to argue.
"Sebastian signed me up for a fertility class. I hired someone to check in for me, and he just showed up there with flowers. She’s hiding in the restroom."
Alpha Killian stared at her.
"You hired a stand-in for fertility class?"
"Yes."
A hint of amusement touched his eyes, but it disappeared quickly.
"And now you’re running over there to save her."
"I have to get her out before Sebastian figures it out."
Alpha Killian’s expression cooled. "You’re still worried about keeping him happy?"
"No. I’m trying to keep the divorce simple."
Eira grabbed her purse.
"If he learns I’ve been faking the classes, he’ll use it to start another fight. He could drag out the divorce, demand more financial records, and make the whole thing a nightmare."
The Sovereign Processor project was close to moving forward. If the divorce stalled until the money started coming in, Alpha Sebastian might try to claim part of it as marital income.
She would not let her work bankroll the Hales or Serena.
"I can’t hand him ammunition," she said.
Alpha Killian stood and reached for his jacket.
"I’ll drive you."
Eira stopped him.
"You can’t."
"Why not?"
"Sebastian already thinks you’re using me to get at him. If I show up in your car, he’ll lose it."
Alpha Killian gave a short, humorless laugh. His Alpha scent sharpened.
"So now I’m supposed to hide because Hale can’t control his wolf?"
"I’m asking you not to turn a bad situation into a pack challenge."
For a moment, neither moved.
Then Alpha Killian sat back down.
"Fine."
"Thank you. And I’m sorry about dinner."
Eira hurried toward the door.
Alpha Killian watched her leave, his wolf pacing beneath his skin.
She had cooked him a full meal, only to run off and clean up another mess Alpha Sebastian had made.
He was getting tired of watching Hale take priority, even when Eira claimed he no longer mattered.
---
In the rideshare, Eira texted Alpha Sebastian to buy herself time.
[My period started. I wasn’t prepared, and I bled through my clothes.]
[Can you grab these pads for me?]
She attached a photo.
His reply came a minute later.
[I’ll ask the front desk.]
Eira’s stomach dropped. Of course he had to play the perfect husband.
[They won’t have this brand. The others give me a rash. Please just go to the drugstore.]
After a short pause, he replied.
[You never ask me for things like this.]
Then another message followed.
[I’m glad you finally feel like you can.]
Eira ignored the comment.
[Will you get them or not?]
[Yeah. There’s a CVS down the street. I’m heading there now.]
[Thanks.]
That bought her ten minutes. Maybe fifteen.
The moment her rideshare stopped outside the clinic, Eira put on a mask and hurried inside. Alpha Sebastian was gone.
She went straight to the women’s restroom and knocked on the last stall.
"It’s me."
Rachel opened the door and exhaled hard.
"Thank God. I thought I was toast."
"Keep your voice down. We need to switch jackets."
They traded coats. Rachel pulled her hair into a ponytail and removed her mask. Eira let her own hair fall loose, then zipped Rachel’s jacket high enough to hide her clothes.
Rachel looked her over. "Why are we pulling a whole Mission: Impossible routine? Can’t you just tell your husband you’re done with the class?"
"He won’t take no for an answer."
"That bad?"
"He’s sleeping with someone else, and he still expects me to have his baby."
Rachel stared at her.
"What a dirtbag."
"Exactly."
Eira adjusted her mask.
"You leave. I’ll meet him in the lobby and get him out of here."
Rachel nodded. "Text me when the coast is clear."
She stepped into the hallway and nearly walked straight into Alpha Sebastian.
He was back already.
White shirt. Dark vest. Red roses in one hand and a CVS bag in the other.
He looked like the perfect husband.
Rachel knew he was full of it.
She lowered her head and tried to pass him.
"Excuse me, miss."
Rachel stopped cold.
Inside the restroom, Eira froze with her hand on the door.
Alpha Sebastian’s gaze dropped to Rachel’s jacket.
"Were you just in the fertility class?"