Chapter 6

"How do you know I'll come over?"

"I don't. But the kitchen only cooks for people who are sitting."

"Whose rule?"

"Mine."

Eira stared at him for two seconds, then walked over and sat across from him. Not because of him. Because she was hungry. That was all.

Mostly.

"Are you going to thank me?" he asked.

"For what? Yesterday's slippers or today's bread?"

"Either is acceptable."

"Depends on whether the bread is good. I already thanked you for the slippers. One item at a time."

His mouth moved slightly, as if he had almost smiled and decided it was bad for his brand. "You keep careful accounts."

"It's a habit. For four years, I managed money for a whole family. Every favor given, every debt owed, every unpaid bill. I remember all of it."

"Sounds like work."

"It is." Eira looked toward the kitchen lights. "What's harder is when the owner of the money thinks the work does itself."

The words came out before she could stop them. She looked back at him. "Sorry. You opened a kitchen, not a complaint office."

"I didn't offer dinner," he said. "The kitchen is open. You pay."

Eira paused.

Then she laughed.

It startled her. The sound was small, rough, and real. The first real laugh she had made in what felt like years.

"Fine," she said. "Then I owe you nothing."

His gaze rested on her for a moment. "Good."

Soup and bread arrived, along with butter and a small plate of sliced fruit she had not ordered. Eira ate without pretending elegance. Alpha Killian read his papers and drank cold coffee. The quiet between them did not demand performance. That made it rare.

When the waiter brought the bill, Alpha Killian reached for it.

Eira put her card down first. "No."

His brows lifted.

"You said I pay," she reminded him. "Don't ruin a good rule."

After a pause, he leaned back. "Fair."

The waiter took her card. For some reason, paying for soup felt better than receiving diamonds from Alpha Sebastian ever had.

When she stood, Alpha Killian did not stand too quickly or try to walk her upstairs. He only said, "Good night, Miss Crawford."

"Good night, Mr. Sterling."

His eyes sharpened slightly.

She gave him a tired smile. "Boss, remember?"

--

The next morning, Eira went back to the apartment.

She opened the door. What she saw made her stop cold.

Serena lay stretched across the sofa. She wore thin, see-through clothes. So she had actually stayed.

In the kitchen stood Alpha Sebastian. He had never cooked a day in his life. He was making breakfast for her.

The sight was almost funny.

Alpha Sebastian hated the smell of cooking. He hated it so much that he had vetoed an open kitchen when they renovated, because he didn't want the smell touching his suits.

For four years, Eira had cooked behind a closed kitchen door, so that no trace of it would ever reach him.

Apparently, the rule only applied to her.

"See that?" Serena tilted her chin toward the kitchen. She was proud. "Do you get it now, Eira? This is the real him. You were just—"

She smiled. It was too sweet. "—someone he used until I came back."

She paused. She let her words sink in.

"A stand-in. Nothing more."

"So what?" Eira said. "Are you asking him to end our bond?"

Serena's face showed a quick flash of confusion.

Then she quickly put on her proud face again. She straightened her back. "He will. It's just a matter of time."

"Good," Eira said. "Go ahead."

She meant it. She really wanted him to sign those papers.

Serena clearly didn't expect Eira's answer. She froze. She couldn't get her thoughts in order.

Just then, Alpha Sebastian came out of the kitchen.

He carried a hot cup of mint tea. He saw Eira's face. He stopped for a moment.

"Serena's not feeling well." He explained before Eira could ask. "I'm making her something warm for her stomach."

His fingers were red from the heat. It was likely the first time he had carried something hot without protecting his hands.

He deserved it. Let it burn.

Then he handed the cup straight to Eira. "I'll get a heating pad. Give this to her."

The ceramic cup was so hot, Eira could barely hold it.

Serena lay on the sofa. Her lips curved up. Like she was taking a gift. "Thanks so much, Eira."

Eira held out the cup. Serena reached for it.

The cup tilted a little. A few drops of tea splashed on Serena's hand.

That was all. Not even enough to make a small bubble.

But Serena gasped. Like she had been hit with boiling oil. She quickly pulled her hand back. Her eyes filled with tears.

Her reaction was very fast. Faster than real pain would make it.

"Ah..."

Alpha Sebastian ran over at once. He grabbed Serena's wrist to check it. Then he turned to Eira and shouted, "What happened?"

"She pulled her hand back," Eira said. Her voice was flat.

He didn't believe her.

He looked down at Serena's hand. The few drops of tea were still there. They hadn't even dried.

Then he looked up at Eira. His eyes turned cold.

"You did that on purpose."

Just those five words.

No questions. No proof.

He just decided it was Eira's fault.

Eira calmly put the teacup back on the table. It made a soft sound as it touched the wood.

Behind him, Serena spoke softly. "Sebastian, just forget it... It doesn't hurt that much..."

Her voice shook in just the right way.

That sentence was like a key. It opened the last little bit of doubt Alpha Sebastian had.

"Eira." His voice was low. Like a verdict. "Apologize."

She didn't move.

"I said, apologize."

The air was very still for two seconds.

Eira looked at him. Suddenly, the word "apologize" coming from his mouth seemed more silly than the hot tea.

"Fine," she said. "I'll say sorry."

His face relaxed a little. Then Eira bent down. She picked up the cup she had just put down. It was still more than half full.

"Eira?"

She stood up. She poured all the tea over Serena's face.