Chapter 272 The Name He Couldn’t Place

Chapter 272: Chapter 272 The Name He Couldn’t Place

Vincent kept his expression neutral, but inside, his thoughts churned.

Alpha Killian’s brief comment about the hearing had told him enough. Serena had lost. Vincent was almost certain of it.

He spent the rest of the afternoon moving through conversations on autopilot. Lainey carried most of the small talk, filling every awkward pause with a polished smile and a harmless question. On the surface, the peace held.

Across the room, Alpha Killian glanced toward Kate and Natalie.

They understood immediately. Kate stayed near him while Natalie stepped aside and called Miles.

"How did lunch go?" Natalie asked. "Eira, Lila, everyone else?"

"Fine," Miles said. "No alcohol. They left separately afterward. Dr. Wood also asked me to tell Alpha that he has information about Eira. He wants a call when Killian’s free."

Natalie waited until Alpha Killian was no longer speaking with Alpha Henry, then passed along the message.

Alpha Killian checked his phone. A text from Barry was already waiting.

[I found something in Eira’s welfare-home records. Call me.]

Alpha Killian typed a quick reply with one hand and slipped the phone back into his pocket.

"Is dinner set?"

"Luna Seraphina and Alpha Julian chose the restaurant before they left for D.C.," Natalie said. "We’re heading there now."

Alpha Killian nodded.

Dinner brought everyone back together, including Yale.

The private room at the Clearhaven glowed with amber light, polished wood, and the soft clink of crystal against china.

Alpha Henry watched his children from the head of the table.

Lainey kept fussing over Alpha Killian without even realizing it, adjusting his napkin, refilling his tea, and asking if he needed anything else.

Vincent, meanwhile, kept needling Alpha Killian with quiet, carefully chosen remarks.

Alpha Killian ignored both of them.

Alpha Henry decided not to interfere. Adults had to clean up their own messes.

He lifted his glass. "Killian, when are your parents coming back from D.C.?"

"Whenever my mother is ready," Alpha Killian said. "She loves staying at the Reed estate. My father won’t leave without her."

Alpha Henry laughed under his breath. "Then I might still catch them before I go."

Lainey looked up from her plate. "When are you leaving, Dad?"

"That depends on you. When will you be finished with work? Christmas is coming up."

"I’ll be home for Christmas."

"Good." Alpha Henry turned to Vincent. "You’re flying back with me in a few days."

Vincent’s brow tightened. "I’d rather stay in Palo Alto a little longer."

"There’s nothing keeping you here."

"That’s exactly why I want to stay."

Alpha Henry’s gaze sharpened. "All the more reason to come home and spend time with your mother."

Vincent fell silent.

He had never understood the double standard. They shared the same parents, yet Alpha Henry scrutinized every decision he made while allowing Lainey to do whatever she wanted.

Alpha Henry read the frustration in his son’s face but let it go.

Alpha Killian understood perfectly why Vincent wanted to remain in Palo Alto.

A faint, mocking smile touched his lips, but he said nothing.

"Let me know before you leave, Uncle Henry," he said instead.

"I will."

Alpha Henry raised his glass.

"To family, old friendships, and a peaceful holiday season."

The crystal chimed softly around the table.

But Vincent’s gaze remained fixed on the dark window, where Palo Alto glittered beyond the glass.

--

After dinner, the Crawfords returned to the hotel Alpha Henry had booked. He had politely declined Alpha Killian’s offer to stay at the Sterling Estate.

Vincent rode with Lainey. Alpha Henry shared the second SUV with Yale. Yale waited until they were stopped at a red light before speaking.

"I ran into someone this afternoon," Yale said. "At Bellini’s, right beside the Clearhaven. A young woman about Lainey’s age. There was something about her that reminded me of you when you were younger."

Alpha Henry glanced over. "Who?"

"Eira. She was with Lila Sterling."

The name caught Alpha Henry off guard. He paused with his water glass halfway to his mouth.

He had heard the name several times that day, always in connection with Alpha Killian.

The young woman at Bellini’s had to be the same one.

Alpha Henry turned toward the window, watching Palo Alto’s lights slide across the glass.

A woman who looked strangely familiar.

A girl raised without a family name or Pack backing.

Yet Alpha Killian had brought her into the Sterling home, and his parents had apparently welcomed her.

The combination bothered him. Or intrigued him.

"Put together a background report on Eira ," Alpha Henry said. "Quietly. Use proper channels. Don’t spook anyone. I want facts, not rumors."

Yale nodded. "Understood."

"Hold off on the flight home, too. If the schedule allows, I’d like to meet her myself."

"I’ll see what I can arrange."

Alpha Henry was silent for another moment.

"And Serena Winthrop?"

"My people are pulling her file now. You’ll have it by tomorrow."

Alpha Henry gave a brief nod. His expression remained unreadable. He had no personal interest in Serena, but Vincent’s connection to her had already created enough trouble to warrant a closer look.

A few minutes later, Alpha Henry took out his phone and called Luna Seraphina .

Alpha Julian answered first, and soon the conversation shifted to the dinner Alpha Killian had attended with Eira.

Alpha Henry kept his tone light.

"Julian, thank you for sending Killian to keep an old friend company. I hear he’s finally brought someone home to meet the family."

There was a delighted laugh on the other end.

"He did," Luna Seraphina said. "Eira has had dinner with us. She’s wonderful. I used to wonder how my son stayed single for so long. It looks like someone finally got through to him."

Alpha Henry leaned back against the leather seat.

"So it’s serious?"

"I think so. Those two simply fit. Call it fate, call it the Moon’s doing. Either way, I’m not complaining."

"Then congratulations," Alpha Henry said. "It sounds like you may have a daughter-in-law soon."

"From your lips to the Moon’s ears. I only hope Killian doesn’t find a way to ruin it."

Alpha Henry laughed softly. "He does have a talent for making simple things complicated."

After a few more pleasantries, he ended the call.

The SUV continued through the dark city.

Eira.

The name turned over in Alpha Henry’s mind, again and again.