Chapter 284 She Chose Herself

Chapter 284: Chapter 284 She Chose Herself

Inside the house, Alpha Killian led Eira down the first-floor hallway, away from the glass doors and the security guards outside.

The sounds from the driveway faded behind them, leaving only the low hum of the heating system and the faint scent of paint.

He stopped beneath a wall sconce and turned to her.

"So that’s all it takes?" he asked. "He gets down on his knees, and suddenly you’re reconsidering?"

Eira frowned. "That’s not what’s happening."

"He kneels in the driveway and makes a scene, and everyone’s supposed to forget what he did?"

"Killian—"

"What’s so special about kneeling, anyway?" His voice sharpened. "Anyone can drop to the ground and beg. Hell, I can do the same thing if that’s what it takes."

Eira stepped closer and placed her hand over his mouth.The words died against her palm.

"Don’t you dare."

Alpha Killian went completely still. His breath warmed her fingers, and the anger in his eyes shifted into something heavier, more intimate.

When Eira began to pull away, his hand closed around her wrist.

Not hard. Just firm enough to keep her there.

Her breath caught.

"Killian," she said, giving him a pointed look. "Let go."

He glanced down at his fingers around her wrist. Her skin was already warm beneath his touch.

Slowly, he released her."Is he still out there?"

"Probably."

"Whether he waits outside or finally walks away is his decision. I’m not changing my plans for him. The movers arrive at eight tomorrow morning. I have packing to finish and a new home to build."

Some of the tension left Alpha Killian’s shoulders.

"Mrs. Jones seems worried you’ll fall for the whole tragic-love routine," he said. "The guilty man ruins everything, kneels in the driveway, and wins the woman back."

Eira looked at him. "I’ve already made that mistake."

His expression tightened again.

"I learned from it," she added. "I’m not making it twice."

The rest of the tension finally eased from his face, though his gaze remained watchful.

"Good." He reached up and lightly brushed a loose strand of hair away from her cheek. "Then go upstairs and get some sleep."

Eira caught his sleeve before he could turn away.

"Killian."

He looked back.

"Thank you for coming."

His expression softened.

"Anytime."

Alpha Killian gave her hair a brief, gentle ruffle, as though she were a stubborn cat he had finally managed to calm.

"Go."

--

Outside, Alpha Sebastian was still standing in the driveway, staring at the house.

The front door opened again.

Alpha Killian stepped onto the porch alone.

Alpha Sebastian pushed himself to his feet. "Where’s Eira?"

Alpha Killian’s gaze dropped to the gravel, then returned to Alpha Sebastian’s face.

"She doesn’t come out, so the performance is over?"

Humiliation burned through Alpha Sebastian, but he had no answer.

"Leave," Alpha Killian said. "Now."

"You don’t get to throw me out, Sterling." Alpha Sebastian gripped the iron gate. "Even if you’re with her, you don’t speak for Eira."

Alpha Killian stepped down from the porch.

"I don’t speak for Eira," he said. "I speak for myself. And I’m telling you to get off my property."

He glanced toward the security team.

Two guards moved in, each taking one of Alpha Sebastian’s arms. They escorted him through the gate and onto the public sidewalk. Once he was outside, the gate swung shut and the lock clicked into place.

Alpha Killian remained on the other side of the bars.

Alpha Sebastian turned back, his eyes red and furious. "You think you can win her?"

"I’m not competing with you."

"Eira is cold. She grew up alone. She needs someone warm, someone who knows how to take care of her. Not some arrogant Alpha who treats people like assets."

Alpha Killian’s eyes narrowed.

"You still don’t understand her."

Alpha Sebastian laughed bitterly. "Plenty of men wanted her before me."

"And?"

"She chose me."

Alpha Killian looked at him calmly."No. She chose the person she wanted to become."

Alpha Sebastian laughed bitterly. "You’re not even worth comparing to me."

"Keep your voice down."

"What, worried she’ll hear the truth?"

"I’m worried you’ll wake her."

That stopped Alpha Sebastian. He looked up at the second-floor window.

For several seconds, neither man spoke.

Alpha Sebastian didn’t leave. He stood rigidly on the sidewalk, staring at the warm light spilling from the windows.

Alpha Killian stayed inside.

As long as Alpha Sebastian remained outside the gate, Alpha Killian wasn’t going to leave Eira alone with a man who had spent years ignoring the boundaries she tried to set.

He settled onto the living-room sofa, one ankle resting over his knee, occasionally checking the security feed on his phone.

Alpha Sebastian was still there, watching the house from across the street.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Jones finished preparing the guest room and returned.

"Alpha," she said carefully.

Alpha Killian looked up.

"There’s a small plumbing issue with the guest bathroom. The shower isn’t getting hot water."

Mrs. Jones hesitated."You could ask Ms. Crawford if you need to use hers."