Chapter 286 The Last Box

Chapter 286: Chapter 286 The Last Box

The moment Eira stepped back into her bedroom, she closed the door and leaned against it.

The half-packed room slowly brought her back to herself. After a minute, she crossed to the bed and sat down.

Her phone buzzed with another message from Lila.

Eira smiled despite herself and typed:

[Fine. You’re buying the coffee.]

She set the phone aside and headed for the bathroom.

Steam still clung to the mirror from Alpha Killian’s shower. Eira turned on the water and tested it with her hand.

Then she paused.

The temperature was exactly where she liked it in winter. Warm enough to relax her muscles, but not so hot that it left her skin flushed.

Alpha Killian had adjusted it back for her before leaving.

He had noticed.

The realization caught her off guard. He remembered small things most people missed.

Eira stood there for another moment, letting the water run over her wrist. Then she stepped into the shower and tried not to think about him standing in the same space only minutes earlier.

It didn’t work.

After washing up, she dried her hair, changed into soft pajamas, and climbed into bed.

Her phone lit up once more.

Lila: I knew you loved me.

Eira rolled her eyes, but a smile touched her mouth.

--

Before turning in, Alpha Killian checked the security feed one last time.

Alpha Sebastian was still standing outside Number Nine, motionless beneath the porch light. He looked less like a man waiting for forgiveness and more like a statue someone had forgotten to move.

Pathetic.

The night staff changed shifts. The dogs curled up in their kennels. One by one, the homes of Southridge Estates went dark.

Alpha Sebastian stayed.

He stood in the freezing California night until the sky began to pale.

Then the low rumble of a moving truck rolled through the gates.

He had not expected the movers so early.

When he rushed toward the driveway, a security guard stepped in front of him. "Back up."

"I only want to talk to her."

"She’s not available."

Alpha Sebastian tried to move around him, but another guard blocked the way. Every time he took a step forward, security redirected him with a firm hand.

So Alpha Sebastian stood there and watched.

Box after box came out of Eira’s house. Her books, clothes, laboratory supplies, and carefully wrapped personal belongings were loaded into the moving van.

Four years ago, Eira had left their shared home so quietly that he had barely noticed. By the time he understood what had happened, their divorce was already final.

Watching her leave now felt like a cruel second chance. As if the universe had placed her in front of him one last time and given him a final opportunity to stop her.

When Eira finally stepped outside, Alpha Killian stood beside her.

Mrs. Jones followed with a clipboard in hand.

Alpha Sebastian’s voice broke.

"Eira. Please, just hear me out."

His throat was raw from the cold and the long night.

"I can’t keep living without seeing you. I know I don’t deserve another chance, but let me try to make things right. Just once."

Alpha Killian’s hands tightened at his sides.

Eira stopped and drew a slow breath.

"What exactly are you asking for?"

"A chance."

"And because you want one, I’m supposed to give it to you?"

"Eira, I..."

"Stop."

Her voice was calm, which made it cut deeper.

"Stop turning your guilt into a love story. You’re not devastated because you lost me. You’re devastated because you lost control."

Alpha Sebastian went pale.

Eira continued toward the SUV.

"Do not come looking for me again."

The words struck harder than any slap.

Alpha Sebastian stood frozen as the last of his strength left him.

He did not shout. He did not chase her.

Eira climbed into the back seat. Alpha Killian got in beside her, and Mrs. Jones took the front passenger seat.

The SUV pulled away.

Alpha Sebastian remained beside the gate, watching the taillights disappear.

Once the moving truck left, the security team assigned to Number Nine returned to Number One.

Duke and Scout went with them. Since they had originally been placed there as part of Eira’s security detail, Alpha Killian arranged for them to return to the main estate.

That was the practical reason.

The truth was a little less practical.

Alpha Killian knew Eira would miss Duke and Scout.

If keeping them at the Number One meant she had one more reason to stop by someday, he wasn’t going to pretend he disliked that.

Alpha Sebastian watched the SUV’s taillights vanish beyond the gates.

Southridge Estates settled back into silence. Morning sunlight spilled over the hedges, bright and indifferent, as if nothing had happened.

He walked back to Number Eleven in a daze. The townhouse door unlocked beneath his shaking hand.

He made it three steps into the living room before his knees gave out.

His shoulder struck the hardwood first. Then the rest of him followed.

For a long moment, Alpha Sebastian lay motionless on the floor, staring at the pale ceiling.