Chapter 256 The Alpha Who Waited

Chapter 256: Chapter 256 The Alpha Who Waited

The moment they stepped out of the lab, the winter wind cut through Eira’s clothes.

She flinched and pulled her jacket tighter around her body.

Alpha Killian noticed.Without a word, he removed his overcoat and draped it over her shoulders. The heavy wool covered her nearly to the knees.

Warmth closed around her, carrying the faint scent of clean soap, and something darker that belonged only to him.

"I’m already wearing a coat," Eira said.

"You’re still cold."

His hand lingered at her shoulder for one extra second before he stepped back.

They walked toward the waiting car, their breath turning white in the dark.

"Susan couldn’t reach you," Alpha Killian said. "She asked me to pass along a message. Tomorrow’s hearing has been delayed for one week."

Eira stopped. "Delayed?"

"Both defendants were ruled medically unfit to appear. Sebastian is still hospitalized, and Serena’s attorney submitted medical records requiring strict bed rest after the miscarriage."

"So the judge granted the continuance."

"Yes."

Eira resumed walking. "That was fast."

"Her attorney is experienced. Mason. A well-known lawyer out of Washington, D.C."

"D.C.?" Eira repeated.

"Too early to say whether Vincent or Lainey is paying the bill."

At Lainey’s name, Eira’s brows drew together.

Alpha Killian caught it immediately. "What is it?"

"Nothing."

"Eira."

She glanced at him. His tone had turned serious.

"It’s not Vincent," she said. "It’s Lainey. Something about her feels wrong."

Alpha Killian studied her for a moment. "Tell me."

The driver opened the rear door. Eira slid inside, and Alpha Killian followed.

The door shut, sealing them away from the cold and the soft hiss of the tires on the road.

"The first time I met Lainey, we bumped into each other at a coffee shop," Eira said. "She apologized and insisted on buying my drink. It seemed harmless."

Alpha Killian’s eyes narrowed.

"The second time was at your family’s estate. She asked for my number and said she wanted me to model for her."

"Model for her? You’re not a model."

"Exactly. So why would she ask me?"

"And the third time?"

"At the Omega Home. She was already there when I arrived. She had paperwork ready and was filming a charity video."

"She left before the filming was finished. That was the same day we were leaving town."

Alpha Killian’s jaw tightened. "You think she was looking into you."

"I think she has been collecting information about me."

For a moment, only the quiet hum of the car filled the space.

"Could she be interested in the Sovereign project?" he asked.

"Maybe. But it felt personal."

Alpha Killian’s hand closed around his knee.

"Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"I didn’t have proof."

"You don’t need proof to tell me someone is watching you."

Eira turned toward him. "What would you have done?"

"I would have handled it."His eyes met hers. "If Lainey has touched your life for the wrong reason, I’ll find out why."

The words were calm, but the promise beneath them was not.

Eira looked away and pulled out her phone. She messaged Susan about the delay. Susan replied within minutes.

[No change. The evidence is strong. The outcome should be the same.]

Eira’s shoulders loosened.

The car stopped outside Number Nine. She stepped out and removed Alpha Killian’s coat.

"Thank you."

She held it toward him.

Alpha Killian took it, but his gaze stayed on her. "Keep it."

"I have my own coat."

"Not one that keeps you warm."

"Killian."

Then she gave the coat back anyway. "Good night."

He watched her walk through the gate and disappear behind the front door.

Only then did he turn to the driver.

"Take me back to Sterling estate."

Once the car pulled away, Alpha Killian called Miles.

"Find out what Lainey Crawford has been doing lately. I want anything connected to Eira. Her contacts, travel, finances, and every event where their paths crossed."

Miles was silent for half a beat.

"Understood."

Alpha Killian ended the call and looked down at the coat in his lap.

Without thinking, he lifted the collar to his face.

A faint scent clung to the wool. It was clean and warm, with a trace of Eira beneath it. The fragrance slipped into his lungs and settled somewhere deep inside him.

For one reckless moment, he imagined pulling her against his chest instead of handing the coat back.

He imagined her cheek resting beneath his jaw, her slender body fitting against him as naturally as if she belonged there. He could almost feel the warmth of her through the layers of fabric.

Rowan stirred hard inside him.

[Bring her back.]

Alpha Killian’s breath caught. Heat moved through his body, sudden and unmistakable.

His fingers tightened around the coat, and his jaw locked as he forced himself to look out the window.

When the car reached the Sterling estate, Alpha Killian stepped out without putting on the coat.

He did not hand it to the housekeeper either. He carried it inside and draped it over the back of his chair, where the scent could remain close.

Luna Seraphina noticed immediately.

"It’s freezing outside," she said, watching him with open amusement. "Why did you bring that home?"

Alpha Killian met her gaze. "Eira was wearing it."

His mother’s smile widened. She crossed the sitting room and settled beside her husband.

Alpha Julian looked up from his tablet. "There’s a reason I called you here. Henry Crawford will be in Palo Alto on business later this week. Your mother and I will already be at the Reed estate, so you’ll host him."

"Nothing formal," Luna Seraphina added. "Dinner, a guest room, and basic hospitality."

"When?"

"Later this week."

"I’m unavailable."

Alpha Julian raised a brow. "You have another meeting?"

"Eira’s hearing was delayed by a week. I’ll be in court."

His voice remained calm, but his answer left no room for debate.

"When she takes the stand, I’ll be there for every minute. She is not walking into that courtroom alone."

The words landed with the weight of a final ruling.

Alpha Julian and Luna Seraphina exchanged a glance. Neither objected. They had seen the way Alpha Killian watched Eira. This was no passing interest.

"Henry’s schedule can wait," Alpha Julian said. "We’ll move the visit."

"Thank you."

Luna Seraphina glanced at the coat on the chair. "You’re welcome. Though I suspect Eira would appreciate the sacrifice more than Henry."

Alpha Killian’s eyes narrowed.

His mother only smiled.